Discuss the approach of all three and give your opinion as to what the law really is.

1. Cesare Lombroso applied the methods of natural science (observation, measurement, experimentation,
statistical analysis) to the study of criminal behavior. Lombroso rejected the classical theory of crime,
associated with Cesare Beccaria and Jeremy Bentham, which explained criminal activity as freely
chosen behavior based on the rational calculation of benefit and loss, pleasure and pain. Critically
analyze both schools of thought and provide an opinion as to what theory you believe is more
relevant.

2. The most inflammatory controversies involve police use of deadly force and excessive physical force.
The cases of Michael Brown and Eric Garner are examples. Police departments have utilized various
strategies to reduce racial discrimination through early warning systems, written policies, and internal
investigations. Some police departments across the country are now using police body cameras –
discuss this policy initiative including the advantages and disadvantages of same.

3. William Chambliss, Oliver Wendell Holmes and Felix Frankfurter examined the foundations of the
Anglo-American legal tradition by focusing on the relationship between law and society. Discuss the
approach of all three and give your opinion as to what the law really is.

4. William Westley’s study looked at policemen operating at the street level. Fogelson’s study focused
mainly on the management level in policing, which has tended to be somewhat cut off from street
level policing. Goldstein’s study examined policing at the political level where a police department
encounters the currents of local government. Critically analyze all three and give your opinion as to
whether you think studies of police should concentrate on the street level, managerial level or at the
political level.

5. In western civilization for the past two thousand years the most common symbol of justice has been
the “Lady of Justice”. She is blindfolded; she holds a scale with balance pans in one hand and a sword
in the other hand. The scale represents the idea that for every offense there must be a punishment of
equal weight. The sword represents the necessity of punishment. In your opinion are prisons an
adequate form of punishment for justice to be served? Discuss.

The book is “Criminal Justice Masterworks” by Robert A. Panzarella and Daniel O’Neal Vona

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