CJ AU Criminology Unit 8 Professor Shane Kelley

Welcome to Our Final Seminar! No seminar next week, only Discussion Board No seminar next week, only Discussion Board Thoughts on the class? Thoughts on the class? Congrats on your hard work and making it this far! Congrats on your hard work and making it this far!

Unit 9 To Do List Reading – Chapter 9 Reading – Chapter 9 Watch the Unit Video Watch the Unit Video Seminar Seminar Powerpoint Final Project Powerpoint Final Project *No quiz or Discussion Board *No quiz or Discussion Board

Final Powerpoint Analysis Expectations At least 6 slides (not including title and reference slides) At least 6 slides (not including title and reference slides) You can use outside resources (at least 1 is required to support your arguments) You can use outside resources (at least 1 is required to support your arguments) Select at least two theories from two separate units within the course (for example, one theory from the unit discussing the Choice theories, and one theory from the unit discussing the Trait theories. DO NOT select theories from the same unit of study, i.e., two theories from the Choice theories). Select at least two theories from two separate units within the course (for example, one theory from the unit discussing the Choice theories, and one theory from the unit discussing the Trait theories. DO NOT select theories from the same unit of study, i.e., two theories from the Choice theories). Describe the basic elements of each theory, including what the theory considers to be the major factors that cause crime Describe the basic elements of each theory, including what the theory considers to be the major factors that cause crime Compare and contrast the similarities and differences between these two theoretical perspectives. Compare and contrast the similarities and differences between these two theoretical perspectives. Describe any improvements that are needed to enhance each theory. (For example, you might discuss the belief that certain research designs are needed in order to generate necessary information in criminological inquiry; or the belief that new theories are needed altogether; or the belief that components of certain theories should be integrated or combined to form a ‘new and improved’ theory; or finally, you may believe that new questions need to be asked regarding the causation of crime.) Describe any improvements that are needed to enhance each theory. (For example, you might discuss the belief that certain research designs are needed in order to generate necessary information in criminological inquiry; or the belief that new theories are needed altogether; or the belief that components of certain theories should be integrated or combined to form a ‘new and improved’ theory; or finally, you may believe that new questions need to be asked regarding the causation of crime.) Be sure to follow the checklist given under the unit 9 final project tab Be sure to follow the checklist given under the unit 9 final project tab

Critical Criminology Critical criminology is aimed at identifying “real” crimes in U.S. society Critical criminology is aimed at identifying “real” crimes in U.S. society It seeks to evaluate how criminal law is used as a mechanism of social control It seeks to evaluate how criminal law is used as a mechanism of social control It describes how power relations create inequities in U.S. society It describes how power relations create inequities in U.S. society It is concerned with the conservative control over American domestic and foreign policy It is concerned with the conservative control over American domestic and foreign policy Crime is defined by those who hold power Crime is defined by those who hold power

Origins Began during the social upheaval of the 1960s Began during the social upheaval of the 1960s Critical of positivist criminology Critical of positivist criminology Embraces the notion that unequal distribution of power and wealth produce crime Embraces the notion that unequal distribution of power and wealth produce crime

How Critical Criminologists Define Crime A political concept designed to protect the power and position of the upper classes and the expense of the poor A political concept designed to protect the power and position of the upper classes and the expense of the poor Criminals are products of the society and its economic system Criminals are products of the society and its economic system To control crime, a society must remove the social conditions that promote crime To control crime, a society must remove the social conditions that promote crime

The Cause of Crime The key crime-producing element of modern corporate capitalism is the effort to increase surplus value The key crime-producing element of modern corporate capitalism is the effort to increase surplus value Worker produces goods that exceed wages in value – profit – capitalist keeps profits – Uses profits to buy machines and replace workers – Workers make less and buy less – economic crisis Worker produces goods that exceed wages in value – profit – capitalist keeps profits – Uses profits to buy machines and replace workers – Workers make less and buy less – economic crisis

Globalization The process of creating a global economy through transnational markets and political and legal systems The process of creating a global economy through transnational markets and political and legal systems

Instrumental Theory Sees criminal law and the criminal justice system as capitalist instruments for controlling the lower class Sees criminal law and the criminal justice system as capitalist instruments for controlling the lower class Enables the powerful to impose their morality of standards of behavior on the entire society Enables the powerful to impose their morality of standards of behavior on the entire society

Structural Theory Based on the belief that criminal law and the criminal justice system are means of defending and preserving the capitalist system Based on the belief that criminal law and the criminal justice system are means of defending and preserving the capitalist system

Critique of Critical Criminology Neglects the capitalist system’s effort to regulate itself Neglects the capitalist system’s effort to regulate itself Fails to address conflicts in socialist countries Fails to address conflicts in socialist countries Fails to explain why some highly capitalist countries have low crime rates Fails to explain why some highly capitalist countries have low crime rates

Emerging Forms of Critical Criminology peacemaking criminology – –critical feminist theory – –power-control theory

Left Realism Approach that sees crime as a function of relative deprivation under capitalism and favors pragmatic, community- based crime prevention and control Approach that sees crime as a function of relative deprivation under capitalism and favors pragmatic, community- based crime prevention and control Represents a compromise between conflict and traditional criminology Represents a compromise between conflict and traditional criminology

Critical Feminist Theory Approach that explains both victimization and criminality among women in terms of gender inequality, patriarchy, and the exploitation of women under capitalism Approach that explains both victimization and criminality among women in terms of gender inequality, patriarchy, and the exploitation of women under capitalism Explains gender bias, violence against women, and repression Explains gender bias, violence against women, and repression

Power-Control Theory The view that gender differences in crime are a function of economic power and parental control The view that gender differences in crime are a function of economic power and parental control Girls are controlled more closely than boys in traditional male-dominated households and there is gender equity in contemporary egalitarian homes Girls are controlled more closely than boys in traditional male-dominated households and there is gender equity in contemporary egalitarian homes

Peacemaking Criminology Approach that considers punitive crime control strategies to be counterproductive and favors the use of humanistic conflict resolution to prevent and control crime Approach that considers punitive crime control strategies to be counterproductive and favors the use of humanistic conflict resolution to prevent and control crime Offers a new approach to crime control through mediation Offers a new approach to crime control through mediation

Critical Theory and Public Policy Seek to reduce conflict and competition in society Seek to reduce conflict and competition in society Reduce harsh punishment of offenders Reduce harsh punishment of offenders

Restorative Justice Using humanistic, non-punitive strategies to right wrongs and restore social harmony Using humanistic, non-punitive strategies to right wrongs and restore social harmony

Principles of Restorative Justice Crime is an offense against human relationships Crime is an offense against human relationships Victims and the community are central to justice processes Victims and the community are central to justice processes The first priority of justice processes is to assist victims The first priority of justice processes is to assist victims The second priority is to restore the community The second priority is to restore the community The offender has personal responsibility to the victims and to the community The offender has personal responsibility to the victims and to the community The offender will develop improved competency and understanding The offender will develop improved competency and understanding

Restoration Programs negotiation negotiation mediation mediation consensus building consensus building peacemaking peacemaking sentencing circles sentencing circles sentencing panels sentencing panels

Balanced and Restorative Justice (BARJ) The justice system should give equal weight to offender accountability, competency development, and community protection The justice system should give equal weight to offender accountability, competency development, and community protection

Concerns about Restorative Justice Is it a political movement or a treatment process? Is it a political movement or a treatment process? Must be wary of cultural and social differences Must be wary of cultural and social differences No single definition No single definition Must balance the needs of offenders with those of the victims Must balance the needs of offenders with those of the victims Benefits may only be short-term Benefits may only be short-term

Questions