Welcome to Week 5!

Overview

This week we will focus on some of the more modern Classical School related theories (Neoclassical) that emphasize a common theme: Individuals commit crime because they identify certain situations and/or acts as beneficial due to the perceived low risk of punishment and perceived likelihood of profits, such as money or peer status. The theories we will examine this week are the modern versions of the important assumptions, concepts, and propositions currently in use in virtually every system of justice in the Western world. Two theories, Rational Choice theory and Routine Activities theory, will be discussed in detail.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of the week, you will be able to:

• Discuss how neoclassical theories emerged from classical theories.
• Explain the main propositions of the Rational Choice Theory.
• List the three key elements of routine activities theory.
• Summarize the impact that the Neoclassical perspective had on modern criminal justice systems
• Identify some of the policy implications that have been implemented based on the neo-classical theoretical framework.

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Workflow

Reading:

Chapter 2 in Tierney, J. (2009). Key perspectives in criminology. McGraw-Hill Education: https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/bmcc/reader.action?docID=480635&ppg=15

You can download a copy of the chapter here:

Key_Perspectives_in_Criminology_-_2_Administrative_Criminology

Videos:

Routine Activities Theory

Situational Crime Prevention

Focus on Places, Not People, to Prevent Crime | Joel Caplan | TEDxStocktonUniversity

INFOGRAPHIC

TWENTY-FIVE TECHNIQUES OF SITUATIONAL PREVENTION

25-techniques-grid

Discussion Forum

Discussion Forum 5: CPTED

PowerPoint