1. Part of Beccaria’s ideas incorporate the notion of the social contract. Explain what this is in detail. What are your thoughts on this idea of the social contract? Now that you are aware of this idea, how do you participate in this social contract? What are the advantages and disadvantages of being part of the social contract within Canadian society?

2. Describe Beccaria’s ideas on punishment with regard to the following: certainty, celerity and proportionality. How are these ideas relevant and not relevant to crime and punishment today?

1. Explain Bentham’s ideas about pain and pleasure. What are your thoughts on these ideas? Bentham argues that the result is greatest happiness for greatest number since with everyone seeking out of their own self-interest in happiness, part of a person’s happiness is bound to the happiness of others, thus it is in our own self-interest to seek happiness. Do you see this happening in society? In the criminal justice system?

2. According to Bentham, laws and punishments are to ensure the principle of "greatest happiness for the greatest number". Encompassed within this is the idea of majority rules. Explain this principle, then discuss this principle with regard to issues that may arise when considering people who might find themselves in a minority position within society.

1) Define atavism. What did Lombroso say about this with regard to crime? What socio/politico/cultural factors explain the popularity of his ideas of atavism and crime at the time he wrote them? How do these ideas apply today (think about the discussion in class)? Cite examples of how it does apply today.

2) Explain how Lombroso’s ideas are deterministic. Explain how this then relates to issues of punishment and rehabilitation? Do you agree/disagree with these ideas? Explain.

1) Explain why it is that Kellor is for the most part not discussed in standard criminology theory textbooks? Note: sources are available for this but not in the theories covered in a classical crim. theory course. What are your thoughts on her and others like her not being included in textbooks of today?

2) What explanation does Kellor provide in order to understand the crime amongst Black women in terms of social and environmental factors? How has this or how has this not changed looking at today’s situation with this population group.

1. Explain in detail Durkheim’s concept of anomie. What norms is he referring to? Do you agree or disagree with this idea? Explain. Identify some problems with his idea of anomie. How has his conception of anomie affected your life, i.e. do you see evidence in the society in which you have lived and are living of his ideas of anomie?

2. What are the functions of crime according to Durkheim? What are the assumptions of society underlying this? Do you agree/disagree with his idea that crime is necessary? Explain. 

1. Explain in detail Merton’s concept of anomie. What norms is he referring to? Do you agree or disagree with this idea? Explain. Identify some problems with his idea of anomie. How has his conception of anomie affected your life, i.e. do you see evidence in the society in which you have lived and are living of his ideas of anomie?

2. Explain in detail Merton’s typology, providing real life examples during the time he devised it as well as today. What are you according to this typology and why? Have you ever been one of the other types for any period of time? Do you wish to be in another adaptation, why/why?

1. Subculture theories tend to focus exclusively on youth. Why does the issue of deviancy and youth appear to go hand in hand? Consider this in terms of the time period of when the subculture theories we have explored were developed but also considering today, and consider this in terms of the criminal justice system and in terms of society in general.

2. There are several theories on subcultures. Considering the issue of social class, what are some of the different ways some theorists have viewed subcultures? Focus on at least 2 theorists, not necessarily those discussed in the textbook, and compare/contrast them. Explain why there has been so little focus on youth of the middle or upper social classes. Consider this in light of the fact that you/your friends engaged in deviant/illegal acts during your youth. What does this tell you about society?

For these questions, do not make assumptions about issues pertaining to social class and youth – you need to find sources for your claims about these topics as you answer the questions.

1. Explain how delinquency may be found in low income, visible minority neighbourhoods but that this does not mean that delinquency is inherent in those community members, drawing upon Frazier’s work and related work. How do you feel about this – do you agree/disagree and why?

2. Why is it that the vast majority of criminologists are white males in the past and still today? Why was Frazier’s work controversial? How is racism still prevalent in the work of criminologists? How do you feel about this racism?

1. Using yourself as the explanatory example, describe/explain the techniques of neutralization as developed by Matza, first in general terms then referring to yourself. Then explain these techniques as they relate to human nature issues of rational behaviour and free will. Do you believe that criminals use such techniques? Explain how these ideas are relevant and are not relevant to issues of crime.

2. Using yourself as the explanatory example, describe/explain the social bonds as noted by Hirschi, first in general terms then applying these to yourself. Do you believe that criminals are lacking social bonds? Explain. How might this theory apply differently to adult criminals versus juvenile delinquents?

1. Explain in detail Tannenbaum’s social reaction process, the "dramatization of evil". Considering today’s time period, how does the criminal justice system and society enact this process, drawing upon concrete examples (be sure to cite these)? Explain how you agree or disagree with Tannebaum's idea that society creates the delinquent/criminal. Apply this idea to yourself.

2. Much of Tannenbaum’s criminology studies were of organized crime, unlike the theorists of his day. Provide a description of the time period in which he developed his ideas, and of the crimes of this time period, and how this related to his ideas. Why were these crimes not the focus of other theorists’ or of society in general during this time?

1. Explain how conflict theory is the foundation for Becker’s theory and other labelling theorists, referring to issues of power, social class and other relevant related concepts. Who are the moral entrepreneurs, rule creators and rule enforcers in today’s society as compared to when Becker wrote his ideas and theory – what are the differences/similarities? Using a real world current example, provide an explanation of an activity that is being labelled deviant/criminal by a moral entrepreneur(s) or rule creator(s), and rule enforcer(s).

2. Explain the labelling theory and process according to Becker. Thinking about yourself and applying Becker’s ideas and theory about deviance (as opposed to the other labelling theorists), describe an instance(s) when you have been called something due to a deviant activity you engaged in, in effect being given a label, and how you came to accept this label and acted out of this label.  Reflect on what this tells you about this theory.