1) On completion of this module, you will be able to describe the links between media representations and crime, victimisation, and social inequalities.

2) On completion of this module, you will be able to evidence knowledge of a range of academic sources related to theories of gender, race and ethnicity, disability or sexuality.

3) On completion of this module, you will be able to apply academic theory to debates about media representations and crime, victimisation, and social inequalities.

4) On completion of this module, you will be able to critically discuss the relationship between media, representation and society using an effective written narrative.

The 2,500-word essay worth 100% of the total module mark assesses students in their achievement of all the Learning Outcomes. The question for the assessment includes an element of choice on the part of students, allowing them to focus on a particular aspect (or aspects) of the module to develop an argument with wider resonance in relation to the module in its entirety.

Formative Assessment/ Feedback:
On-line activities providing formative feedback via Blackboard

This module introduces students to the complex interrelationships between the media and crime. Mediated forms of representation are crucial to constructions and contestations of a range of criminal activities.

The module offers students an introduction to academic theories and concepts of media representation. The module will provide an overview of mainstream media representations of criminal activity and victimhood.

The module also offers case studies of crime representations generated across a range of media sites, including television, film, literature, advertising, newspapers, magazines, music videos and websites. Students are given the opportunity to analyse visual representations from historical and contemporary media sources. The module also encourages students in the development of key study skills commensurate with Level 5, such as critical skills, independent research skills and academic writing skills.

The module aims to:

Introduce the complex interrelationships between the media, crime and society.

Explain academic theories, concepts and contemporary debates related to media, crime and society.

Enable an understanding and appropriate employment of specialist academic terminology.

Facilitate independent analysis of specific media representations of crime and victimhood.

Media and Crime is an exciting module in which you will examine the complex interrelationships between the media and representations of criminal activity, including crimes of the powerful vs crimes of the powerless. The module offers case studies of representations of crime generated across a range of media sites including television, film, literature, advertising, newspapers, magazines, music videos and websites. You will also can analyse visual representations of crime from historical and contemporary media sources.

200 hours, of which 26 will be class contact and 174 hours will be guided independent study. Whole group contact will consist of lectures and workshops.

Case, S. Johnson, P. Manlow, D. Smith, R. and Williams, K. (2021). The Oxford Textbook on Criminology. 2nd edn. Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 146-185.

Greer, C (2010) Crime and Media (eds). Abingdon: Routledge.

Greer, C. and McLaughlin, E. (2023). The Oxford Handbook of Criminology. 7th edn. Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 243-264.

Jewkes, Y (2015) Media and Crime. 3rd edition. London: Sage.

Jewkes, Y & Linnemann, T (2017) Media and Crime in the US. California: SAGE Publications.

Linnemann, T (2016) Meth Wars: Police, Media, Power. New York: NYU Press.

Surette, R (2014) Media, Crime and Criminal Justice. USA: Wadsworth Publishing.

Yar, M (2015) Crime and the Imaginary of Disaster. London: Palgrave Macmillan.

1) The library
2) The Law Trove OUP
3) PCs with standard suite of University software providing access to e-mail, the internet, word processing, etc
4) Lecture rooms with access for disabled students, and suitable for group work
5) The Blackboard virtual learning environment