What Makes a Criminal - The Sociology of Criminality

A five-week evening sociology course at Mary Ward Centre exploring historical and contemporary theories of why people commit crimes.

This five-week course takes a 'progression through history' approach to theories of criminality, examining why most people do not commit crimes most of the time and why some do. Weekly sessions cover topics including choice and nature, social structure, strain theory, labelling theory, gender and crime, and criminalising race through a decolonial lens. Teaching combines tutor presentation, discussion, group activities, documentaries and film, with no formal assessment. No previous knowledge is needed, just an interest in crime, criminality and victimhood.