Engaging Lesson Starter for Criminology

Introduction: Setting the Scene

Welcome to today's criminology lesson! To kick things off, we’re going to dive into a real-world scenario that highlights the complexities of criminological theory and practice.

Lesson Starter Activity: Criminal Minds - The Case Files

Objective:

To engage students in critical thinking by analysing a real-world criminal case while exploring different criminological perspectives.

Activity Steps:

Case Introduction:
- Present a brief overview of a notable criminal case (e.g., the case of Harold Shipman, a GP who murdered his patients).
- Include key facts: who, what, when, where, and the societal impact.
Group Discussion:
- Divide students into small groups of 4-5.
- Assign each group a different criminological theory (e.g., biological theories, psychological theories, sociological theories).
Analysis:
- Ask each group to discuss how their assigned theory might explain the criminal behaviour observed in the case.
- Encourage them to consider factors such as motives, opportunities, and societal influences.
Share and Reflect:
- Each group presents their findings to the class.
- Facilitate a class discussion, prompting students to reflect on the multifaceted nature of crime and the value of various criminological perspectives.

Outcome:

This activity not only garners interest but also lays the groundwork for deeper exploration of criminological theories, encouraging students to think critically about the motivations and societal contexts behind criminal behaviour.

Conclusion

By starting the lesson with a compelling case study and collaborative analysis, students are more likely to engage meaningfully with criminological concepts, setting a dynamic tone for the rest of the course. Prepare to explore the intriguing world of crime and justice together!

aidemia--modules-lessonstartideas_type	Give a creative idea how to begin a lesson
Which subject	Criminology
What age group	Adult courses
What topic
Quantity	1
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