These are readings and documentaries that I generally play or assign in class during a regular face to face semester. Some of these are free online and some are accessible through Netflix or Amazon. I am not making them required for this short, online semester, but I am going to place them here for your own exploration. They are Highly Recommended!
Documentaries:
13th. An incredible documentary about policies that disproportionately affect African Americans in the Criminal Justice System in the US. This is a must watch documentary, Available on Netflix.
Miami Mega Jail: Ever wondered what conditions in a typical US jail are like? https://youtu.be/krfcq5pF8u8
Read : Deviance, Crime and Social Control
read chapter 6 of your text
Giddens et al. Essentials of Sociology, 7th Edition. ISBN: 9780393674088
I. As you read Chapter 6, Deviance, Crime and Social Control (from the class textbook), please define the following terms:
• Deviance:
• Sanctions:
• Laws:
• Crimes:
II. As your read the chapter and learn about the broader theoretical explanations of Deviance, reflect on the following concepts:
• Is all crime deviant? Is all criminality Deviant? Please explain your answer
• Describe biological theories of deviance
• Explain psychological theories of deviance
• Generally speaking, what do Functionalist arguments of deviance emphasize?
o Anomie:
o Strain Theory:
o Subcultural explanations:
• How do Interactionist Theories explain deviance?
o Differential Association:
o Labeling Theory:
o Control Theory:
• How do Conflict theories explain crime and deviance?
III. Putting it all together,
• Explain the Great Crime Decline:
• If crime has gone to the lowest in recent history, why do we have so many people incarcerated? Explain the paradox of crime reduction and mass incarceration?