On the individual level of explanation, biological and psychological theories will be evoked to understand criminal behavior. The application of principles of psychology and psychotherapy in criminal justice settings will form part of this discussion. Societal explanations of crime will also be discussed. In this perspective crime is viewed as an outcome of institutional arrangements. Political, social, and economic institutions create a structure which provides for the designation of some behavior as criminal and the treatment of some individuals as criminals.
Crime is a product of government social control and of power relations in society.
In this regard, the contribution of culture to crime, particularly American capitalist culture, will also be a subject of discussion. Finally, a critical, philosophical view of the evolution of the modern prison system will be undertaken from the perspective of the French philosopher Michel Foucault. The role of discipline in the construction of the modern individual will be the focus of study. The overall goal of this course is to introduce students to how the discipline of criminology addresses the issue of crime. Max Weber and Emile Durkheim.