Advancing critical criminology through anthropology

Thesis Abstract

Abstract
Critical criminology and anthropology have long been engaged in interdisciplinary dialogues, yet there remains untapped potential for advancing critical understandings of crime, justice, and social control. This research project aims to bridge the gap between critical criminology and anthropology by exploring how the integration of anthropological perspectives can contribute to a deeper understanding of the complexities of crime and its control. By drawing on ethnographic methods, participant observation, and critical analysis of power relations, this project seeks to illuminate the ways in which social structures, cultural practices, and historical processes shape experiences of crime and justice. Through a comparative analysis of diverse cultural contexts, this research will shed light on the commonalities and differences in the ways that crime is defined, perceived, and responded to across societies. Additionally, this project will critically examine the role of the state, institutions, and social actors in the construction and enforcement of criminal laws and policies. By situating crime within broader social, economic, and political contexts, this research seeks to challenge dominant discourses and offer alternative frameworks for understanding crime and justice. Ultimately, this project aims to contribute to the advancement of critical criminology by integrating anthropological insights and methodologies into the study of crime and social control.