This comprehensive anthology takes readers on an excursion from "past to present," reviewing classic
and contemporary contributions and showing how current theories are opening new and exciting doorways into understanding
crime. Students are introduced to the foundations of criminology and the competing theories that will shape thinking
about crime in the years ahead.
The new edition of Criminological Theory includes 14 new selections, ranging from classic works by Beccario
and Reckless to recent selections on social disorganization, deterrence, critical, and control balance theories.
Two new sections have been added: "The Origins of Modern Criminology" and "Developmental Theories:
Crime and the Life Course." Many of the other sections have been substantially revised. The section on biological
and psychological theories, for example, now includes recent work by Ellis, Walsh, Rowe, Caspi, Moffitt, Brennan,
Raine, and others.
New introductory essays provide overviews of the different theories and perspectives and their relationship to
one another. The reader is divided into twelve sections, each covering a major theoretical approach to the study
of crime. Each section begins with a classic statement of the theoretical approach, after which a selection from
contemporary theories is presented. This eases instruction because students are able to trace how criminological
thinking develops -- witnessing how scholars "stand on the shoulders of the giants" in the field to see
differently, if not farther.
The 47 articles included in Criminological Theory are accessible to undergraduates. Each section features
an introduction that explains the essentials of the theoretical approach to be covered. Further, each individual
reading also offers an introduction that alerts readers to key points and integrates the selection into the larger
theme of the section. These introductions serve as a useful "road map" as students travel through the
ongoing intellectual developments, diverse views, and continuing debates that make the study of criminological
theory an exciting adventure.
Criminological Theory is well-suited for a variety of courses in criminology and criminological theory.
