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Criminology CRIM 3000

Criminology CRIM 3000. Charles Faupel. Defining Crime and Criminology. Lecture One. Looking Ahead…. The Problem of Definition Perspectives Guiding Definitions of Crime The Subject Matter of Criminology History of Criminological Thought . Crime: The Problem of Definition.

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Criminology CRIM 3000

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  1. CriminologyCRIM 3000 Charles Faupel

  2. Defining Crime and Criminology Lecture One

  3. Looking Ahead…. • The Problem of Definition • Perspectives Guiding Definitions of Crime • The Subject Matter of Criminology • History of Criminological Thought

  4. Crime: The Problem of Definition • Why define crime? • Crime is a term that is used very loosely in our society—important to distinguish between crime and all other behavior. • Good definition also allows us to make important distinctions among behaviors defined as criminal • The problem is that crime may be defined differently, depending on one’s perspective and approach

  5. To Begin: A Legal Definition “Those behaviors which violate the criminal code in a jurisdiction.”

  6. Perspectives on Crime I: Natural Law Perspective Morality Law • Natural law directs attention to the issue of law vs. morality • Morality = the body of rules for human conduct that exist apart from human cultural definition • Law = the body of rules that have been codified and are enforced • Morality and law represent separate intersecting domains

  7. Natural Law Perspective (cont.) • Two perspectives on the source of natural law • Theological Perspective • Natural law is part of created universe • God is the source of this creation • Secular Perspective • Natural law is universal in human reasoning • Does not recognize a transcendent creator • For both, crime (immorality) is that which violates these absolute, unchanging principles

  8. Perspectives on Crime II: Cultural Determinism Model • Understands the evaluative nature of acts strictly within the cultural context in which they take place • Crime is that behavior that violates specific cultural norms • Cultural determinism model assumes a consensus of values and ideals within any given culture • These norms do, however, vary across a number of dimensions

  9. Cultural Determinism Model:Dimensions of Norms • Two important continua • Formal - Informal • Folkways - Mores • Four dimensions of variation • Time • Cultures/Societies • Political Jurisdictions • Situation

  10. Perspectives on Crime III:Societal Definition Model • Grounded in the conflict perspective in sociology • Rejects the notion that there is a consensus of values and norms in society • Holds a pluralistic view of society in which there are competing ideas of right and wrong • Not all segments of the population have equal ability to impose their definitions of right and wrong

  11. Societal Definition Model (cont.) • Crime is that which represents a threat to the values of those who have access to political power—not of the consensus of society as a whole. • Becker refers to these powerholders as moral entrepreneurs • Typically, therefore, society usually focuses on “crime in the streets” (vs. “crime in the suites”)

  12. The Subject Matter of Criminology: Disciplines Involved • Criminology in the 21st Century has become a highly interdisciplinary enterprise • Several disciplines have emerged to play key roles: • Sociology • Psychology • History • Politicl Science • Law • Economics • Biology

  13. The Subject Matter of Criminology:Sociological Content • Part of a larger field of study called Social Deviance • Deviance takes many non-criminal forms, such as obesity, mental illness, etc. • Sociologists generally identify deviant acts, deviant ideologies, and deviant attributes • Criminology is the study of deviant acts which are formally defined as criminal

  14. History of Criminological Thought Late 1700’s 1830’s Late 1800’s 1930 1940 1960 1970 1980 Classical Cartographic Biological/ Chicago East Coast Social Process Conflict Rational Theory School Psychological School School Theories; Theory; Choice Positivism Labelling Sociobiology Theories Theory

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