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Hobart

Introduction

This unit examines the representation of crime in the media and its role as a primary source of information for public discourse about crime, criminality and criminal justice in contemporary society. You will engage with key critical criminology and media and communications theories and concepts to analyse the construction of crime news and other popular media representations, and the broader social and political implications of these media practices. Key areas covered may include media representations of population groups in relation to crime (e.g. youth crime); the relationship between journalists and police as news sources; the laws and ethics of crime and court reporting; cybercrime; celebrity criminals; reality-based television shows and "the CSI effect"; and the impacts of social media and surveillance culture on crime reporting.

Summary 2021

Unit name Media and Crime
Unit code HEJ342
Credit points 12.5
Faculty/School College of Arts, Law and Education
School of Creative Arts and Media
Discipline Media
Coordinator

Dr. Donald Reid

Teaching staff

Level Advanced
Available as student elective? Yes
Breadth Unit? No

Availability

Note

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* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (see withdrawal dates explained for more information).

About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

  1. Explain key criminological and journalism, media and communications concepts, approaches and methods used in the study of media and crime.
  2. Analyse mediated representations of crime showing an awareness of the broader social and political implications of these media practices.
  3. Evaluate and discuss the relationship between media and crime, including the role of the media in shaping public knowledge and understandings of crime and criminality.

Fees

Requisites

Prerequisites

One year of tertiary study (1 EFTSL)

Co-requisites

Mutual Exclusions

You cannot enrol in this unit as well as the following:

Teaching

Teaching Pattern

Five contact hours fortnightly.

Assessment

Task 1: Tutorial Presentation (20%)

Task 2: Media Analysis (40%)

Task 3: Essay (40%)

TimetableView the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required

Most JMC units have neither required nor recommended texts but if this unit does, information about these can be found at the CoOp Bookshop links below close to the start of semester. For the majority of units, a Reading List providing access to electronic readings is provided (if applicable) and this will be made available through MyLO and the Library at the beginning of semester.

Recommended

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