CJC2008

Crime and the Media ( 6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL)

Leader: Dean Wilson

Offered:
Clayton First semester 2006 (Day)

Synopsis: Crime, Media and Culture examines the representation of crime in the media and its relationship to wider understandings of, and reactions to, crime and criminal justice. This subject uses key critical criminological, sociological and media theories to interpret the representation of crime in the media. Key areas covered include representations of class, gender and race in relation to crime, the symbiotic relationship between journalists and key actors within the criminal justice system, the relationship between the media and policy formulation and the importance of fictional representations in reflecting, reinforcing and shaping popular understandings of criminal justice and criminality.

Objectives: On successful completion of this subject students will be able to: demonstrate knowledge of key theories of media representation; demonstrate a critical understanding of the interrelationship of media and criminal justice policy; demonstrate a critical understanding of criminological interpretations of media; understand the process of criminological research and be competent in the use of the internet for the purposes of criminological and media research; present and argue positions based on an understanding of criminological methods of media analysis and demonstrate a well-developed intellectual framework for interpreting and critically assessing the social and political implications of media representations of criminal justice.

Assessment: Examination (2 hours): 40% + Research essay (2,500 words): 40% + Class presentation: 10% + Class participation: 10%

Contact Hours: 2 hours (1 x 1 hour lecture and 1 x 1 hour tutorial) per week

Prerequisites: CJC 1001/1002 (These units are prerequisites ONLY if the student wishes to undertake a CJC major or minor. All other students can take this unit having completed any first year Arts sequence or by permission).

Prohibitions: CJC3008