Week 2: What is Crime? What is Criminology?
In our second week of class, we will attempt to understand deeper what do we mean when we talk about crime. We will also define criminology as a discipline and go over multiple ways we can approach crime from theoretical perspectives. Criminology is the science of crime and criminal behavior. We will explore the history and emergence of criminology and outline how the field has continued to develop.
Learning Objectives:
By the end of this week, you will be able to:
- Define criminology and discuss the emergence of criminology as a discipline.
- Discuss how definitions of crime and laws change in relation to social change.
- Explain the influence of criminal law on crime definitions.
Workflow:
Readings:
* Carrabine, Eamonn, et al. Criminology : A Sociological Introduction, Taylor & Francis Group, 2004. ProQuest Ebook Central, https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/bmcc/reader.action?docID=200141&ppg=26
Download the chapter here.
Criminology_A_Sociological_Introduction_-_Pg_26-32-1*Open University. The Meaning of Crime: https://www.open.edu/openlearn/society-politics-law/sociology/the-meaning-crime/content-section-0?active-tab=content-tab
Videos
Why White-Collar Crime in the U.S. is a Costly Epidemic
The real roots of youth violence | Craig Pinkney | TEDxBrum
Drug War Alternatives That Work:
PowerPoint
Discussion Forum
Discussion Forum 2: Why Study Criminology?
3 thoughts on “WEEK 2 (08/30 to 09/03): What Is Crime? What is Criminology?”
Any illegal act that a person or organizations can do to a person or structure. The study of Criminal activity
Criminology has many meanings, but it is considered as a scientific understanding of crime and criminals. Criminology remains firmly within the existing limits of criminal law. Criminology explores the foundations and implications of criminal law – how they arise, how they work, how they are violated, and what happens to violators. The sociological role of criminology. Sociology is the separation of the human world from a critical point of view – considering that there are common patterns of social life that shape human life experiences, their attitudes, beliefs, behaviors, and their identities. Crime is a truly sociological concept. It does not exist as some autonomous entity but is socially constructed. Although there are many treaties that are considered crimes, they vary between time, place, and people. Crime has multiple meanings. These meanings are socially constructed. The most important differences in the meaning of crime occur strictly in relation to crime in violation of legal definitions and other codes and conventions – ideological definitions. These can be formal moral codes like religion or more informal codes of socially acceptable behavior. This difference in part explains why many legally defined criminal acts do not result in trial or imprisonment. Thus crime can be both normal and abnormal at the same time.