Part 1: 50 points1.In chapter 10 Brown et.al. refer to a number of “debates” revolving around recent developments in Criminological theory. Pick one of these new developments to consider for this essay. How could anyone object to this particular new theoretical perspective? Characterize the nature of the debates regarding the usefulness or validity of this approach. Describe the policy implications of these debates? Choose one of the authors featured in the 3 Strikes Issue in Hickey’s book and indicate how you think that author would feel about the policy implications of the theory you chose to examine. Provide support for your assertions.2.Imagine that your Senator has just written an editorial piece in your local newspaper announcing that he wants to end all federal grants which are used to fund “the development of criminological theories”. He feels, in his words, that: “It is a waste of time and money to support those bleeding-heartliberals who sit around theorizing about the causes of crime. We don’t need theories to stem the tide of increasing crime; we need to get tough, “lock up the bad guys, and throw away the keys”. Respond to this hypothetical situation with a hypothetical letter to the editor either supporting or disagreeing with this politician’s position. Remember that neither the Senator or the readers of the newspaper are criminologists. You will need to educate them about the status of research and theory in the field of criminology and how it relates or does not relate to public policy. Whatever position you take, offer support from the texts.3.On page 187, Hickey mentions a legal aphorism that states: “hard cases make bad law”? What do you think this aphorism means and how does it relateto the 3 Strikes issue? Do you think that Hickey is taking a side in the debate? Ifso, whatdo you think his position
is? How would you evaluate thisposition?What would be the argument from the other side of the issue? Whatdo you think Quinney and other “Peacemaking” criminologists would say aboutthe 3-strikeissue?Provide support for your arguments.Part 2: 50 pointsUtilizing any of the various developmental or integrative theories discussed in Chapter 10 as your theory of crime causation, explain some actual instance of criminal behavior. You may choose an act or acts that you have heardabout in the popular press, use your personal observations, or draw upon your memory of personal experience for the incident or incidents you would like to explain using thistheoretical model. (It would probably be best not to divulge information for which you could be libel for criminal prosecution, if you use your own experience. While I will hold your work in complete confidentiality, if for some reason I were subpoenaed, I could not legally refuse to answer questions posed by law enforcement officials.) Write a 4-6-pagetypewritten essay. First, describe the criminal behavior. Secondidentify the theory and show why you think it is useful in explaining this case. Third, discuss those areas where the theory may be problematic. Lastly, describe the policy or interventions implications of your theory and speculate how the appropriateinterventions might have eliminated or mitigated the behavior in your case. How does your recommendation square with existing research? If there is no theory which you finduseful, provide a detailed explanation for your conclusion, and include specific examples of why you think existing theories are inapplicable or not useful. Be specific and concise in addressing the requested information in this question.Your grade will reflect the quality of your organizational format, your writing content, and how your ideas are expressed. Avoid slang and “personal” observations. Provide correct citations as necessary.
