The Routledge Companion to Criminological Theory and Concepts

The Routledge Companion to Criminological Theory and Concepts is a one-stop reference guide, designed to introduce students and scholars to the wide range of criminological theories and conceptual themes, explaining their emergence, context, evolution and current status.

Part I: Foundations of Criminological Thought and Contemporary Revitalizations

Part II: The Emergence and Growth of American Criminology

Part III: From Appreciation to Critique

Part IV: Late Critical Criminologies and New Directions

Part V: Punishment and Security

Part VI: Geographies of Crime

A comprehensive one-stop reference text, The Routledge Companion to Criminological Theory and Concepts (the ‘Companion’) will find a place on every bookshelf, whether it be that of a budding scholar or a seasoned academic. Comprising over a hundred concise and authoritative essays written by leading scholars in the field, this volume explains in a clear and inviting way the emergence, context, evolution and current status of key criminological theories and conceptual themes.

The Companion is divided into six historical and thematic parts, each introduced by the editors and containing a selection of accessible and engaging short essays written specifically for this text:

• Foundations of criminological thought and contemporary revitalizations
• The emergence and growth of American criminology
• From appreciation to critique
• Late critical criminologies and new directions
• Punishment and security
• Geographies of crime

Comprehensive cross-referencing between entries will provide the reader with signposts to later developments, to critiques and to associated theoretical developments explored within the book, and lists of further reading in every entry will encourage independent thinking and study. This book is an essential reference work for criminology students at all levels and is the perfect companion for courses on criminological theory.