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Hi, I'm Tony Sale, a former law-enforcement officer. For professional reasons and passion, I've been studying crime for many years. Now, I decided to share with you what I've learned.

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Hi, I'm Tony Sale, a former law-enforcement officer. For professional reasons and passion, I've been studying crime for many years. Now, I decided to share with you what I've learned.

This criminology course provides more than 4 hours of video, every topic is covered with videos, statistics, case studies. The course uses theory, research, to determine why people commit crimes. It also explores the social impact of crimes on victims and communities and goes on to consider how social scientists and criminologists, study and seek to understand problems of crime. At the end of each video, you may test your learning advancement with the available quiz.

The course invites you to develop what can be called your "critical understanding of crime".

Who is this course for:

  1. The course is designed for all study levels

  2. No prior criminological education is required

  3. If you want to understand why people commit a crime

  4. Crime obsessed people

  5. Journalists, bloggers, and podcasters who cover real crime topics

  6. Psychology, and sociology students

After studying this course, you should be able to:

  1. Provide a detailed definition of 'crime'

  2. Know the main criminological theories

  3. Understand the Sociology of Crime

  4. Demonstrate that ideas about what a crime is and what it is not are often contested

  5. Provide a definition of what criminology is and the subject matter it pertains to

  6. Understand what criminologists ‘do’

  7. Develop and use criminological imagination to think about problems of crime and justice in new ways, going beyond everyday understandings.

Structure of the course:

  1. Intro to the course

  2. What are crime and criminology (You'll learn the meaning and the purpose of criminology)

  3. The Criminal System (The Structure of Criminal Justice System)

  4. The Juvenile Judicial System (The primary objective of processing juveniles)

  5. Measuring Crime (Stats are important to monitor crime across time)

  6. Crime Statistics in UK e the USA (Crime Data Statistics Providers)

  7. Measuring Crime (Differences between UCR and NCVS)

  8. Measuring Crime  (Case Study)

  9. Measuring Crime  (UCR and NIBRS)

  10. Research Methods in Criminology (You'll learn about Theory and Methodology)

  11. Characteristic of Crime and Criminals (Comparing crime rates)

  12. Age And Gender Crime Differences (Variations in Age and Gender in Crimes)

  13. Minorities Rates Crimes (The Crime rate among minorities)

  14. What is Victimology (Victimology includes the study of victimization)

  15. Theories of Criminology (Classicism and Positivism approaches)

  16. Theories of Criminology  (Classicism)

  17. Classicism vs. Positivism (The differences between Classicism and Positivism)

  18. Positivism - Lombroso's Theories (Influence of Positivism in modern criminology)

  19. Emile Durkheim and the Anomie (French sociologist Durkheim had a great influence on criminology)

  20. The Chicago School and Crime (The Social Disorganization Theory)

  21. Crime Typologies (Esploring Crime Typologies)

  22. Crime Typologies  (Serial Murder)

  23. Crime Typologies  (Mass Murder)

  24. Crime Typologies  (Spree Murder)

  25. Case File: The Virginia Tech Massacre (Casefile and Violent Crime Trends)

  26. White Collar Crimes (When the crime is financial in nature)

  27. What is Cybercrime? (Cybercrime, a new form of criminal activity)

  28. Organized Crime (An overview of Organized Crime)Crime organizations - The MafiaOutlaw Motorcycle and Prison GangsUrban Street Gangs and Urban Violence

So, what are you waiting for? Subscribe now and start learning

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Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Develops deep expertise in criminology, which is relevant to police science, security, law, social work, compliance, investigations, risk assessment, forensics, fraud detection, cybersecurity, and crime victim support
Taught by Tony Sale, a renowned criminology expert with decades of experience as a law enforcement officer
Covers a wide range of criminological theories, from classicism to positivism, providing a comprehensive understanding of the field
Examines real-world crime data, statistics, and case studies, connecting theory to practice
Emphasizes the social impact of crime on victims and communities, fostering a critical perspective on criminal justice
Suitable for all study levels, providing a strong foundation for both beginners and those seeking advanced knowledge in criminology

