What drives people to commit crime—and how do we decide what counts as criminal? Join this course to explore the psychology, sociology and legal frameworks that shape our understanding of criminal behaviour.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
This course explores the psychology, sociology and legal frameworks that shape our understanding of criminal behaviour. Building on themes from Murder and Violence in Our Midst, we’ll examine how different theories explain offending, how laws define and respond to crime, and how society negotiates justice, punishment and rehabilitation.
What will we cover?
Week 1: What Makes a Crime? How laws are created? What counts as deviance? How does power shapes definitions of criminality?
Week 2: The Criminal Mind Psychological and biological theories of offending—from personality traits to trauma and impulse.
Week 3: Crime and Society Sociological explanations: inequality, marginalisation, subcultures and social control.
Week 4: Labelling, Identity and Stigma How does being labelled a criminal effect behaviour, self-image and justice outcomes?
Week 5: Punishment, Power and Possibility How society responds to crime—through prisons, policing, and alternative models of justice.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Understand key psychological, sociological and legal theories of crime
Analyse how laws and labels shape our understanding of criminality
Reflect on the relationship between crime, identity and social power
Engage critically with debates around punishment, rehabilitation and justice
Apply theoretical frameworks to real-world cases and cultural narratives
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is suitable for learners who have completed Murder and Violence in Our Midst or have some familiarity with criminology. A good grasp of English will help you keep up with the course. A willingness to explore shared resources—articles, videos, podcasts—will enrich your experience.
As with all our history, politics and current affairs courses, an open mind and respectful engagement with differing views are more important than specific skills.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Teaching will include interactive lectures, group discussion, case study analysis, and engagement with video and podcast clips. Between sessions, you’ll be invited to explore relevant extracts, articles or media to deepen your understanding and prepare for discussion.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
No additional costs. Just bring note-taking materials and your curiosity.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
- HMI57 “Black British Studies: Politics, Power & Intersectionality” - HPC278 Our world(s): memoirs by women
Michele Scott is an experienced Criminologist and Sociologist who has taught in a range of colleges, such as City of Westminster and Universities such as Birkbeck, LSE and London Metropolitan University as a Lecturer on courses such such as the Sociology of Crime and Deviance, Sociology of Gender, Sociology of Race and Ethnicity as well as Black Studies, Law, Justice and Society, Criminal Justice and Criminological courses. Michele is also an advocate for neurodiverse and SEND children. She also attained a wealth of voluntary experience surrounding supporting the needs of the parents of neurodiverse children. Alongside, neurodiverse children themselves and schools in attaining EHCPs for neurodiverse children. As well as ensuring their needs are effectively met within these educational establishments.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/criminal-mind-and-code2990318Criminal Mind and Codehttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/https://www.citylit.ac.uk/static/version1765367640/frontend/WilliamsCommerce/citylit/en_GB/Magento_Catalog/images/product/placeholder/image.jpg139139GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Politics & economics/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Politics & economics/British politics & society228511771677135361228511771677<p>What drives people to commit crime—and how do we decide what counts as criminal? Join this course to explore the psychology, sociology and legal frameworks that shape our understanding of criminal behaviour. </p>002990312Criminal Mind and Code139139https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/no_selectionInStockDaytimeFriKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-01-09T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allJan 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHPC277139139Criminal Mind and Code11190139Michele Scottcriminal-mind-and-code/hpc277-2526<p>What drives people to commit crime—and how do we decide what counts as criminal? Join this course to explore the psychology, sociology and legal frameworks that shape our understanding of criminal behaviour. </p>0000-Available|2026-01-09 00:00:00<p>This course explores the psychology, sociology and legal frameworks that shape our understanding of criminal behaviour. Building on themes from <em>Murder and Violence in Our Midst</em>, we’ll examine how different theories explain offending, how laws define and respond to crime, and how society negotiates justice, punishment and rehabilitation.</p><p>What drives people to commit crime—and how do we decide what counts as criminal? Join this course to explore the psychology, sociology and legal frameworks that shape our understanding of criminal behaviour. </p><p><strong>Week 1: What Makes a Crime?</strong><br/>How laws are created? What counts as deviance? How does power shapes definitions of criminality?