Vocab

Question 1

American Exceptionalism

Answer 1

Crimes of violence, especially homicide, occur at a much higher rate in the United States than they do in other technologically developed societies.

Question 2

Moral Panic

Answer 2

Stanley Cohen: when a condition, episode, person or group of persons emerges to become defined as a threat to societal values and interests, even if that threat is exaggerated.

Question 3

Newsmaking Criminology

Answer 3

The attempt to replace the mass media’s biased view of what crimes are newsworthy with the broader context of the seriousness of all socially harmful activities.

Question 4

Mala in se

Answer 4

Evil in itself

Question 5

Mala prohibita

Answer 5

Evil because the law forbids it

Question 6

Nonlegal Management Strategies

Answer 6

Strategies to hand offenses and conflict without a formal legal system (self-help, avoidance, settlement by a third party, tolerance…)

Question 7

5 Definitions of Crime

Answer 7

1. A violation of conduct norms. 2. social harm and analogous social injury. 3. violation of rights. 4. form of deviance. 5. violation of global conduct norms

Question 8

Analogous Social Injury

Answer 8

Legally permissible acts or social conditions that result in 1. bodily harm or death. 2. significant deprivations of food, water, shelter, clothing, medical care, or education. 3. intentional or structural limitations of political and/or social partcipation.

Question 9

Extraordinary Rendition

Answer 9

The practice of sending a foreign criminal or terrorist suspect covertly to be interrogated in a country with less rigorous regulations for the humane treatment of prisoners.

Question 10

Enlightenment

Answer 10

The period following the judicial dark ages. Mid 18th Century France. Voltaire, Montesquieu, Helvetius, Kant…

Question 11

Social Contract

Answer 11

Enlightenment period. Citizens must surrender a measure of their individuality so the government can enforce laws in the interest of the common good. (Pull over for sirens).