Professor A's Class: Let's Talk About Gangs & Criminal Networks

Let’s Talk About Gangs & Criminal Networks is a weekly educational podcast that explores how history, geography, culture, and policy intersect to shape our understanding of gangs and organized street life. Each episode unpacks key themes from criminology and justice studies—territory and space, surveillance, identity, social structure, and inequality—through real-world case studies, research, and storytelling. From Chicago’s early neighborhood gangs to the NYPD’s controversial database and New Orleans’ legacy of systemic neglect, Professor A guides listeners through how definitions, data, and lived experience collide in the politics of labeling. Designed for students, educators, and justice advocates, this series bridges scholarship and community insight—educating for change and teaching for justice.

Episodes (2)

The Geography of Belonging: Why Gangs Form Where They Do

Ms. Andrea Hagan explores the spatial theories underlying gang formation, examining how neighborhood characteristics, environments, and social networks influence gang behavior. Through real-world case studies from Chicago, Los Angeles, and beyond, she highlights the critical role geography plays in shaping crime opportunities and pathways to belonging.

Oct 27, 2025

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31:23

The Geography of Belonging: Why Gangs Form Where They Do

Oct 27, 2025

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31:23

Mapping the Unmappable: How Geography Shapes Gang Definitions

In this inaugural episode of "Let's Talk About Gangs & Criminal Networks," Ms. A. explores how geography fundamentally influences the definition, identification, and understanding of gangs. She unpacks the complexities of gang definitions, territorial identity, mobility patterns, and the implications of place-based labeling, setting the stage for critical discussions throughout the course.

Oct 20, 2025

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32:28

Mapping the Unmappable: How Geography Shapes Gang Definitions