The most accessible and comprehensive book for criminological theory courses available today
Criminological Theory: A Text/Reader provides the best of both worlds—substantial but brief authored sections on all of the major course topics, followed by carefully edited, policy-oriented, original research articles covering criminological theory from past to present and beyond. The 39 articles reflect both classic studies and state-of-the-art research. Pedagogical tools include the helpful "How to Read a Research Article" before the first reading, article introductions, photographs, and discussion questions that capture student interest and help them develop their critical thinking skills.
Key Features
- Presents a succinct overview of criminological theory in the book’s Introduction, which also briefly describes the organization and content of the book
- Includes a “How to Read a Research Article” guide tied to the first reading in the book, a perfect introduction to understanding how real-world research is organized and delivered in the journal literature
- Offers a "mini-chapter” introduction for each Section with figures, tables, and photos that present and illustrate basic concepts while providing a background for the readings that follow
- Includes three to six well-edited readings in each Section that highlight the policy implications of the research, vividly responding to the “So what?” question of how criminological theories apply in the real world
- Provides key terms, Web resources, and thought-provoking discussion questions for each reading and each Section to help students master the content and sharpen their critical thinking skills
Stephen G. Tibbetts, currently a Professor at California State University, San Bernardino, has been pursuing an understanding of criminal offending for over the past two decades. He has attempted to discover the extent to which individuals’ inherent dispositions and attitudinal traits contribute to their offending decisions, especially in relation to other factors, such as demographic, developmental, and situational factors. Dr. Tibbetts’ research has included work on the differences between men and women in their decisions to commit deviant behavior, as well as their perceptions of risk and consequences of getting caught. His additional research interests include the effects of perinatal disorders as an influence in future criminality, the etiology of white-collar crime, and gang intervention. Dr. Tibbetts has published nine books and more than 50 scholarly papers examining various issues in criminology. He received the 2011 Outstanding Professor Award at CSU, San Bernardino. He previously worked extensively as an Officer of the Court in providing recommendations for dispositions of numerous juvenile court cases from 1997 to 2008.
Craig Hemmens is Department Chair and Professor in the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology at Washington State University. In addition to being the editor for the SAGE Text/Reader Series in Criminology/Criminal Justice, he has published several books, including
Law, Justice and Society (Oxford University Press, ©2012),
Legal Guide for Police (Anderson, ©2011) and
An Introduction to Criminal Evidence (Oxford University Press, ©2009). He holds a J.D. from North Carolina Central University School of Law and a Ph.D. in Criminal Justice from Sam Houston State University. He served as the President of the Association of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS) from 2012 to 2013.
