SOC 5610 - Crime and Media

This course examines media representations of crime and criminal justice, as well as the relationship between the media and criminal justice institutions. Students investigate moral panics, crime myths, and crime’s contested cultural meanings; how media representations influence law and public policy; how media portrays special types of offenders; how media depicts and engages with crime victims; and how media represents and shapes our criminal justice institutions. Students learn and apply sociological theories regarding the relationship between media, crime, and criminal justice.

Requisites:
Credit Hours: 4
Repeat/Retake Information: May not be retaken.
Lecture/Lab Hours: 4.0 lecture
Grades: Eligible Grades: A-F,WP,WF,WN,FN,AU,I
Learning Outcomes:

Students will be able to discuss the history and development of mass media in the U.S.
Students will be able to identify and critically analyze the various ways that media depicts crime and crime control.
Students will be able to critically apply sociological theories regarding the relationship between media, crime, and criminal justice.
Students will be able to discuss and critically evaluate the accuracy of media depictions of crime and crime control.
Students will be able to describe and critically analyze the impact of mass media on crime in the U.S.
Students will be able to recognize and critically assess media portrayal of special types of offenders.
Students will be able to describe and critically analyze the impact of mass media on policing, courts, and corrections.
Students will be able to synthesize the literature on media, crime, and criminal justice to identify gaps in our knowledge.