Full Description
Social Bridges and Contexts in Criminology and Sociology brings together leading scholars to commemorate the illustrious career and enduring contributions of Professor James F. Short, Jr., to the social sciences. Although Professor Short is best known as a gang scholar, he was a bridging figure who advanced the study of human behavior across multiple domains.
Individual chapters document Professor Short's intellectual development and highlight the significance of his theoretical and empirical work in a range of specialty areas, including suicide and homicide, criminological theory, field and self-report survey research methodologies, white-collar crime, hazards and risks, levels of explanation, microsocial group processes, and the etiology of gang violence and delinquency. A special feature of this book is the collection of brief personal reflection essays appearing after the main chapters. Authored by Professor Short's students, colleagues, collaborators, and friends, these essays provide powerful testimonials of the influence of his intellectual legacy as well as his generous spirit and commitment to mentorship.
Written in a clear and direct style, this book will appeal to students and scholars of criminology and sociology, and all those interested in the important contributions of Professor James F. Short, Jr., to these subject areas.
Contents
Part One Intellectual Roots 1. Reflections on Disciplines and Fields, Problems, Policies, and Life 2. James F. Short, Jr.—A Legacy of Integration 3. Jim Short and the Chicago School of Sociology Part Two Early Career Contributions 4. Understanding Lethal Violence: Homicide and Suicide 5. Measuring Individual Behaviors with Self-Reports: The Case of Self-Reported Delinquency Part Three Crowning Insights 6. Core Controversies and Debates in the Study of Gangs 7. Levels of Explanation and the Group Process Perspective 8.Social Observation, Participation, and Ethnography 9. Status Management and Situational Inducements to Violence 10. Collective Action, Rational Choice, and Gang Delinquency: Appreciating Short and Strodtbeck ([1965] 1974) Part Four Novel Applications to Knowledge and Policy 11. Group Process and Knowledge Formation in Context: Gang Delinquency and Mass Atrocity Crimes 12. Government Commissions and the Search for Knowledge: Basic and Applied Part Five Reflection Essays 1. James F. Short, Jr.: A Remembrance 2. How Dr. Short Became Jim 3. Jim Short, All-American Advocate 4. Personal Reflections on the Impact of James F. Short, Jr. 5. I Still Blame Jodie Foster 6. Roads Well Traveled and A Life Well Lived 7. Remembering Jim Short
