Classical criminology

What is the importance of theory in criminology?

Theory organizes our understanding of the empirical world through interrelated definitions and relationships.

Who described criminology as 'the body of knowledge regarding crime as a social phenomenon'?

Sutherland in 1960.

According to T.H. Marshall (1994), what does social theory embrace?

A set of interrelated definitions and relationships that organizes concepts of the empirical world.

How do Berg and Lune (2012) define theories?

As explanations that create coherent narratives to make sense of events.

What approaches can be taken within criminological theory?

A variety of frameworks rather than fully-fledged theories, offering different perspectives.

What factors contribute to the diversity of theories in criminology according to Cullen et al. (2008)?

1. Crime is complicated and multi-dimensional; 2. Interdisciplinary research; 3. Varying value positions prevent dominant consensus.

What are some of the important assumptions in criminology?

Structure vs agency; nature vs nurture; objectivity vs subjectivity.

What format is the Theory essay #1 due?

20% of the grade, due in Week 6 on February 13.

What is the policy regarding AI in this course?

AI is not permitted, and using it will result in failing papers.

When is the final exam scheduled?

In-person, 30% of the grade, in Week 14 on April 8.