This course offers a comprehensive introduction to the foundational concepts of law, criminology, and criminal justice. It begins with an overview of legal systems, including English law and government structures, providing insight into how laws are created, enforced, and interpreted. Criminology is explored through classical theories, sociological perspectives, and psychological analyses, including the Chicago School, R.K. Merton’s strain theory, Emile Durkheim’s structural functionalism, and the functionalist view of crime and deviance.
Learners gain an understanding of crime, deviance, and the societal factors influencing behavior. The course integrates discussions on environmental crime, investigative journalism, and policy frameworks that shape social and criminal justice. Through case studies, learners examine illegal activities such as environmental offenses and fraud, and study the intersection of law enforcement, social policy, and community protection.
By combining sociological, psychological, and legal approaches, this course equips learners to analyze crime critically, understand the dynamics of deviance, and evaluate policies affecting criminal justice. It also introduces practical frameworks for investigating and preventing crime, emphasizing ethical considerations, societal impact, and evidence-based decision-making.
