Free course

An introduction to crime and criminology

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Crime evokes a wide variety of reactions in people: fear, anger, fascination, excitement, curiosity. This course, An introduction to crime and criminology, considers the relatively common-place problem of vandalism in the form of graffiti as one example through which to explore your own views about an everyday sort of crime.

The course goes on to consider how social scientists and criminologists, in particular, study and seek to understand problems of crime. The course invites you to develop what can be called your 'criminological imagination'. This, in part, involves viewing criminological issues or problems from multiple perspectives but also encourages you to recognise that private troubles and social issues are often linked together.

Course learning outcomes

After studying this course, you should be able to:

provide a basic definition of 'crime'
demonstrate that ideas about what a crime is and what it is not are often contested
provide a definition of what criminology is and the subject matter it pertains to
understand what criminologists 'do'
develop and use criminological imagination to think about problems of crime and justice in new ways, going beyond everyday understandings.

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First Published: 01/05/2019

Updated: 05/02/2020

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Average rating 4.5 out of 5, based on 54 ratings.

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Course reviews

Rahim Khan 20 June 2025 5:28PM

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Got a lot knowledge about crime, criminology and related terms.

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Muhammad Asif Asif 20 June 2025 3:24AM

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As a serving Additional District and Sessions Judge, I found “An Introduction to Crime and Criminology” to be a highly insightful and structured course. It offers a foundational yet comprehensive overview of key criminological theories, the nature of criminal behavior, and the functioning of the criminal justice system. The content is thoughtfully curated, and even for someone with legal experience, it provided refreshing academic context and comparative perspectives on criminal conduct and societal responses.

What makes this course particularly valuable is its accessibility and clarity—it simplifies complex concepts without losing their depth. The case studies and practical examples enrich the learning experience and can serve as helpful tools for both law students and professionals in the field.

I appreciate the Open University for offering such quality content freely. The course is well worth the time and provides a solid base for further exploration in criminology or applied criminal justice.

Highly recommended for judges, lawyers, law students, and policy-makers alike.

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An introduction to crime and criminology

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