9.4 Conclusion
If you are interested in the field of criminology and criminal justice, there are so many ways for you to engage with and help the field grow. The topics and subfields discussed here are just a drop in the bucket. As the new generation of potential criminologists and criminal justice professionals, you will shape the future of the field. Whether you want to test the theories discussed in this book, help victims and survivors of crime, bring a lens of equity and inclusion to policing, help reform sentencing practices, or build the next great crime prevention program, there is a place for you. If any part of this textbook sparked a passion in you, don’t lose it. Nurture it and be a part of improving the way our society handles harm and safety.
Discussion Questions
- What do you think are the most critical current issues in criminology?
- Can you think of other subfields or branches of criminology that should be developed?
- The criminal justice field consists of way more than just police, courts, and prisons. Given what you have learned about the study of causes of crime, what other institutions or agencies do you think are important to preventing or treating crime?
- Most of the discussion in this textbook focused on criminology in a United States context. In what ways do you think criminological explanations of crime might differ in other countries’ and cultures’ contexts? Can you think of any examples?
License and Attributions for Conclusion
Open Content, Original
“Conclusion” by Jessica René Peterson is licensed under CC BY 4.0.
the study of crime and why it happens
the system that deals with crime and its consequences
legal term describing the violation of a criminal law