Theories of Crime: Chapter 7 beginning of 8

Understanding Turn It In and Plagiarism

  • Turn It In Score: The speaker recommends keeping the plagiarism score below 17%.

    • 21% is acceptable but raises concerns of potential plagiarism.

    • Quotes are acceptable if cited properly, but excessive quoting can lead to suspicion of plagiarism.

Paper Submission and Feedback Process

  • Students can review their work on Turn It In by clicking the score to see specific matches.

  • Reference citations can sometimes be flagged as plagiarism, but do not count if formatted correctly.

  • Expect personal comments in their papers; highlight text to view feedback.

Course Updates and Exam Preparation

  • Upcoming Topics:

    • The class will cover Chapter 8, which will take at least three classes to complete.

  • Next Exam: Set for March 7, covering Chapters 5, 6, 7, and 8.

  • Students are informed of the exam structure, including potential essay questions.

Restorative Justice

  • Concept: Restorative justice emphasizes repairing harm caused to victims and communities through accountability from offenders, focusing on their reintegration into society.

  • Tedious History: It used to be popular in schools but has lost traction, despite some ongoing practices.

  • Personal Testimony: The speaker shares a story about the positive impact restorative justice can have on victims, aiding in their healing.

Sherman’s Defiance Theory

  • Labeling Effects:

    • Labels can lead to defiance or crime based on how offenders perceive these labels.

    • Weak community bonds can lead to increased criminality when individuals feel pride in their label.

  • Policy Implications: Improving support networks and relationships between authorities and potential offenders is crucial.

Coerced Mobility and Mass Incarceration

  • Impact of Mass Incarceration: Primarily affects minority communities, leading to disrupted family units and finances, which increases potential criminality.

  • Labeling by Authority: Important for community reintegration is treating ex-offenders with dignity and respect, recognizing their rights.

Society and the Justice System

  • Procedural Justice: Individuals must see that laws are applied fairly and consistently, without personal bias and that their stories are heard.

  • Recidivism Rates: Restorative justice practices can significantly lower recidivism, from 60-70% to between 20-30%.

Marx and Conflict Theory

  • Class Structure: Bourgeoisie (owners) vs. Proletariat (workers).

  • Marx's Prediction: An inevitable conflict between the classes leading to a revolution where workers take control of production.

  • Capitalism's Flaws: Marx argued that capitalism leads to unjust inequality and exploitation.

  • Capitalism vs. Socialism: Marx favored communal ownership of resources, distinguishing between capitalism, democratic socialism, and communism.

Bonger’s Views on Capitalism and Crime

  • Human Nature: Bonger argues that capitalism distorts human social behavior, leading to competition rather than cooperation, which brings about crime.

  • Impact of Poverty: He acknowledges that the poor commit crimes out of necessity for survival.

Conclusion and Interaction

  • The class ends with an invitation for students to discuss their papers and a reminder about the grade expectations and improvement focus.