Module: Crime, Policing & the Media

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Crime, Policing & the Media
Module Code	MCO1027 (ITS: CM261)
Faculty	Humanities & Social Sciences	School	Communications
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

This module focuses on the sociological analysis of crime and its representation in news and current affairs media. The first half of the module examines and evaluates key sociological perspectives that offer explanations for the existence of crime and also examines the key institutions that deal with crime in Irish society. The second half of the module examines the portrayal of crime by the media and evaluates whether such representations are a true or distorted reflection of social reality and what effects such representations might have on public opinion and our political system.

Learning Outcomes

1. Identify and articulate the key characteristics of crime in contemporary Ireland.
2. Identify and articulate the causes and consequences of crime.
3. Identify and articulate the links between social class, types of crimes and the law making process.
4. Review, appraise and interpret the ways in which crime is differentially dealt with by society.
5. Evaluate the manner in which the media report and comment on crime and justice issues.
6. Evaluate the possible effects of crime reporting on public opinion.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	22	No Description
Independent Study	103	Reading & Research
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	20684	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	30%	Examination Weight	70%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	N
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Declan Fahy	Module Teacher	Colm Kearns, Mark O'Brien

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
In Class Test	Quiz	30%	n/a
Formal Examination	End-of-Semester Final Examination	70%	End-of-Semester

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Week 1: Crime in Ireland: Characteristics & Measurement
The key characteristics of crime in Ireland including the problems surrounding its measurement.

Week 2: Blue-Collar Crime & its Consequences
The links between social-deprivation and property crime and how society deals with such crime.

Week 3: White-Collar Crime & its Consequences
The concept of white collar crime, how it differs from blue collar crime and how it is treated differently by society.

Week 4: Drugs & Crime
The relationship between drugs and crime, particularly on whether prohibition reduces or increases crime.

Week 5: Irish Prison System
Examining and evaluating the Irish Prison System.

Week 6: Policing Society
Examining and evaluating policing within Irish society.

Week 7: Reading Week
Reading Week - Students Revise for In-Class Test.

Week 8: Assessment Week
In-Class Multiple Choice Quiz / Exam Briefing.

Week 9: Crime Journalism
The evolution of crime journalism in Ireland.

Week 9: Crime Journalism & Public Opinion
The relationship between crime journalism and public opinion on crime and justice issues.

Week 11: Crime Journalism & Sources
The relationship between crime journalists and their sources.

Week 12: Crime Journalism & Trials
How trials are reported on and how same might impact on public opinion.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Healy, D. et al (eds): 2016, The Routledge Handbook of Irish Criminology, Routledge, London,
Kilcommins, S. et al., (eds): 2004, Crime, Punishment and the Search for Order in Ireland, IPA, Dublin,
O Mahony, P. (ed): 2002, Criminal Justice in Ireland, IPA, Dublin,
O Mahony, P.: 1996, Criminal Chaos: Seven Crises in Irish Criminal Justice, Round Hall, Dublin,
Jones, S.: 1998, Criminology, Butterworths, London,
McCullagh, C.: 1996, Crime in Ireland: A Sociological Introduction, CUP, Cork,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None