The Criminology Behind Hardcore and Celtic Punk

• In Event: Poster Session I

Abstract

Punk Music remains a popular music genre. Despite its popularity, this music genre also illustrates concepts associated with criminological and sociological thought. In this paper, we offer ideas for college students to assess, dissect, and analyze the Punk music genre in two subgenres: Hardcore and Celtic Punk. Drawing on class examples, this paper illustrate how Punk songs can be used among college students to evaluate lyrics and symbolism associated with this music genre. In this paper, songs from the following bands: Flogging Molly, Dropkick Murphy's, The Pogues, Black Flag, Madball and Dead Kennedys will be used to illustrate how these songs, and their ideologies, can be used to illustrate Rational Choice, Social Disorganization, Social Learning, Social Control, Subcultural and Critical Criminological Theories. More importantly, these songs also cover other criminological and sociological related topics such social inequality, social stratification, and demonization of “nonconformist” rebellious youth.

Authors

• Brandon Millinghausen, Arcadia University

• Favian Guertin-Martin, Arcadia University