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Reviews summary

Criminology: comprehensive critical introduction

According to learners, this course offers a highly praised and comprehensive introduction to criminology, consistently receiving excellent feedback. Students frequently commend the instructor's clear and straight-to-the-point delivery, making complex topics easy to understand. The course is highlighted as well-structured and organized, providing a solid foundational understanding for beginners or those with no prior knowledge. Many appreciate the inclusion of quizzes at the end of each lesson for knowledge retention. While a few comments suggest some topics are simplified or that statistics could be updated, the overall consensus is that it is an effective and valuable starting point for anyone curious about or studying criminology.
Quizzes aid in knowledge retention and self-assessment.
"What I appreciate the most about this course are the quizzes at the end of each lesson. This helps me test my knowledge and see if I have retained the information correctly."
"The quizzes are a good plus. Thank you!"
"I found the quizzes helpful for solidifying my understanding of the course material."
Provides a detailed and broad understanding of criminology.
"This course gave me a very comprehensive overview of the topic and all the information that it entails."
"This course provides a detailed account of the field of criminology. It is also good for people with no previous knowledge in criminology."
"It covers the basic concepts of criminology. I appreciated this basic course, it is full of information."
Instructor's delivery makes complex concepts easy to grasp.
"Tony presents the lectures in a way that is very easy to understand and straight to the point. The information he gives is concise and easy to remember."
"The instructor explains complex ideas clearly. It's a great help to understand the basic concept of crime and its different types."
"Tony is clear and straight to the point. This course has excellent and relevant content, delivered in an easy to understand fashion."
An excellent starting point for those new to criminology.
"This course is very well structured and organized and I would highly recommend it to anyone who is just starting to learn about the field of criminology."
"The lectures are clear and concise and a perfect starting point for anybody interested in this subject, whether it's for their studies or personal development."
"It's a great intro and foundation for deeper study. I highly recommend this course for anyone just starting or curious about criminology."
Some content is simplified; a few statistics may need updating.
"The course is quite well constructed, although some topics seem to be simplified too much and more extensive knowledge on certain topics would be useful (e.g. juvenile justice system)."
"A lot of interesting topics but delivered with a lot of repetition and very simplified. Some statistics would need to be updated as they are from 2020."
"The content is useful for a general overview but for deeper understanding, I think you need to do a lot of research outside the course."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Criminology - A Critical Understanding of Crime 2024 with these activities:
Review Criminology Theory and Practice
Start by reviewing this book to reinforce the major criminological theories and their applications to modern society.
Show steps
  • Read the first three chapters of the book.
  • Take notes on the key concepts and theories discussed in each chapter.
  • Write a short summary of each chapter, highlighting the main points and their relevance to criminology.
Explore Online Crime Databases
Taking the time to learn how to use these resources will give you access to valuable data and information for your studies.
Browse courses on Open Data
Show steps
  • Visit the websites of the FBI, Bureau of Justice Statistics, and National Crime Victimization Survey.
  • Explore the different datasets available.
  • Sign up for access to restricted data, if necessary.
Create a Timeline of Criminological Theories
Creating a visual representation of the development of criminological theories will help you understand the evolution of thought in the field.
Show steps
  • Research the major criminological theories and their proponents.
  • Create a timeline that includes the dates, names of theories, and key proponents.
  • Write a brief description of each theory and its significance.
  • Share your timeline with other students or post it online for discussion.
Three other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all six activities
Participate in Online Discussion Forums
Engaging with other students in discussions will help you deepen your understanding of course concepts and different perspectives.
Show steps
  • Join the course discussion forum.
  • Read the discussion topics and participate in the conversations.
  • Ask questions, share your insights, and respond to others.
Solve Crime Case Studies
Working through case studies will help you develop critical thinking and analytical skills necessary for solving real-world crime problems.
Browse courses on Case Studies
Show steps
  • Read the case study and identify the key facts.
  • Apply criminological theories and concepts to analyze the case.
  • Develop and test hypotheses.
  • Write a report summarizing your findings and recommendations.
Conduct a Literature Review
Conducting a thorough literature review will help you develop critical thinking skills and stay up-to-date on the latest research.
Browse courses on Literature Review
Show steps
  • Identify a research topic.
  • Search and critically evaluate scholarly articles, books, and other sources.
  • Write a literature review that summarizes and analyzes the findings of your research.

