Classical criminology

.> makes some notes on your discussion

.> add your names and student numbers

.> Upload to Week 1 "Discussion" notes

folder in Brightspace

CRCJ 2100 - Criminological

Theories

.> builds on CRCJ 1000; explores competing

concepts of crime, criminals, criminalization.

.> What is theory? Why is it important?

Social theory, according to TH Marshall (1994), 'embraces a set of interrelated definitions

and relationships that organizes our concepts of and understanding of the

empirical world in a sys t ema ti c way'

Berg and Lune (2012) observe, "[tJheories are explanations" that attempt \0 make sense

of a puzzle or event through "co he rent na rr a tiv es" (20).

McCotter (2001) explains, theories do not "direct [us] to one particular place, but giv (e] a

va r ie ty of choices and directions ... Theory is open to different perspectives, as well as

'short cuts' or 'scenic routes', each essential to the whole picture" (3) .

.> systematic, coherent approach

.> concepts I ideas lexplan ations

.> require argumentation

.> always partial, contestable, fragmented

,> grounded in the material, empirical wo r ld (research)

Social theory, according to TH Marshall (1994), 'embraces a set of interrelated definitions

and relationships that organizes our concepts of and understanding of the

empirical world in a systematic way'

Berg and Lune (2012) observe, "[t]heories are explanations" that attempt to make sense

of a puzzle or event through "coherent narratives" (20).

McCotter (2001) explains, theories do not "direct [us] to one particular place, but giv[e] a

variety of choices and directions ... Theory is open to different perspectives, as well as

'short cuts' or 'scenic routes', each essential to the whole picture" (3) .

.> systematic, coherent approach

.> concepts { ideas {explanations

.> require argumentation

.> always partial, contestable, fragmented

.> grounded in the material, empirical world (research)

what counts as criminological theory?

"Criminology is the body of knowledge regarding crime as a social

phenomenon." -Sutherland, 1960

"". criminology has been a seedbed for a set of perspectives rather

than fully-fledged theories: approaches which offer a framework or

concepts rather than, necessarily, a set of hypotheses or a general

theoretical account" (pg2).

Assumptions

.> structure vs agency; distribution of crime; nature vs nurture;

objectivity vs subjectivity; competing definitions of crime, harm,

insecurity.

Methods

.> different 'objects' of research and analysis.

Implications

.> what is to be done?

...."" "'mo , ...... ,

Lectures - admin

.> Brightspace

.> submissions and marking

•

.> prezi

.> syllabus / office hours

DT1721 Tuesdays, lpm-2pm

.> Lectures

.> Start time - gam

.> format

.> Required texts, readings etc

.> Notetaker needed, pis email me:

jeffrey.monaghan@carleton.ca

•

va ua Ion

Group discussions and attendance 10% on-going

Theory essay 1 20% Wk 6 (Feb 13)

F¥I: Theory essay #1 opt-out.

Mid-term (In-class)

Theory essay 2

Final exam (In-person)

20% Wk 8 (Feb 27)

30% Wk 14 (April 8)

200/0 TBA - Final exam

period

Email and AI policies

.> Email and AI policies for this course are outlined in

the Syllabus.

Emails

.> pis keep mgs brief

.> if you miss class, pis don't email me wI requests to

cover what was missed

AI policy

.> I'll spare you the moralizations and just say: AI is not

permitted in this class. If you use the plagiarism and

property theft machine, I will fail your papers.

Diversity of theories

Cullen et al. (2008) argue that criminology has

experienced 'unprecedented theoretical diversity' for

three reasons.

1. There is increasing recognition that 'crime' is a more

complicated, multi-dimensional, mutating phenomenon

than even criminologists thought.

2. Criminology is undergoing the latest wave of inter-

disciplinization with scholars from a variety of

backgrounds researching different aspects of the

problem of crime.

3. Value defined positions, whether liberal, conservative

or radical in nature ensure that 'a comfortable theoretical

consensus does not emerge'

.> provides a plurality of explanations; none of which are

dominant

For next week:

Week 2 Classical criminology and rational

• Notes for discussion uploaded to Week 1 "Discussion" notes folder CRCJ 2100 - Criminological Theories.

• Builds on CRCJ 1000; explores concepts of crime and criminalization.

• Theory is important as it organizes our understanding of the empirical world:

  • T.H. Marshall (1994): "a set of interrelated definitions and relationships".

  • Berg and Lune (2012): "Theories are explanations" that create coherent narratives.

  • McCotter (2001): Theories offer choices and directions, are open to perspectives.

• Criminology involves diverse frameworks rather than single theories.

  • Sutherland (1960): Describes criminology as knowledge about crime as a social phenomenon.

  • Important assumptions: structure vs agency; nature vs nurture; competing definitions of crime.

• Lectures on Brightspace includes admin details, marking schemes, and submission formats.

• AI use is prohibited; plagiarism will lead to failure.

• Theoretical diversity based on complex nature of crime, interdisciplinary approaches, and varying value positions.

  • No dominant theory emerges, providing plural explanations.