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The Open University

The meaning of crime

The Open University via OpenLearn

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Overview

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Tough on the causes of crime'. A famous phrase, but what is crime? This free course, The meaning of crime, examines how we, as a 'society', define crime. You will look at the fear that is generated within communities and what evidence is available to support claims that are made about crime rates.

Syllabus

  • Introduction
  • Learning outcomes
  • 1 What is a crime?
  • 1 What is a crime?
  • 1.1 The meaning of crime
  • 1.2 The recognition and pursuit of crime
  • 1.3 Summary
  • 2 Tales of fear and fascination
  • 2 Tales of fear and fascination
  • 2.1 Social attitudes towards crime
  • 2.2 A society frightened by crime?
  • 2.3 A society fascinated by crime?
  • 2.4 Summary
  • 3 Beyond common sense?
  • 3 Beyond common sense?
  • 3.1 Claims about crime
  • 3.2 Counting the crime problem
  • 3.3 Quantitative and qualitative evidence
  • 3.4 Interpreting the crime problem
  • 3.5 Evaluating claims, using evidence
  • 3.6 Summary
  • 4 Explaining crimes
  • 4 Explaining crimes
  • 4.1 Exploring the claims about crime
  • 4.2 Structure and agency in the explanation of the crime problem
  • 4.3 Structural explanations I: biology
  • 4.4 Structural explanations II: families
  • 4.5 Structural explanations III: cultures
  • 4.6 Agency explanations: rational choice theory
  • 4.7 Summary
  • 5 Questions, questions
  • 5 Questions, questions
  • 5.1 How did we get here?
  • 5.2 Where can we go from here?
  • 5.2.1 Beyond the UK
  • Conclusion
  • References
  • Acknowledgements

Tags

Reviews

5.0 rating, based on 3 Class Central reviews

4.7 rating at OpenLearn based on 19 ratings

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  • Profile image for Alimi Morufat Olajumoke
    Alimi Morufat Olajumoke @olajumokealimi0
    9
    The course' The meaning of crime' has been of a great help to me as a person The course is designed by The open university for people who want to know about the slightest thing that can be considered as crime such as driving a non licensed bicycle, or driving in a pavement without permission.

    The course is a really great course and of great impact on both those looking forward to studying criminology and those who want to know about what can be considered as a crime.
  • FAIZ ALI
    this is very knowledgeable course for students to understand what is a crime. how an act becomes crime.
  • Anonymous
    this introduction has been very helpful, and the knowledge is one that will be useful in future endeavors.
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