SOC205H5 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Jeremy Bentham, Rein, French Revolution
Document Summary
Intrinsically interesting (solving riddles and mysteries; questioning what we think we know; the most interesting area within criminology, law and. Affects, and is affected by, policy and society, affects the laws and practices we develop and we have to be able to challenge those practices. Rich and long tradition, but also ongoing and dynamic, theories go back to the 17th century, but we also have new developing theories all the time, theories reflect their time period. Intellectual historical approach, understanding theories in their historical time. Sometimes criminology theory is about which individuals commit crime and why they do it (and/or what stops them) Other theorists are interested in the social construction of crime and criminals (including which actions are made illegal, and how law is differentially enforced); unpacking the role of the state in producing (and re- enforcing) power and inequality. Some theorists focus on how crime and punishment shape society, and how society shapes crime and punishment.
