Theory Integrations

6-8 typed pages, double spaced, Times Roman 12 point or Arial 11-point font, essay style, properly

referenced (include a title and reference pages according to APA format)

Respond to questions in an essay format (introduction with a thesis statement, coherent paragraphs

with topic sentences, and clear conclusion)

Include the course text and relevant articles from the syllabus

Use of the first person is acceptable

Sources: Course text, relevant readings in the syllabus, and lecture notes

Reminders:

Whether using a quotation or paraphrased material, you need to include the source, date, and page number. For paraphrased material, you do not need to include the page number (though it is good practice to do so as the reader can easily find it).

Avoid patch-writing, a form of plagiarism: writing that combines your own writing and exact words/phrases from your source. If a paraphrase is too close to the original, and where you have simply substituted words (for example, using a thesaurus), it is best to use quotation marks. Be sure to distinguish between ideas from your source, your summary of those ideas, your interpretation of the ideas which is likely a paraphrase.

Quotations are identical to the original. It is good practice to use a signal phrase to introduce a quote: this is a phrase or clause that provides context for the quote so that it does not simply stand on its own. Here is a helpful source: https://www.thoughtco.com/signal-phrase-grammar- and-composition-1692095

Paraphrasing involves putting source material in your own words, restating and interpreting the original. You still need to provide appropriate citation such as the source, and the date (providing the page number is suggested/useful). Note that you cannot simply place the citation at the end of a paragraph to cover any and all ideas contained in said paragraph.

Summarizing involves condensing the main points/ideas of your source and is often shorter and abbreviated explanation. Because you have borrowed these ideas from a source, you still need to provide appropriate citation as indicated above.

Instructions:

You are to answer 2 questions. For the first, integration and biosocial explanations, there is no choice. For the second, you have a choice of topics. READ QUESTIONS CAREFULLY AS THERE ARE DIFFERENT PARTS YOU NEED TO ADDRESS

You are not required to conduct external research. However, you cannot do well on this assignment without referring to the course text and readings from the syllabus. You are welcome to integrate lecture notes which were recorded

Show the breadth of your knowledge by drawing on multiple sources Question 1: (20 marks)

One of the recurring themes in this course has been integration and the dominance of sociological theories in the discipline. Wilson and Scarpa (2012) note that “although criminology recognizes the influence of numerous factors in predicting and understanding criminal behavior, historically, the field has primarily focused on social factors” (p. 209). Lee (2005) echoes a similar concern that “most theories of criminal behavior continue to focus on learning and social environmental variables” (p. 201). (Note that these are readings 9 and 10 in the course text). Tibbetts and Hemmens (2019) make the case for biosocial approaches as “both genetics and the environment influence behaviour, particularly the interaction between the two” (p. 195).

a) Begin with a discussion of early positivist explanations for criminality and why they were rejected (Section IV begins with Lombroso, followed by IQ tests, and later the work of Sheldon)

b) Present the case for moving beyond nature versus nurture debates and trace (and summarize) the studies (see Section V) that have highlight physiological factors that may contribute to criminality in interaction with environmental or social factors

c) Based on these studies and what you know about offenders (those who deal with mental health and/or addiction and brain injury), discuss how these factors might be integrated into many of our theories. Here, you need to review Section XII and the argument in favour of integration and how criminological theories can benefit from integrating physiological (micro) factors.

d) Choose a theory we covered in the course and demonstrate how you would integrate a bio- factor/variable to add to/expand this theory

e) Conclude with a discussion of challenges involved in integration (also noting the expertise and training of many criminologists)

Question 2: (20 marks)

For this question, you have a choice. Please read the questions carefully. Choose either the feminist question OR the other on critical race perspectives. Feminist contributions/analysis

a) Trace the roots of Critical criminology, beginning with Social reaction/Labelling perspectives, and follow with different critical strands, including their critique of the following: mainstream

criminology and its focus on street crime—and how crime is defined and enforced—the role of

power and law in society.

b) Focus on shared critiques of different feminist criminological perspectives and what their

objectives and contributions are. Reflect on their analysis of the discipline of Criminology, the under-theorization of gender, gendered roles in society, women’s victimization and offending patterns.

c) Follow with a definition and discussion of intersectional feminist perspectives which goes beyond gender. Demonstrate how feminist perspectives can be applied to explain domestic violence and intimate violence in Canada. Despite laws upholding equality and many changes in society, gendered violence continues to be an issue, including homicides, where women are disproportionately victims. See the following statistics: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/85-002-x/2018001/article/54978/02-eng.htm

d) Conclude with a discussion of feminist principles and advocacy as we are experiencing demands for equality and changes in society. For example, the #metoo movement has exposed widespread sexual harassment and sexual assault women experience. In Canada, prominent cases have involved class action suits against the RCMP https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/rcmp-class-action-lawsuit-women-non-policing-roles- approval-order-1.5493266

Critical race perspectives/analysis and contributions

a) Trace the roots of Critical criminology, beginning with Social reaction/Labelling perspectives, and follow with different critical strands, including their critique of the following: mainstream criminology and its focus on street crime—and how crime is defined and enforced—the role of power and law in society.

b) Focus on the origins of Critical race perspectives and how they have progressed to adopt intersectional approaches that go beyond race and/or ethnicity. Reflect on their analysis of the discipline of Criminology, the under-theorization of race, systemic racism and the over- incarceration of Indigenous, and increasing Black males, peoples in Canada and their treatment within the criminal justice system at all levels.

c) Follow with a summary of the article by Reasons, Hassan, Ma, Monchalin and Bige (2016) in the syllabus. Identify key themes and make connections to ongoing issues in society: https://countysustainabilitygroup.com/2020/07/16/prison-watchdog-has-grave-concerns-that- csc-rates-indigenous-black-inmates-as-higher-risk/?shared=email&msg=fail

d) Conclude with a discussion of the relevance of Critical race perspectives and current protests and demands to address inequality, systemic racism, and the need for changes in society. While they emerged after the murder of George Floyd in the US, protests in Canada have highlighted similar issues here in Canada, and the experiences of Indigenous and Black peoples.