Crime, Deviance & Society Short Answer Questions

You will be required to write TWO short answers. Each short answer will be 500 words in length, and worth 20 marks, for a total of 40 marks. A detailed breakdown of what is required for each short answer will be available on vUWS in the ’Learning Zone’ within folders for learning modules.

The Short Answer tasks are linked to Module 1 Positivism, and Module 2: Crime, Place and Strains.  Short answers require learners to engage with all learning materials found within module topics, and as such are evidence that you have actively participated with the activities designed for your learning. This includes attending tutorials, for on-campus students, and completing the online learning program, for fully online students.

Short Answer Question 1

In this first of two short answer questions we want you to think about the four main theoretical perspectives we have covered so far. This includes:

• Classical Theory (Module 1)
• Positivism (Module 1)
• Chicago School (Module 2)
• Strain Theory (Module 2)

Please note that in your tutorials we will spend substantial time on hands-on activities that will see you better understand these theories, please be sure to attend your allocated tutorial for Module 1 and 2. You may reflect on the activities presented in tutorials to partially inform or develop your answer. 

Write a 500 word (+/-10%) short answer response to the following:

• How have theories and explanations for crime changed over time?
• Refering to at least one theory, comment on how this has continued to affect responses and/or policies to crime today? Provide an example.

Your short answer MUST:

1. Make use of at least ONE core theoretical idea from the essential readings from Module 1 and/or 2
2. Provide an example of the current applications of at least ONE theory.
3. Include a reference list at the end of your answer. 

Short Answer Question 2 - Implicit assumptions about crime

In this second short answer question you are asked to conduct a short interview with someone not in this unit to identify their views on crime and deviance. 

Step 1: 

Conduct an interview with someone not in the unit, ask some or all of the following questions:

1. Why do you think people commit crimes? 
2. Do you think people choose to commit crime?
3. What, if anything, do you think might impact whether or not someone commits crime?
4. Did you know crime is often concentrated in poor neighbourhoods, why do you think that might be?
5. According to your personal experiences, do you think everyone in society has the same opportunities to achieve wealth and status?

Step 2: 

Using the responses you have gathered from your interviewee write a 500 word (+/- 10%) response to the following question. 

• What kinds of implicit theories about crime do everyday Australians hold? How do these compare to the explicit theories covered in the unit
• What are some implications or problems with these everyday assumptions about crime and deviance? 

Your short answer MUST:

1. Make use of at least ONE core theoretical ideas from the essential readings from module 1 and 2. 
2. Make references to your interviewees answers, but not be a complete transcript of the interview. 
3. Include a reference list at the end of your answer. 

Essential Readings:

Module 1:

Rodas, A 2020, 'Introduction: Explaining Crime and Deviance', in Crime, Deviance and Society: An Introduction to Sociological Criminology, Cambridge University Press, Port Melbourne, pp. 1 - 23. Available here:https://tinyurl.com/5nx78abc

Ryan, E, and Beckley, B 2020, 'The Origins and Influence of Positivist Thought', in Crime, Deviance and Society: An Introduction to Sociological Criminology, Cambridge University Press, Port Melbourne, pp. 24 - 47. 

Module 2:

Rodas, A 2020, 'Place and Crime', in Crime, Deviance and Society: An Introduction to Sociological Criminology, Cambridge University Press, Port Melbourne, pp. 48 - 76. 

Simpson, M 2020, 'Anomie and Strain', in Crime, Deviance and Society: An Introduction to Sociological Criminology, Cambridge University Press, Port Melbourne, pp. 77 - 99. 

Chapters 3 and 4 Available here: https://tinyurl.com/5nx78abc