Criminology
A Sociological Understanding
by Steven E. Barkan
8th Edition
Publisher: Pearson
Book Details
| Print ISBN | 9780137636181 |
| eText ISBN | 9780137636174 |
| Publisher | Pearson |
| Publishing Year | 2023 |
| Edition | 8th Edition |
| Language | English |
| Pages | 999 |
In an era defined by shifting public perceptions, complex policy debates, and evolving legal frameworks, understanding the structural origins of criminal behavior has never been more critical. Criminology: A Sociological Understanding 8th Edition delivers a powerful, award-winning analysis that moves far beyond simple individualistic explanations of lawbreaking. By placing crime directly within its broader social context, this text challenges readers to examine how systemic forces, community dynamics, and institutional structures shape deviant behavior. This foundational text helps students develop a critical sociological imagination, serving as an essential academic guide for anyone seeking to comprehend the complex, reciprocal relationship between society and justice in modern times.
In Criminology: A Sociological Understanding 8th Edition, Steven E. Barkan utilizes a distinct sociological framework to dissect the multifaceted nature of crime and victimization. The text systematically explores how critical demographic variables, including race, ethnicity, social class, and gender, influence both the commission of crimes and the subsequent administration of justice. Rather than merely cataloging criminal acts, the author investigates the historical origins of criminal law, the social patterning of illegal behaviors, and the varying theoretical perspectives that attempt to explain them. Through this lens, readers gain a deeper appreciation of how societal structures dictate our definitions of deviance. This comprehensive approach encourages students to look beneath the surface of sensationalized media headlines and political rhetoric to uncover the systemic inequalities that perpetuate crime.
Designed with student engagement in mind, this textbook features compelling pedagogical tools, real-world controversies, and international comparisons that bring criminological theory to life. This updated edition integrates the latest research, contemporary crime statistics, and discussions on modern criminal justice reform, making it highly relevant for undergraduate courses. Instructors and students alike will find that utilizing the Criminology: A Sociological Understanding 8th Edition PDF provides a flexible, highly accessible way to interact with these vital concepts. By encouraging a critical evaluation of traditional punitive policies, the text empowers future criminologists, sociologists, and policymakers to advocate for evidence-based solutions that address the root causes of crime rather than just its symptoms.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Criminology and the Sociological Perspective
- • The Sociological Perspective
- • The Mutual Relevance of Sociology and Criminology
- • The Rise of Sociological Criminology
- • Criminal Law: Theoretical Underpinnings and Goals
- • Consensus and Conflict in the Creation of Criminal Law
- • Goals of Criminal Law
- • Criminal Law: Origins, Types of Crime, and Criminal Liability
- • Research Methods in Criminology
Chapter 2: Public Opinion, the News Media, and the Crime Problem
- • Public Opinion about Crime: Laying the Groundwork
- • Overdramatization of Crime by the News Media
- • Effects of Media Coverage
- • Research on Public Beliefs About Crime and Punitiveness
- • Research on Views about Criminal Justice
Chapter 3: The Measurement and Patterning of Criminal Behavior
- • The Uniform Crime Report and the National Incident-Based Reporting System
- • National Crime Victimization Survey
- • Self-Report Studies
- • Recent Trends in U.S. Crime Rates
- • Geographical, Seasonal, and Climatological Patterning of Criminal Behavior
- • Social Patterns of Criminal Behavior
Chapter 4: Victims and Victimization
- • Geographical Patterns and Crime Characteristics of Victimization
- • Social Patterns of Victimization
- • Victim–Offender Characteristics
- • Understanding Victimization: Situational Explanations
- • Understanding Victimization: Individual Traits
- • Costs and Consequences of Victimization
- • Victims in the Criminal Justice System
Chapter 5: Classical and Neoclassical Perspectives
- • The Historical Context of Classical Criminology
- • The Classical School of Criminology
- • Neoclassical Criminology and Rational Choice Theory
- • Deterrence Theory and Research
- • Situational Crime Prevention
Chapter 6: Biological and Psychological Explanations of Crime
- • Biological Explanations of Crime
- • Genetic and Neurochemical Factors
- • Psychological Explanations of Crime
- • Personality and Intelligence Theories
- • Policy Implications of Individualistic Explanations
Chapter 7: Sociological Explanations of Crime: Anomie and Strain
- • Durkheim, Anomie, and Social Integration
- • Merton's Strain Theory
- • General Strain Theory
- • Subcultural Theories of Strain
- • Policy Implications of Strain Theories
Chapter 8: Sociological Explanations of Crime: Social Ecology and Subcultures
- • The Chicago School and Social Disorganization
- • Modern Social Disorganization Theory
- • Subcultural Theories of Crime
- • The Code of the Street
- • Policy Implications of Social Ecological Theories
Chapter 9: Sociological Explanations of Crime: Learning, Control, and Life-Course Theories
- • Social Learning Theories
- • Differential Association and Social Learning
- • Social Control Theories
- • Social Bonding and Self-Control
- • Life-Course and Developmental Theories
- • Policy Implications of Learning and Control Theories
Chapter 10: Conflict, Feminist, and Critical Perspectives
- • Labeling Theory and Deviancy Amplification
- • Conflict and Radical Criminology
- • Feminist Criminology
- • Critical and Postmodern Perspectives
- • Policy Implications of Critical Theories
Chapter 11: Violent Crime: Personal and Interpersonal Violence
- • Homicide and Assault
- • Robbery
- • Rape and Sexual Assault
- • Domestic Violence and Intimate Partner Abuse
- • Hate Crimes
Chapter 12: Property Crime: Economic Crimes and Theft
- • Burglary and Larceny-Theft
- • Motor Vehicle Theft
- • Arson
- • White-Collar and Corporate Crime
- • Organized Crime
Chapter 13: Policing, Courts, and the Criminal Justice System
- • The Development of Modern Policing
- • Police Discretion and Behavior
- • The Court System and Sentencing
- • The Prison System and Mass Incarceration
- • The Death Penalty Debate
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- Criminology: A Sociological... | Rent | 9780137636181 - eCampus.com
- Criminology: A Sociological Understanding, 8th edition - BooksRun
- Criminology: A Sociological Understanding (8th Edition) - eBook
- Criminology: A Sociological Understanding [8 
- Criminology: A Sociological Understanding - Barkan, Steven
- Criminology : a Sociological Understanding : Steven E. ...
