Crime Stories: Crime, Justice and the Media
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| SOCI2047 | Sociology and Social Policy | 2 | 20 | Autumn UK, Spring UK |
- Code
- SOCI2047
- School
- Sociology and Social Policy
- Level
- 2
- Credits
- 20
- Semesters
- Autumn UK, Spring UK
Summary
This module explores theory, research and illustrative media examples addressing the relationship between crime, justice and the media. Examining both ‘factual’ and ‘fictional’ representations of crime and justice, we reflect upon depictions of ‘crime’, ‘criminals’ and ‘victims’ in media and methods of analysing these representations.
Target Students
Available to all level 2 and 3 students including subsidiary students from outside the school and exchange students.
Classes
This module is taught through a combination of lectures and seminars.
Assessment
- 40% Group Coursework: 1,000 words.
- 60% Coursework: 2,500 words.
Assessed by end of autumn semester
Educational Aims
The aims of the module are:1. To introduce students to the main theoretical debates concerning the media’s construction and representation of crime. 2. To encourage students to think critically about the possible effects of how crime and criminal justice processes are portrayed in the media. 3. To familiarise students with conducting thematic analysis on media reporting of crime.Learning Outcomes
a) Knowledge and understanding
Students will be able to:
1. Compare and contrast the main theoretical debates concerning the media’s construction and representation of crime.
2. Analyse media content using a range of key concepts.
3. Interrogate relationships between media and criminal justice policy-making.
b) Intellectual skills
Students will have developed the capacity:
1. To engage critically with the academic debate and literature regarding crime, justice and the media.
2. To critically assess the role of the media in informing attitudes, behaviours and policies.
3. To apply abstract arguments about social constructionism, ideology, law and order relate to crime news and to fictional representations of crime and criminality.
c) Professional practical skills
Students will have developed:
1. Develop research and organisational skills using library and electronic resources, and via group work.
2. Develop methodological and analytic skills, through carrying out research and analysis of selected media.
3. Develop skills in the written and verbal communication of description and academically informed analysis.