Crime History

“Read Makes Me Wanna Holler by Nathan McCall (1994) in its entirety. While doing so, pay particular attention to instances in his life that shape both his
journey to crime as well as his path toward reform. When you have finished, pick a criminological framework that you believe best explains both McCall’s
involvement in street crime and his subsequent rehabilitation. What evidence does McCall’s story provide to support this theoretical explanation? What are
the strengths of the theory as it applies to McCall’s life before, during, and after prison? What aspects from McCall’s life cannot be explained by the
theoretical framework? Based upon the framework you have selected, and drawing upon evidence from McCall’s life story, what can be done to prevent
others like McCall from involvement in urban crime?
In essay form, address the questions raised above by discussing which criminological theory you feel best explains McCall’s descent into crime, as well as
his rehabilitation from crime. Be sure to explain the historical background/context of the theory, outline its causal mechanism(s), and then apply the theory to
McCall while providing evidence from Makes Me Wanna Holler that comports with your theoretical framework. To that end, students should make use of
course readings on their selected theory. In addition to the textbook, each key theory is accompanied by an article (posted on Titanium) relevant to that
theory. Students should make use of these additional readings and may use outside theory books available in the library. Do not rely on Internet-only sources,
as they are not peer-reviewed. Please note that lectures are not quotable sources. Please do not re-type your lecture notes in your essay, as these merely
reflect my words, not yours.
Select one of the following theories to use in your paper: (a) Robert Merton’s Strain Theory, (b) Albert Cohen’s Status Frustration/Reaction Formation, (c)
Travis Hirschi’s Social Bonds, (d) Labeling Theory (can discuss multiple theorists), or (e) Conflict/Behavior of Law Theory (can discuss multiple theorists).”
This Professor is particularly… particular. He made it very clear that the main focus needs to be on the theory we choose, and not the book. References to the
book are necessary; however, he said they’re more-so meant to support the theory we choose, as well as the theory being somewhat of a potential
explanation for the book.