Criminology, by its very nature as a non-disciplinary field of research and scholarship, has always relied on theoretical perspectives, derived from external disciplines and bodies of literature, for its constant renewal. The editors of New Directions for Criminology chose to consult scholars from outside the criminological community to demonstrate how the latest theoretical work in their field can be made fruitful for criminology. All contributors are familiar with the fundamentals of criminological theories and research, and all are well placed to clearly make the connections between the cutting edge of their field of research and its potential for criminology. New Directions for Criminology makes a distinction between papers that elaborate on the usefulness of particular theories and perspectives for criminology, and papers that outline particular research themes which will be of interest to those working within the broader criminological community. Contents include: Why Criminal Law? Why Break It? If Broken, Then What?' - Criminology and Assemblage Theory - Criminology and Deleuzoguattarism - Criminology and Lacan's Psychoanalytical Approach - Criminology and Forms of Life - Foundations and Origins as Criminological Objects - Criminological Conversations - Criminological Tribes.

As the U.S. Congress has steadily evolved, so too has our understanding of the institution. New Directions in Congressional Politics offers an accessible overview of the current developments in our understanding of America’s legislative branch. Jamie L. Carson helps students bridge the gap between roles, rules, and outcomes by focusing on four themes woven throughout: the importance of electoral considerations, legislators’ strategic behavior to accomplish objectives, the unique challenges of Congress as a bicameral institution, and the often-overlooked policy outputs of the institution. This book brings together leading scholars of Congress to provide a general overview of the entire field. Each chapter covers the cutting edge developments on its respective topic. As the political institution responsible for enacting laws, the American public regularly looks to the U.S. Congress to address the important issues of the day. The contributors in this volume help explain why staying atop the research trends help us better understand these issues.

This major new book brings together leading researchers in the field in order to describe and analyse internationally significant theoretical and empirical work on offender supervision, and to address the policy and practice implications of this work within and across jurisdictions. Arising out of the work of the international Collaboration of Researchers for the Effective Development of Offender Supervision (CREDOS), this book examines questions and issues that have arisen both within effectiveness research, and from research on desistance from offending. The book draws out the lessons that can be learned not just about ‘what works?’, but about how and why particular practices support desistance in specific jurisdictional, cultural and local contexts. Key themes addressed in this book include: New directions in theory and paradigms for practice Staff skills and effective offender supervision Different issues and challenges in improving offender supervision The role of families, ‘significant others’ and social networks Understanding and supporting compliance within supervision Exploring the social, political, organisational and historical contexts of offender supervision Offender Supervision will be essential reading for academics, undergraduate and postgraduate students, policy makers, managers and practitioners interested in offender supervision.