Introduction to criminology: thinking about crime and justice
Choose a starting date
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.
- Start Date: 26 Jun 2025End Date: 24 Jul 2025Thu (Daytime): 10:30 - 12:30In PersonLocation: Keeley StreetDuration: 5 sessions (over -5 weeks)Course Code: HPC240Full fee £119.00 Senior fee £95.00 Concession £77.00
- Start Date: 07 Nov 2025End Date: 05 Dec 2025Fri (Daytime): 10:30 - 12:30In PersonLocation: Keeley StreetDuration: 5 sessions (over -5 weeks)Course Code: HPC240Tutors: Michele ScottFull fee £139.00 Senior fee £111.00 Concession £90.00
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.
What is the course about?
The course provides a Sociological and Criminological analysis of crime and deviance and shows Criminological perspectives have subtlety impacted common sensical notions of crime in addition to providing a theoretical examination of justice, punishment and social control.
What will we cover?
- definitions of crime and deviance
- different theoretical explanations of crime and deviance, e.g. biological, and psychological theories of crime and deviance and sociological Theories of Crime and Deviance, .e.g functionalist and social control theories of crime and deviance.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- understand how perceptions of crime and deviance change over time
- examine and evaluate biological postivist theories of crime and the atavistic
man
- describe and assess psychological theories of crime
- outline and assess different Sociological theories of crime and deviance,
Functionalism.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is suitable both for newcomers to the subject and for those who have some background knowledge. You will need a good grasp of English to keep up with the course. An ability and willingness to explore relevant shared resources will increase what you get out of the course.
However, as with most of our history, politics and current affairs courses, an open mind and a respectful willingness to listen to and think about views with which you do not always agree are more important than specific levels of skills.
Given the sensitive nature of some of the topics the course will explore, we also expect everyone to engage group and class discussions with respect and the willingness to learn from others.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Interactive lecture, group discussion, role play, video and podcast clip and materials for engagement between courses sessions, e.g. relevant extracts, articles or video or podcasts for engagement between course sessions.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
No, apart from note-taking materials.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Please explore our British poliics and society section for realted courses in summer and autumn.
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.