CRJS 2001 Walden University Theory and Crime Prevention Discussion
Learning Resources
REQUIRED RESOURCES
Readings
Walsh, A., & Jorgensen, C. (2018). Criminology: The essentials (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
- Chapter 1, “An Overview of Crime and Criminology” (pp. 1–21)
Criminology: The Essentials, 3rd Edition by Walsh, A.; Jorgensen, C. Copyright 2018 by Sage College. Reprinted by permission of Sage College via the Copyright Clearance Center.
Walsh, A., & Jorgensen, C. (2018). Criminology: The essentials (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
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- Chapter 4, “The Early Schools of Criminology” (pp. 64–82)
Criminology: The Essentials, 3rd Edition by Walsh, A.; Jorgensen, C. Copyright 2018 by Sage College. Reprinted by permission of Sage College via the Copyright Clearance Center.
Walsh, A., & Jorgensen, C. (2018). Criminology: The essentials (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
- Chapter 5, “Crime as Choice: Rationality, Emotion, and Criminal Behavior” (pp. 83–99)
Criminology: The Essentials, 3rd Edition by Walsh, A.; Jorgensen, C. Copyright 2018 by Sage College. Reprinted by permission of Sage College via the Copyright Clearance Center.
Walsh, A., & Jorgensen, C. (2018). Criminology: The essentials (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
- Chapter 6, “Social Structural Theories” (pp. 100–120)
Criminology: The Essentials, 3rd Edition by Walsh, A.; Jorgensen, C. Copyright 2018 by Sage College. Reprinted by permission of Sage College via the Copyright Clearance Center.
Walsh, A., & Jorgensen, C. (2018). Criminology: The essentials (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
- Chapter 8, “Critical and Feminist Theories” (pp. 141–161)
Criminology: The Essentials, 3rd Edition by Walsh, A.; Jorgensen, C. Copyright 2018 by Sage College. Reprinted by permission of Sage College via the Copyright Clearance Center.
Walsh, A., & Jorgensen, C. (2018). Criminology: The essentials (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
- Chapter 9, “Psychosocial Theories: Individual Traits and Criminal Behavior” (pp. 162–181)
Criminology: The Essentials, 3rd Edition by Walsh, A.; Jorgensen, C. Copyright 2018 by Sage College. Reprinted by permission of Sage College via the Copyright Clearance Center.
Walsh, A., & Jorgensen, C. (2018). Criminology: The essentials (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
- Chapter 10, “Biosocial Approaches” (pp. 182–202)
Criminology: The Essentials, 3rd Edition by Walsh, A.; Jorgensen, C. Copyright 2018 by Sage College. Reprinted by permission of Sage College via the Copyright Clearance Center.
Discussion: Theory in Practice
You may be wondering how the behavioral and criminological theories covered in your readings this week relate to your criminal justice professional practice.
If you ascribe to the equation that a person will choose whatever meets a need or brings pleasure unless deterred, whether legal or illegal, then you may consider your working environment in a particular way. Or, you may view such a scenario differently through the perspective that the choices available in society influence the choices any individual might make.
In this Discussion, you consider how to apply theory in criminal justice practice.
To prepare:
Your Instructor will point you to a current event that relates to a criminological theory or theories. Or, your Instructor may provide the opportunity for you to contribute your own contemporary example.
BY DAY 3 OF WEEK 4
Post:
- Describe the theories that are relevant to the current event your Instructor has chosen or to the example you contributed.
- How does the concept of personal responsibility affect your view of the role that theories play in the current event or in the example you contributed?
- To what degree does viewing this criminal justice–related event through a criminological theory better prepare you to address crime as a current or future professional?
- How might viewing the event through a criminological theory affect your efforts toward social change?
BY DAY 5 OF WEEK 4
Respond to at least two colleagues:
- Choose a response that is different from your own.
- Explain how your colleague’s position has changed your perception or understanding.
SUBMISSION AND GRADING INFORMATION
Grading Criteria
To access your rubric:
Week 4 Discussion Rubric
Post by Day 3 of Week 4 and Respond by Day 5 of Week 4
Assignment: Theory and Crime Prevention
This week, you focused on the overlap, and differences, between criminology and criminal justice practice. In this Assignment, you write a paper that provides the opportunity for you to demonstrate your understanding of these concepts and how they are related.
BY DAY 7 OF WEEK 4
Submit a 600- to 850-word paper in which you address the following:
- Explain how the classical school of criminal theory differs from the positivist school of criminal theory, ensuring an accurate description of each school within your comparison. (100–150 words)
- Next, explain whether society’s laws are based on the classical theory, the positivist theory, or both. Provide three examples. Then, explain the degree to which society’s laws serve as sufficient deterrents for crime. (200–350 words)
- Choose a crime that has occurred in the last 12 months in your community, state/province/region, or nation. Based on the classical school theory, explain what change could have occurred to prevent this crime from happening. Based on the positivist school theory, explain what change could have prevented this crime from happening. (300–350 words)
SUBMISSION AND GRADING INFORMATION
To submit your completed Assignment for review and grading, do the following:
- Please save your Assignment using the naming convention “WK4Assgn+last name+first initial.(extension)” as the name.
- Click the Week 4 Assignment Rubric to review the Grading Criteria for the Assignment.
- Click the Week 4 Assignment link. You will also be able to “View Rubric” for grading criteria from this area.
- Next, from the Attach File area, click on the Browse My Computer button. Find the document you saved as “WK4Assgn+last name+first initial.(extension)” and click Open.
- If applicable: From the Plagiarism Tools area, click the checkbox for I agree to submit my paper(s) to the Global Reference Database.
- Click on the Submit button to complete your submission.
Grading Criteria
To access your rubric:
Week 4 Assignment Rubric
Check Your Assignment Draft for Authenticity
Submit Your Assignment by Day 7 of Week 4