Varieties of Teaching White-Collar Crime

• In Event: Qualitative and Mixed-Method Approaches to White-Collar and Corporate Crime

Abstract

White-collar crime constitutes an assortment of courses, including crimes of the powerful, corporate crime, political crime, and environmental corporate crime, that are fundamental to any criminology or criminal justice curricula. It is apparent to criminologists that crime is not only situated in low-income sectors of our society but is also committed by notorious and affluent actors. Regardless of the importance of white-collar crime, it appears that few institutions regularly offer white-collar crime-related courses, and when they do, students quickly become apathetic to the content. Although white-collar crime courses appear scarce, numerous enthusiastic and distinguished scholars have been able to instruct white-collar crime. This research seeks to contribute to the cumulation of knowledge by identifying the best teaching practices associated with white-collar crime and encouraging institutions to adopt a related course. We have compiled 50 syllabi from members of the White-Collar Crime Division (WCDD) who have instructed the course to ascertain which textbooks are frequently selected, what assignments are assigned, what prominent cases are reviewed, and how they engage students in what appears to be a challenging course to instruct. Additionally, follow-up surveys are sent to participants to explore their experiences, challenges, recommendations, and admonishes when teaching white-collar crime.

Authors

• Megan Parker, University of Colorado Denver

• Mary Dodge, University of Colorado Denver