JS 345 Criminology 2011
Note: You will not know in advance which questions will be selected for the exam so it is advisable to prepare for each question. Remember the exam will be closed-notes and closed-book. Your answers should reflect the breadth of information presented in the class and must incorporate specific material from the course readings whenever appropriate. Please bring a blank blue book to the exam.
One of the essay questions below will appear on your exam, plus there will be a short answer, fill-in-the-blank, multiple-choice, true/false section based primarily on key terms from the text and your notes.
1) Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of at least four sources of information we use to gain knowledge about crime. Be sure to address at least two government sources and the media.
2) Use examples of specific crimes to show how motives and opportunities for crime may be related for each category below:
a) Class
b) Gender
c) Race
d) Age
e) Another form of inequality
3) What does the official data tell us about crime in the U.S. in the last ten years? Discuss at least:
a) Property crime trends
b) Violent crime trends
c) Life-course patterns
d) Victim characteristics
4) Compare and contrast the dynamics of robbery and burglary. Be sure to at least address issues such as:
a) Motives
b) Techniques for choosing targets
c) Decision-making processes for each step
d) Deterrents
5) Discuss the patterns associated with the serial killers, John Wayne Gacy, the Riverside Killer (William Suff), and the Clairemont Killer of San Diego. Be sure to compare them to the general patterns of serial killers discussed in lecture.