Special Area

Introductory Questions

• What is a crime, and who decides how serious a crime is? Who should?
• Are there countries in which those accused of crimes are guilty until proven innocent?
• How can someone be proven guilty of a crime?
• What acts are considered crimes in some countries but not in others?
• To what degree should citizens be involved in law enforcement?
• Should a person be held responsible for breaking laws he or she doesn’t know about?
• Should non-citizens be tried differently for crimes than citizens?
• Should judges or juries be the ultimate arbiters of guilt or innocence?
• What is the purpose of sending someone to prison?
• Is it ever just to try one person for another person’s crime?
• Is there a difference between a crime and a crime against humanity?
• Is crime more common in certain societies or among certain groups of people?
• Can a criminal be a hero?
• Is there such a thing as “honor among thieves”?
• What is the line, if any, between justice and the law?
• Should the government be allowed to prosecute someone for a crime even if the victim says not to pursue charges?
• What is the difference between terrorism and crime?
• Can something be a crime even if it has no victims?
• Is anyone who breaks the law a criminal?
• What type of acts justify trying someone as a war criminal?
• How should countries address crime that occurs across borders?
• Should all countries follow the same legal code?

The Bad and the Ugly: Understanding Crime and Criminals

• A History of Crime: From Pirates to Phishermen
• The Criminal Mind: Insights from Psychology
• The Criminal in Society: Insights from Anthropology and Sociology
• Crime as Spectacle: Postmodern Perspectives on Criminology

Codes of Misconduct: Prosecution & Punishment

• Hammurabi, Draco, and Other Early Approaches
• Modern Legal Systems: Common | Civil | Religious | Statutory
• Classifications of Crime: Personal | Property | Inchoate | Statutory | Other
• Crime Investigation and Criminal Apprehension
• Courthouse Party: The Judicial Process Around the World  
• Types of Punishment: Deterrence | Retribution | Rehabilitation | Incapacitation
• The International Criminal Court: Crime in a Globalized World

CSI: The Science of… (Examples)

• Fingerprints | Genetic Testing | Blood Spatter | Autopsies
• Scene Recognition & Examination | Sketches | Evidence Collection
• Forensic Entomology | Trace Evidence | Serology | Simulations
• DNA Profiling | Offender Profiling | Forensics

Types of Crime to Research (Examples)

• Felonies vs. Misdemeanors | White Collar vs. Blue Collar
• Theft | Robbery | Burglary | Vandalism
• Assault | Laundering | Extortion | Blackmail | Embezzlement
• Caper | Heist | Conspiracy | Fraud | Larceny | Hate Crimes
• Trafficking | Kidnapping | Classic & Digital Piracy | 419

Notorious Crimes & Capers (Examples)

• The Great Canadian Maple Syrup Heist | The Agricultural Bank of China Robbery 
• Fortaleza Banco Central Robbery | KLM Diamond Heist | Lufthansa Heist
• Salish Sea Foot Mystery | Great Train Robbery

Notable Criminals to Research (Examples)

• Billy the Kid | Robin Hood | Bonnie & Clyde | Al Capone | DB Cooper
• Charles Manson | Charles Ponzi | Frank Abagnale | James Hogue
• Barefoot Bandit | Los Zetas | Zodiac Killer | Postcard Bandit
• Griselda Blanco | Jacques Mesrine | El Chapo | Vassilis Paleokostas
• Jonathan Tokeley-Parry | Philippe Jamin | Patty Hearst | Unabomber
• Moriarty | Hannibal Lecter | Walter White | Dexter | the Joker 

Additional Terms to Learn (Examples)

• Cartels | Mafia | Syndicate | Extradition
• Jury | Reasonable Doubt | Attorneys | Bail | Witnesses
• Types of Pleas | Eyewitnesses | Arraignment | Sentencing
• Alibi | Corrections | Corporeal & Capital Punishment
• Parole | Rehabilitation | Probation | Appeals | Double Jeopardy

Selected Film: Ocean’s Eleven

Additional Questions & Cases to Discuss (Examples)

• Study the Yakuza as an example of criminal organizations around the world. How does this so-called "Japanese mafia" differ from its counterparts in other countries? Is there a role for such organizations in civilized society?
• When and how should technology be used to enable citizens to assist police in solving crimes? Are there ways in which inviting citizen participation could be counterproductive?
• Learn more about the debate over "amber alerts". Some find them to be effective; others believe they only increase public anxiety. How could they be improved?
• Research the death penalty. Is it legal in your country? Does it help reduce crime rates? When, if ever, is it appropriate for the state to execute a person, and, if so, by what means?
• Consider the phenomenally successful Serial podcast (season 1). Is it ever appropriate for the media to sensationalize a crime—or to reopen a seemingly closed investigation?
• Research vigilante justice, including this ongoing Facebook-driven movement in Peru. Is it ever appropriate for citizens to take the law into their own hands?
• Are three strikes laws a mistake?
• Does the Internet increase crime?
• Is it ever appropriate to use racial profiling to help solve or prevent crimes?
• Some studies show that women are committing more crimes than in the past. What might explain this, and is there a difference in the crimes that men and women commit?
• Do you think crime is getting worse in your country? Why do so many Americans believe crime rates are increasing in the United States even though they are lower than ever?