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Module Title |
Crime and the Media
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Module Code |
CM261
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School |
School of Communications
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Online Module Resources
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| Module Co-ordinator | Dr Mark O'Brien | Office Number | C145F |
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Level |
2
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Credit Rating |
5
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Pre-requisite |
None
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Co-requisite |
None
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Module Aims
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This module introduces students to the sociological analysis of crime and its representation in the media. The module examines and evaluates: The module examines and evaluates:
1) key sociological perspectives that offer different explanations for the existence of crime; it also examines the process by which laws are created and who benefits or suffers from the law making process.
2) the portrayal of crime by the media and asks whether such representations are a true or distorted reflection of social reality; it also asks what effects, if any, these representations have on public opinion.
3) the key institutions involved in the judicial system including the Garda Siochana, Tribunals of Inquiry and the Prison Service.
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Learning Outcomes
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Students will have gained:
1) A sociologically grounded understanding of the causes of crime.
2) A critical understanding of how the media report the issue of crime.
3) A critical awareness of how crime is perceived and dealt with in society.
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Indicative Time Allowances
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Hours
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Lectures |
24
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Tutorials |
0
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Laboratories |
12
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Seminars |
0
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Independent Learning Time |
39
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Total |
75
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Placements |
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Assignments |
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NOTE
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Assume that a 5 credit module load represents approximately 75 hours' work, which includes all teaching, in-course assignments, laboratory work or other specialised training and an estimated private learning time associated with the module.
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Indicative Syllabus
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Lecture 1: Measuring Crime,
Lecture 2: Social Strain and Crime,
Lecture 3: White Collar Crime,
Lecture 4: Moral Entrepreneurs,
Lecture 5: Drugs and Crime,
Lecture 6: Crime Reporting - the Work of a Crime Reporter, Lecture 7: Crime Reporting in Ireland - An Overview, Lecture 8: Crime Reporting & Public Opinion - The End of Civilisation?,
Lecture 9: Crime Reporting & Public Opinion - Moral Panics, Lecture 10: Policing Society, Lecture 11: Prisons and Punishment.
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| Assessment | | Continuous Assessment | 100% | Examination Weight | 0% |
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Indicative Reading List
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Kilcommins, S et al (eds): Crime, Punishment and the Search for Order in Ireland. Institute of Public Administration, 2004.
OMahony, P: (ed) Criminal Justice in Ireland. Institute of Public Administration, 2002.
Jones, S: The Media and Law and Order in Criminology. Butterworths, 1998.
OReilly, E: Veronica Guerin: The Life and Death of a Crime Reporter. Vintage, 1998.
Jewkes, Y: Media and Crime. Sage, 2004.
Critcher, C: Moral Panics and the Media. Open University Press, 2003.
OConnell, M: The Portrayal of Crime in the Media Does it Matter? in Criminal Justice in Ireland. IPA, 2002. OConnell, M: Is Irish Public Opinion Towards Crime Distorted by Media Bias? in European Journal of Communication, Vol. 14 (2) 1999.
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Continuous Assessment:100%
Project: 80%
Seminar: 20%
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Programme or List of Programmes
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| BSSA | Study Abroad (DCU Business School) |
| BSSAO | Study Abroad (DCU Business School) |
| CS | BA in Communication Studies |
| ECSA | Study Abroad (Engineering & Computing) |
| ECSAO | Study Abroad (Engineering & Computing) |
| HMSA | Study Abroad (Humanities & Soc Science) |
| HMSAO | Study Abroad (Humanities & Soc Science) |
| JR | BA in Journalism |
| SHSA | Study Abroad (Science & Health) |
| SHSAO | Study Abroad (Science & Health) |
| Archives: | |
