Sociology & Criminology for a Changing World
Drugs and alcohol are among the most contested topics in criminology. Substances have been consumed by people in all societies and at all times, whether for ritual, medical, or recreational purposes. What distinguishes modern societies is not the existence of substance use but the way it is classified, regulated, and criminalised. Criminology studies drugs and
Émile Durkheim’s The Rules of Sociological Method (1895) marks a milestone in establishing sociology as an autonomous, empirical discipline. While earlier approaches were often philosophical or speculative, Durkheim formulated the foundations for systematic research based on observable, verifiable data. The work remains central for understanding the scientific core of sociology and the role of objective
Introduction Biological theories of crime seek to explain criminal behavior by reference to physiological, genetic, neurological, or evolutionary factors. Unlike sociological theories that emphasize social structures or cultural norms, biological theories focus on individual traits, predispositions, and processes within the body and brain that may increase the risk of offending. Historically controversial, these perspectives have