Teaching About Criminological Theory and Hate Crime Through Documentary: The Case of Matthew Shepard

Abstract

Introducing students to criminological theory is a major goal of Principles of Criminology classes. Hate crime or "bias crime", however, involves the offenders’ prejudice against marginalized groups, and requires analyses which go beyond what is considered in traditional criminological theories alone. While the use of film can be a powerful tool in...

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Details

Subject Area(s):

Criminology/Delinquency

Resource Type(s):

Class Activity

Class Level(s):

College 200

Class Size(s):

Any

Learning Goals and Assessments

Learning Goal(s):

1. Goal 1: Students gain a deeper understanding of criminological theory by applying key concepts to a real life case.
2. Goal 2: Students learn that hate crime poses challenges to traditional theories, in short, it requires further analysis.

Goal Assessment(s):

1. Assessment 1: Students work in groups to answer discussion questions which ask them to apply key criminological theories to the case and to actions represented in the documentary.
2. Assessment 2: Students must grapple with the limitations of traditional theories. They are then asked to identify factors that they think are important in developing theories about hate crime.