Video | “What is Crime?”

This short video by Professor Steve Case is an effective introduction to criminology because it challenges students to think critically about how crime is defined. Rather than viewing crime as simply breaking the law, Case explains that crime is a social construct shaped by cultural norms, power relations, and changing legal standards. He highlights how definitions of crime vary across time and place, and how certain behaviors are labeled criminal depending on who holds influence in society. The video encourages students to question assumptions and sets the stage for exploring key criminological concepts such as social control, moral panic, and labeling theory.

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