SOC109 Lecture 2
(SOC109 Lecture 2 (20249), p.6)
Criminologists are interested in crime, but often disagree on its causes and consequences.
- How media looks at crime. [1]
(SOC109 Lecture 2 (20249), p.6)
Historically, Criminology was multidisciplinary.
- Sociology is the mother discipline of Criminology.
- There are others as well like Anthropology, etc.
(SOC109 Lecture 2 (20249), p.6)
Contemporary Criminology is more interdisciplinary.
- We work across disciplines to achieve the same effect of trying to understand criminology.
- More of a field than a discipline. Like history, focused on criminology. Or anthro, on crime, etc.
(SOC109 Lecture 2 (20249), p.11)
Consensus definitions are essential to assess the nature and extent of crime in our society.
- If we can define something through consensus, issues in society and under the lens of Criminology can be understood much better.
(SOC109 Lecture 2 (20249), p.13)
there was a lack of clarity and consistency in how journalists discuss gangs.
- Gang is just thrown around by these media outlets. There is no exact definition by them.
What is a Crime?
(SOC109 Lecture 2 (20249), p.14)
What is a Crime?
- It is socially constructed.
- Zemiologists
- It is most times illegal. Perpetrators are criminals, and are criminalized.
- Definition of crime does not capture deviant acts.
- Offences can be:
(SOC109 Lecture 2 (20249), p.16)
Several acts can violate commonly held mores or folkways but still not be criminal.
- Folkways
- Mores
- John Hagan's Typology of Deviance
- Sociologically thinking about Criminology.
- Certain things are now illegal. Others are now legal.
- In SOC109 crime and deviance is considered sociologically.