Introduction to Criminology
Delve into the fascinating study of criminology and gain an insight into work as a criminal justice professional.
8,526 enrolled on this course
Duration
3 weeksWeekly study
3 hours100% online
How it works
Introduction to Criminology
Understand the growing discipline of criminology
In our globalised world, international organised crime, such as online fraud and trafficking, has expanded exponentially. Crime also appears to be constantly in the public gaze – from media attention to politics, leading to an intensification of public fears.
However, even with this increased attention, knowledge and understanding of crime and victimisation remains limited.
On this three-week course, you’ll delve into the growing discipline of criminology. You’ll discover how it embraces sociology, psychology, law, and forensics as you explore the areas of study in contemporary undergraduate criminology.
Go behind-the-scenes of working in criminal justice
The course will help you further your awareness and understanding of crime and the complex operation of criminal justice in society.
It provides a window into the often challenging, but equally rewarding nature of the day-to-day work of criminal justice professionals – those who interface with those who commit a crime, but also with the victims of crime.
This will help you understand how and why criminal justice approaches are developed and put into practice.
Learn from the experts at the University of Hull
You’ll learn from the specialists at the University of Hull, one of the institutions that pioneered the exciting study of criminology more than 40 years ago.
This expert insight will help you understand the role of a criminologist – from identifying definitions and patterns of crime to becoming aware of the academic approaches that have contributed to our understanding of murder.
Syllabus
Week 1
Introduction to Criminology
Introduction
Welcome to our 'Becoming a Criminologist' course.
Topic 1: What is crime?
You will be provided with a real-world case study which will underpin your engagement with criminological and victimological theory, prompting you to consider why people commit crime and why people become victims.
Topic 2: Why do people commit crime?
This section introduces you to theories of crime and explanations of criminal behaviour.
Topic 3: Theories of victimisation
This topic asks you to consider why some individuals and groups are victimised at higher rates than others.
Reflection: Three Practitioner's Perspectives
Here we consider three police officer's perspectives regarding the case study introduced in Topic 1.
Week 2
Exploring Murder
Topic 1: What is Murder?
Theoretical definitions of murder: Why are some forms of violent killing are treated as murder while others are not? Legal definitions: How murder is currently defined in other countries.
Topic 2: Legal definitions of murder
Murder is a criminal offence and Common Law offence which signifies that decisions on what constitutes murder are not initially defined in any statute but are based on case law. Murder is the most serious form of homicide.
Topic 3: Motivations and theories of murder
Exploring killings in more depth and looking at confrontational and revenge murder.
Week 3
Policing in Action
Topic 1: What are the challenges from 'county lines' crime?
This topic explores what is meant by 'county lines' crime. It explores who is involved, what they are doing, what the impact of this crime type is and the challenges this set of activities has had on law enforcement agencies.
Topic 2: Identification, containment and rolling back the threat
This topic examines how law enforcement agencies identify, contain and roll back the threat from county lines crime groups. In doing so it provides an overview of the techniques used, and the challenges faced by crime fighters.
Topic 3: Consequences and the duality of victims and perpetrators
This topic examines the consequences of county lines crime, and the particular position of some of those involved in county line activities as both victims and perpetrators of crime. The societal impact is explored here.
Topic 4: Drugs
This topic examines drugs, focusing on how drugs are classified and the debate around drug use as a criminal offence.
Reflection: how will this area develop in the future?
This concluding topic invites the you to think about how county lines criminality will develop into the future. It does this through considering technological, sociological and tradecraft developments.
Assessment
A quiz to reflect on what you've learnt during the past three weeks
When would you like to start?
Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.
Available now
Learning on this course
On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- Identify definitions and patterns of crime
- Recognise the range of academic approaches within criminology and other aligned disciplines that have contributed to our understanding of murder
- Perceive crime & criminal justice as evolving and fluid concepts
Who is the course for?
This course is designed as an introduction to the first year of a BA degree course in Criminology.
It will be of particular interest to those wanting to study a Criminology undergraduate degree and pursue a career in criminal justice.
Who will you learn with?
Professor of Intelligence and National Security, University of Hull.
I am a senior lecturer within the School of Criminology, Sociology and Policing at the University of Hull.
Who developed the course?
University of Hull
The University of Hull has been changing the way people think for more than 90 years. As England’s 14th-oldest university, they have a proud heritage of academic excellence, life-changing research and excellent teaching. Their vision is to shape a fairer, brighter and carbon neutral future for all. As the Official University Partner of Team GB they believe extraordinary is in everyone, and together with Team GB, they’re going to help you find it.
Established
1927World ranking
Top 60Source: Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2021
Ways to learn | Buy this course | Subscribe & save | Limited access |
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| Choose the best way to learn for you! | $109/one-off payment | $244.99 for a whole year Automatically renews | Free |
| Fulfill your current learning need | Develop skills to further your career | Sample the course materials | |
| Access to this course | tick | tick | Access expires 4 Oct 2024 |
| Access to 1,000+ courses | cross | tick | cross |
| Learn at your own pace | tick | tick | cross |
| Discuss your learning in comments | tick | tick | tick |
| Tests to check your learning | tick | tick | cross |
| Certificate when you're eligible | Printed and digital | Digital only | cross |
Cancel for free anytime |
Ways to learn
Choose the best way to learn for you!
Subscribe & save
$244.99 for a whole year
Automatically renews
Develop skills to further your career
- Access to this course
- Access to 1,000+ courses
- Learn at your own pace
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Tests to boost your learning
- Digital certificate when you're eligible
Cancel for free anytime
Buy this course
$109/one-off payment
Fulfill your current learning need
- Access to this course
- Learn at your own pace
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Tests to boost your learning
- Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible
Limited access
Free
Sample the course materials
- Access expires 4 Oct 2024
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades) Sale price available until 31 October 2024 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply. | |||
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)
Sale price available until 31 October 2024 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.
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