Questions for First In-Class Exam
Anticipated Structure
There will be two parts to the exam: a set of more specific questions, and a
set of more general questions. You will be required to answer one or more
questions from each set. The exact number you are asked to answer will depend on
which specific questions get included in the exam.
Unless you notify me otherwise and we come to an agreement, you will be writing these on the computer.
Understanding These Questions
These questions are provided as examples of the types of questions
you might see on this exam. They are provided so that you can get a flavor of
the types of questions that are going to be provided. The questions appearing on
the exam may all come from this example set, or none may come from the example
set, or some may come.
SPECIFIC EXAMPLES
In what ways did the position of Fastow within Enron, and the roles he played in Enron's accounting fraud, align with key assertions made by Weisburd et al. in their model of white collar crime impacts?
(2/3) In what ways does the argument of Abolafia about cycles of excess vs. regulation, and as discussed in relation to the Enron case (see handout) point us in very different direction from Weisburd et al.'s model for explaining the degree of harm that can be caused by white collar criminals? (1/3) Could you see how these two models could be integrated, and support that argument based on details from the Enron case?
Define at least three of Hirschi's bonds, and give an example indicator for each, and describe the process whereby the strength of the bond influences delinquency.
(1/3) How did Hirschi operationalize delinquent behavior? (2/3) What are the theoretical implications of that operationalization?
According to Hirschi, does the feathering come before the flocking or the flocking before the feathering? Explain.
According to Hirschi, what is the connection between social class and delinquency
In the case where several police officers pursue and stop a vehicle with three male suspects of color in it, and proceed to severely beat the three when they are caught, what loops of emotional entrainment would Collins say are relevant? What specific mechanisms would be use to describe the sequence.
Argue for or against: Collins model is too dependent on micro-level sequences of interaction to provide serious prediction about violence.
According to the GTOC, what causes crime? How adequate do you think this explanation is?
How do Gottfredson & Hirschi explain the relationship between crime and age?
Do you think Gottfredson & Hirschi are successful in their attempt to unite classical and positive schools of criminology?
GENERAL EXAMPLES
Are white collar crimes like accounting fraud different from or similar to street crimes like armed robbery. Focus on the crime, not the criminal.
Do you think some people are more likely to commit crimes? Explain, being sure to use sources from the course.
For two of the three books you have read so far which addressed interpersonal crimes, describe the model of human nature assumed by each.
At this point a) do you consider yourself more a "positive criminologist" or a "classical criminologist" or neither? Explain the reasoning for your position.
Argue for or against: criminological theories spend too much time on the "causes of causes" of crime.