(schedule, assignments, and links for second exam)
Note: Other internet assignments might be added during the semester
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October 8 What Causes Crime? Individual Approaches
The reading for this week begins our look at the question of �what causes crime?� Most people simply assume that �criminals� are somehow different from �normal� people and that is why they �break the law.� But how are they supposedly different � is it genetic and/or biological or is it psychological? Many criminological theories have been advanced that draw on biological and psychological concepts. Not surprisingly, these theories are rarely applied to corporate criminals.
>> Read: Individual Approaches PowerPoint
Note: You should start reading Crime and the American Dream this week (see Comments)
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October 15 What Causes Crime? Sociological Approaches
The reading for this week introduces a sociological approach to explaining crime. This approach rejects the notion that criminals are �different� and seeks to explain crime as a result of social circumstances. Think about The London Hanged � were the displaced peasants biologically/psychologically defective, or did they �risk the hanging tree� because of their circumstances (no jobs, no money, no food, no future!). Similarly, are corporate criminals defective, or does corporate greed naturally generate crime.
>> Read: Sociological Approaches PowerPoint
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October 22 Crime in America: The US as a �criminogenic society�
This week we discuss the book Crime and the American Dream, where the authors argue that the traditional "American Dream" of wealth, status, and success leads to �anomie� - a social and cultural condition that encourages cheating, predatory behavior, and even violence in the pursuit of success. The authors argue that anomie causes both street crime and corporate crime.
The US consistently has among the highest homicide rates in the world, and the fear of homicide leads to draconian responses like the death penalty. The FBI SHR demo will give us a peek at real data on who kills who in America. The SHRs show that most homicides are not felony-related stranger homicides (by sociopathic �criminals�). Most homicides involve family/friends/neighbors killing each other as a result of arguments, alcohol, and a handy weapon (mostly handguns).
>> Download and study the SHR Demo PowerPoint
>> Read: CAD Chaps 1 & 2 PowerPoint
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October 29 More on Crime and the American Dream
>> Read: CAD Chaps 3, 4, 5 PowerPoints: Chap 3 Chap 4 Chap 5
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November 5 Review and Exam 2
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