International Criminologist to Speak at SHSU

Nils Christie, one of the world's leading criminologists, will present a lecture on his latest book, "A Suitable Amount of Crime," in the Sam Houston State University Criminal Justice Center Courtroom at 1 p.m. on Oct. 11.

Christie's lecture is sponsored by the SHSU International Speaker Series and the College of Criminal Justice's Beto Chair Lecture Series. The lecture is open to the public and free of charge. A reception in the Criminal Justice Center Lobby will follow the presentation.

Reviewers have praised his works, citing that Christie is able to present hard data and analysis with "a magnificent personal quality" and an ease of readability.

"A Suitable Amount of Crime" looks at the great differences between countries in what are considered "unwanted acts." The book examines how many of these acts are considered as criminal and how many are punished. It also describes differences between Eastern and Western Europe and between the United States of America and the rest of the world regarding issues of crime and societal reactions.

Christie, who serves as a faculty member in the Institute of Criminology at the University of Oslo in Norway, visited Sam Houston State University 12 years ago when he presented a lecture on "Crime Control As Industry: Towards Gulags, Western Style."

He is the author of several books and book chapters on crime and punishment, and his works have been published in 14 languages.

His presentation is the second lecture in the International Speaker Series. Suk Ku Song, president of Dongguk University in Korea, presented the first lecture, "Buddhist Reflections on Life and Death," last year at Sam Houston State University.

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Media Contact: Julia May
September 24, 2004
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