</p><p><strong>Week 2: The Criminal Mind</strong><br/>Psychological and biological theories of offending—from personality traits to trauma and impulse.</p><p><strong>Week 3: Crime and Society</strong><br/>Sociological explanations: inequality, marginalisation, subcultures and social control.</p><p><strong>Week 4: Labelling, Identity and Stigma</strong><br/>How does being labelled a criminal effect behaviour, self-image and justice outcomes?</p><p><strong>Week 5: Punishment, Power and Possibility</strong><br/>How society responds to crime—through prisons, policing, and alternative models of justice.</p><ul><li>Understand key psychological, sociological and legal theories of crime</li><li>Analyse how laws and labels shape our understanding of criminality</li><li>Reflect on the relationship between crime, identity and social power</li><li>Engage critically with debates around punishment, rehabilitation and justice</li><li>Apply theoretical frameworks to real-world cases and cultural narratives</li></ul><p>This course is suitable for learners who have completed <em>Murder and Violence in Our Midst</em> or have some familiarity with criminology. A good grasp of English will help you keep up with the course. A willingness to explore shared resources—articles, videos, podcasts—will enrich your experience.</p><p>As with all our history, politics and current affairs courses, an open mind and respectful engagement with differing views are more important than specific skills.</p><p>Teaching will include interactive lectures, group discussion, case study analysis, and engagement with video and podcast clips. Between sessions, you’ll be invited to explore relevant extracts, articles or media to deepen your understanding and prepare for discussion.</p><p>No additional costs. Just bring note-taking materials and your curiosity.</p><p>- HMI57 “Black British Studies: Politics, Power & Intersectionality” <br/>- HPC278 Our world(s): memoirs by women <br/> </p>Politics & economicsBritish politics & societyvirtual11113990HPC277NONEFri09/01/26 - 06/02/2610:15 - 12:1510:1512:155 sessions (over 5 weeks)55-10 weeksDaytimeWeekdayKSKeeley StreetMichele ScottBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-01-09T00:00:00+00:00Jan 2026Culture, history & humanities139139Criminal Mind and Codecriminal-mind-and-code/hpc277-2526<p>What drives people to commit crime—and how do we decide what counts as criminal? Join this course to explore the psychology, sociology and legal frameworks that shape our understanding of criminal behaviour. </p>0000-Available|2026-01-09 00:00:00<p>This course explores the psychology, sociology and legal frameworks that shape our understanding of criminal behaviour. Building on themes from <em>Murder and Violence in Our Midst</em>, we’ll examine how different theories explain offending, how laws define and respond to crime, and how society negotiates justice, punishment and rehabilitation.</p><p>What drives people to commit crime—and how do we decide what counts as criminal? Join this course to explore the psychology, sociology and legal frameworks that shape our understanding of criminal behaviour. </p><p><strong>Week 1: What Makes a Crime?</strong><br/>How laws are created? What counts as deviance? How does power shapes definitions of criminality?</p><p><strong>Week 2: The Criminal Mind</strong><br/>Psychological and biological theories of offending—from personality traits to trauma and impulse.</p><p><strong>Week 3: Crime and Society</strong><br/>Sociological explanations: inequality, marginalisation, subcultures and social control.</p><p><strong>Week 4: Labelling, Identity and Stigma</strong><br/>How does being labelled a criminal effect behaviour, self-image and justice outcomes?</p><p><strong>Week 5: Punishment, Power and Possibility</strong><br/>How society responds to crime—through prisons, policing, and alternative models of justice.</p><ul><li>Understand key psychological, sociological and legal theories of crime</li><li>Analyse how laws and labels shape our understanding of criminality</li><li>Reflect on the relationship between crime, identity and social power</li><li>Engage critically with debates around punishment, rehabilitation and justice</li><li>Apply theoretical frameworks to real-world cases and cultural narratives</li></ul><p>This course is suitable for learners who have completed <em>Murder and Violence in Our Midst</em> or have some familiarity with criminology. A good grasp of English will help you keep up with the course. A willingness to explore shared resources—articles, videos, podcasts—will enrich your experience.</p><p>As with all our history, politics and current affairs courses, an open mind and respectful engagement with differing views are more important than specific skills.</p><p>Teaching will include interactive lectures, group discussion, case study analysis, and engagement with video and podcast clips. Between sessions, you’ll be invited to explore relevant extracts, articles or media to deepen your understanding and prepare for discussion.</p><p>No additional costs. Just bring note-taking materials and your curiosity.</p><p>- HMI57 “Black British Studies: Politics, Power &amp; Intersectionality” <br/>- HPC278 Our world(s): memoirs by women <br/> </p>Politics & economicsBritish politics & societyconfigurable
135361677British politics & societyhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/politics-and-world-affairs/british-politics-society1/2/285/1177/1677/135361/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Politics & economics/British politics & society
