| aidemia--modules-lessonstartideas_type | Give a creative idea how to begin a lesson |
| Which subject | Criminology |
| What age group | College |
| What topic | Sociological reasons for committing crime |
| Quantity | 1 |
| Any other preferences |
To kick off our exploration into the sociological reasons for committing crime, let’s embark on a thought-provoking activity that will set the stage for a deeper understanding of this complex subject.
As students enter the classroom, they will find a large banner that reads:
"What Would You Do?"
Below this, five distinct envelopes are displayed on a table, each containing a brief character profile. Each profile represents an individual faced with different social circumstances that could potentially lead to criminal behaviour. Here's an example of what they might find:
Ella, The Struggling Single Mother: Recently relocated to a new town after losing her job, she faces mounting debts and limited access to childcare. She contemplates shoplifting to feed her children.
Jake, The Influenced Teenager: A talented athlete who feels pressure from peers to engage in drug use and petty criminal activities to fit in and gain social acceptance.
Mr Thompson, The Disillusioned Worker: A factory worker with years of service who has been laid off due to automation. He feels ignored by society and considers vandalism as a form of protest.
Sarah, The Marginalised Youth: Growing up in a deprived neighbourhood with limited opportunities, she sees joining a gang as a means of belonging and security.
Amir, The Refugee: Recently arrived in the country, he struggles with cultural adaptation and finding legitimate work, leading him to consider illegal trades to make ends meet.
Select a Character: Each student randomly chooses one of the envelopes, becoming the character within it for the duration of the lesson.
Reflect and Respond: Students will take 10 minutes to reflect on their character's situation, writing down their thoughts on the following questions:
Class Discussion: In small groups, students will then share their character's story and their insights, leading to a discussion on the sociological theories that could explain why individuals in similar situations might resort to crime.
This activity aims to challenge students to see crime not merely as an individual choice, but as a response to social environments and pressures. By humanising the narratives behind criminal behaviour, we lay the groundwork for examining various sociological theories such as strain theory, social learning theory, and labelling theory in further lessons.
Through this opening lesson, we will come to understand that the roots of criminal behaviour often lie within the fabric of society itself. Let us proceed to dissect these sociological perspectives, helping us to foster a more empathetic and informed understanding of crime and those who commit it.