Assignment:
Discussion: Applying Theory to Criminal Justice Events
Criminological theories are systematic explanations for observed phenomena. That is, criminological theories rely upon either research experiments or real-life events to test their validity. In this course, you do not need to conduct full research experiments; but, you do need to conduct basic research and consume research done by others in order to effectively plan, prepare, and act upon real-life criminal justice events in your career. Theories also guide consumers of research in organizing concepts, developing strategies, and interpreting data; things you will utilize in other courses throughout this program of study.
Prepare for this Discussion by selecting a criminological theory and a particular criminal event or type of crime. Think about how this theory could be used to analyze the criminal event or type of crime.
(PLEASE USE A CURRENT EVENT OR TYPE OF CRIME FROM THE UNITED STATES)
Question 1:
Identify the criminological theory and the criminal event/type of crime you selected.
Explain how this criminological theory might be used to analyze the criminal event or type of crime you selected.
Explain why you think this criminological theory is or is not appropriate for analyzing this criminal event or type of crime.
Explain how this theory could be applied in order to prevent the criminal event/type of crime you selected.
Question 2:
Considering international or domestic terrorism, what theory or theories do you think best explain terrorist behavior? Support your stance for your rationale.
Required Readings
Schram, P. J. (2017). Introduction to Criminology. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc.
Chapter: Social Structure Theories of Crime INote: You should revisit the chapters from the previous module before completing the
Discussion. In addition, you can browse other chapters to help you understand criminological theories better.
Introduction to Criminology, 2nd Edition, by Schram, P. J. Copyright 2017 by Sage College. Reprinted by permission of Sage College via the Copyright Clearance Center.
McLaughlin, E., & Muncie, J. P. (Eds.). (2013). Sage dictionary of criminology. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc.
Sage dictionary of criminology (Third Ed.), by McLaughlin, E., & Muncie, J. P. Copyright 2013 by Sage Publications Ltd. Reprinted by permission of Sage Publications Ltd., via the Copyright Clearance Center.
Identify the Key Elements or Tenets of a Criminological Theory
Required Readings
Tillyer, M. S., & Eck, J. E. (2011). Getting a handle on crime: A further extension of routine activities theory. Security Journal, 24(2),
Laureate Education (Producer). (2018). Personality disorders [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author
Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 8 minutes.
Accessible player --Downloads--Download Video w/CCDownload AudioDownload TranscriptCredit: Provided courtesy of the Laureate International Network of Universities.
Laureate Education (Producer). (2018). Origins of criminal behavior: Psychological factors [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author
Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 5 minutes.
Accessible player --Downloads--Download Video w/CCDownload AudioDownload TranscriptCredit: Provided courtesy of the Laureate International Network of Universities.
Apply a Criminological Theory to a Crime/Criminal
Required Readings
Smith, T. R., Langenbacher, M., Kudlac, C., & Fera, A. G. (2013). Deviant reactions to the college pressure cooker: A test of general strain theory on undergraduate students in the united states. International Journal of Criminal Justice Sciences, 8(2), 88-104.
Evaluate a Criminological Theory and Apply it to Crime Prevention
Required Media
Stockholm Symposium. (2015, Jun 24). Routine activities, transit crime, and situational crime prevention [Video file].
Center for Problem-Oriented Policing. (n.d.). A theory of crime problems.