Varieties of Criminology

While there is disagreement among the authors about whether criminologists are developing new theory or circulating old theory, their contributions in this reader demonstrate the emerging plurality in criminological discourse, revealing continuities and discontinuities between old and new.

Whether criminologists position themselves in the left or right of the field, the reality common to their work involves a reconsideration of virtually all of our past theoretical journeys in criminology. This book captures the range of criminological thinking today, and provides a picture of a dynamic discipline in transition. Chapters consider contemporary theoretical development and discussion, focusing on street crime, youth and identity, and crime and social control in relation to questions of gender, class, race, learning, and culture. While there is disagreement among the authors about whether criminologists are developing new theory or circulating old theory, their contributions in this reader demonstrate the emerging plurality in criminological discourse, revealing continuities and discontinuities between old and new.