Career center

Learners who complete Criminology - A Critical Understanding of Crime 2024 will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Criminologist
A criminologist is a professional who studies crime and criminal behavior. They may work in academia, law enforcement, or other fields. This course provides a strong foundation in criminology, including the history of crime, the different types of crime, and the theories of crime. It also covers the criminal justice system and the role of criminologists in society. If you are interested in a career in criminology, this course is a great place to start.
Criminal Investigator
A criminal investigator is a law enforcement officer who investigates crimes. They may work for local, state, or federal law enforcement agencies. This course provides a strong foundation in criminology, including the history of crime, the different types of crime, and the theories of crime. It also covers the criminal justice system and the role of criminal investigators in society. If you are interested in a career as a criminal investigator, this course is a great place to start.
Forensic Scientist
A forensic scientist is a scientist who uses their knowledge of science to investigate crimes. They may work for law enforcement agencies, crime labs, or other organizations. This course provides a strong foundation in criminology, including the history of crime, the different types of crime, and the theories of crime. It also covers the criminal justice system and the role of forensic scientists in society. If you are interested in a career as a forensic scientist, this course is a great place to start.
Police Officer
A police officer is a law enforcement officer who is responsible for protecting the public and enforcing the law. This course provides a strong foundation in criminology, including the history of crime, the different types of crime, and the theories of crime. It also covers the criminal justice system and the role of police officers in society. If you are interested in a career as a police officer, this course is a great place to start.
Correctional Officer
A correctional officer is a law enforcement officer who is responsible for supervising and providing security for inmates in prisons and jails. This course provides a strong foundation in criminology, including the history of crime, the different types of crime, and the theories of crime. It also covers the criminal justice system and the role of correctional officers in society. If you are interested in a career as a correctional officer, this course is a great place to start.
Intelligence Analyst
An intelligence analyst is a professional who collects, analyzes, and disseminates information to help law enforcement and national security agencies understand and prevent crime. This course provides a strong foundation in criminology, including the history of crime, the different types of crime, and the theories of crime. It also covers the criminal justice system and the role of intelligence analysts in society. If you are interested in a career as an intelligence analyst, this course is a great place to start.
Probation Officer
A probation officer is a social worker who supervises and provides support to individuals who have been convicted of a crime and are on probation. This course provides a strong foundation in criminology, including the history of crime, the different types of crime, and the theories of crime. It also covers the criminal justice system and the role of probation officers in society. If you are interested in a career as a probation officer, this course is a great place to start.
Parole Officer
A parole officer is a social worker who supervises and provides support to individuals who have been released from prison on parole. This course provides a strong foundation in criminology, including the history of crime, the different types of crime, and the theories of crime. It also covers the criminal justice system and the role of parole officers in society. If you are interested in a career as a parole officer, this course is a great place to start.
Social Worker
A social worker is a professional who helps individuals and families cope with social problems. This course provides a strong foundation in criminology, including the history of crime, the different types of crime, and the theories of crime. It also covers the criminal justice system and the role of social workers in society. If you are interested in a career as a social worker, this course is a great place to start.
Attorney
An attorney is a professional who provides legal advice and representation to individuals and organizations. This course provides a strong foundation in criminology, including the history of crime, the different types of crime, and the theories of crime. It also covers the criminal justice system and the role of attorneys in society. If you are interested in a career as an attorney, this course is a great place to start.
Judge
A judge is a public official who presides over legal proceedings and makes decisions on legal matters. This course provides a strong foundation in criminology, including the history of crime, the different types of crime, and the theories of crime. It also covers the criminal justice system and the role of judges in society. If you are interested in a career as a judge, this course is a great place to start.
Law Professor
A law professor is a professor who teaches law at a law school. This course provides a strong foundation in criminology, including the history of crime, the different types of crime, and the theories of crime. It also covers the criminal justice system and the role of law professors in society. If you are interested in a career as a law professor, this course is a great place to start.
Policy Analyst
A policy analyst is a professional who develops and analyzes policies for governments and other organizations. This course provides a strong foundation in criminology, including the history of crime, the different types of crime, and the theories of crime. It also covers the criminal justice system and the role of policy analysts in society. If you are interested in a career as a policy analyst, this course is a great place to start.
Journalist
A journalist is a professional who gathers, writes, and reports news and information. This course provides a strong foundation in criminology, including the history of crime, the different types of crime, and the theories of crime. It also covers the criminal justice system and the role of journalists in society. If you are interested in a career as a journalist, this course is a great place to start.
Crime Writer
A crime writer is a professional who writes about crime for newspapers, magazines, and other publications. This course provides a strong foundation in criminology, including the history of crime, the different types of crime, and the theories of crime. It also covers the criminal justice system and the role of crime writers in society. If you are interested in a career as a crime writer, this course is a great place to start.

Reading list

We've selected nine books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Criminology - A Critical Understanding of Crime 2024.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the science of crime, including the latest research on crime patterns, crime prevention, and crime control. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to understand the causes of crime and how to prevent it.
Comprehensive overview of the major theories of crime. It provides a detailed analysis of each theory, and discusses its strengths and weaknesses.
Provides a global perspective on criminology. It examines the different ways that crime is defined and measured around the world, and discusses the different approaches to crime prevention and control.
Provides a comprehensive overview of victimology. It covers the history of victimology, the different types of victims, and the different approaches to victim assistance.
Provides a comprehensive overview of cybercrime. It covers the history of cybercrime, the different types of cybercrimes, and the different approaches to preventing and punishing cybercrime.
Provides a comprehensive overview of terrorism. It covers the history of terrorism, the different types of terrorist groups, and the different approaches to preventing and punishing terrorism.
Provides a comprehensive overview of policing. It covers the history of policing, the different types of policing, and the different approaches to evaluating policing.

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