Soci 2301: Criminology

 

Here are various materials that elaborate on the ideas and materials covered in the course. Enjoy.

Syllabus (Spring, 2008)

 

 

Class Topics

 

Definitions of crime

Social construction of crime

 

Theory, measuring crime

UConn's Uniform Crime Report

FBI's Uniform Crime Report

Biological theories, crime in the U.S.

Article by Scarr & McCartney. It lays out the basic logic of how genetic * environmental interactions through which people "create their own environments."

Sourcebook of Criminal Justice Statistic

Bureau of Justice Statistics

 

Psychological theories, serial murders

Temi Moffitt's homepage

Summary of Moffitt's theory

A biographical article about Michael Ross

 

Rational choice theory, death penalty

The "truth" about DNA & the death penalty, from the Colbert Report

Description of the death penalty in the U.S.

Inmates on Connecticut's death row

Deterring prostitution

 

Social control theories, drugs

Robert Sampson's homepage

Sampson & Laub review article.

Costs of a felony in CT

Alcohol and tobacco as more dangerous than pot, ecstasy

The faces of crystal meth--before and after drug use

Students for Sensible Drug Policy

An hilarious drinking prank

World' largest beer pong game

The economics of selling drugs

 

Social learning theory, burglary

Funny places to hide your money

 

Strain theories, culture of fear

Robert Agnew's homepage

 

Labeling theory, gun control

A funny example of labeling

 

Situational & ecology theories, broken windows

Essay on broken windows theory

 

Race theories

How not to get arrested (Chris Rock)

 

Gender and crime

 

Conflict theory