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 |
Level |
2
|
Credit Rating |
5
|
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:
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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.
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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.
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the key institutions involved in the judicial system including the Courts and Tribunals Systems, the Garda Siochana, and the Prison Service.
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Learning Outcomes
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Students will have gained:
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A sociologically grounded understanding of the causes of crime.
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A critical understanding of how the media report the issue of crime.
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A critical awareness of how crime is perceived and dealt with in society.
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Indicative Time Allowances
|
|
Hours
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Lectures |
11
|
Tutorials |
0
|
Laboratories |
|
Seminars |
11
|
Independent Learning Time |
53
|
|
|
Total |
75
|
Placements |
|
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.
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Lecture 2 Crime and Economic Development.
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Lecture 3 White Collar Crime.
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Lecture 4 Moral Entrepreneurs.
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Lecture 5 Drugs and Crime,
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Lecture.6 Crime Reporting: An Overview.
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Lecture 7 The Work of a Crime Reporter.
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Lecture 8 Crime Reporting & Public Opinion.
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Lecture 9 Courts and Tribunals
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Lecture 10 Policing Society.
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Lecture 11 Prisons and Punishment.
Continuous Assessment:
100%
Project: 70%
Seminar: 10%
Attendance: 20%
|
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
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O’Mahony, P: (ed) Criminal Justice in Ireland. Institute of Public Administration, 2002.
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Jones, S: The Media and Law and Order in Criminology. Butterworths, 1998.
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O’Reilly, E: Veronica Guerin: The Life and Death of a Crime Reporter. Vintage, 1998.
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Jewkes, Y: Media and Crime. Sage, 2004.
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Critcher, C: Moral Panics and the Media. Open University Press, 2003.
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O’Connell, M: The Portrayal of Crime in the Media – Does it Matter? in Criminal Justice in Ireland. IPA, 2002.
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O’Connell, 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
|
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: | |