Theories of Crime: A Reader

Designed as a stand-alone or for use with Curran & Renzetti's Theories of Crime, 2/e (Allyn & Bacon, © 2001), this reader contains excerpts from criminologists' writings on many of the most recent sociological, biological, and psychological theories of crime.

 

Editors Renzetti, Curran, and Carr have compiled one of the most thorough books on the market in terms of presenting diverse theoretical perspectives. They offer introductions to each theory, briefly outlining the theory's strengths and weaknesses, and provide a set of discussion questions at the end of each theory. Excerpted readings were chosen for their accessibility to all students.

Claire M. Renzetti, Ph.D. is the Judi Conway Patton Endowed Chair in the Center for Research on Violence Against Women, and Professor and Chair of the Sociology Department at the University of Kentucky. She is co-editor with Jeffrey Edleson of the Interpersonal Violence book series for Oxford University Press; and editor of the Gender and Justice book series for University of California Press. She has authored or edited 21 books as well as numerous book chapters and articles in professional journals. Much of her research has focused on the violent victimization experiences of socially and economically marginalized women. Her current research includes an evaluation of a horticultural therapy program at a shelter for battered women, studies examining the relationship between religiosity and intimate partner violence perpetration and victimization, an evaluation of coordinated community services for human trafficking victims, and an evaluation of a human trafficking training program for law enforcement officers. Dr. Renzetti has held elected and appointed positions on the governing bodies of several national professional organizations, including the Society for the Study of Social Problems (President), the American Society of Criminology (Executive Officer), the Eastern Sociological Society (Treasurer), and Alpha Kappa Delta, the sociological honors society (President). She has been honored by the Women and Crime Division of the American Society of Criminology with the Saltzman Award for Contributions to Practice, an award that recognizes a criminologist whose professional accomplishments have increased the quality of justice and the level of safety for women. She is also the 2011 recipient of the Lee Founders Award from the Society for the Study of Social Problems in recognition of significant lifetime achievements in research, teaching, and service leading to the betterment of human life. In 2014, she was inducted into the Alumni Wall of Fame by the University of Delaware Alumni Association.