LW2CAM: Crime and the Media

Module code: LW2CAM

Module provider: School of Law

Credits: 20

Level: Level 2 (Intermediate)

When you'll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Dr Rosa Walling-Wefelmeyer, email: r.walling-wefelmeyer@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module aims to provide students with the skills to think critically about the relationship between media and crime.  It will do so by exposing students to theoretical perspectives on representation and the research methods needed to analyse media representations of crime and media in everyday life. The module is also aimed at getting students to explore critical perspectives about media institutions in order to provide them with the tools to analyse how media institutions build on and from ‘crime stories.’  The module aims to also expose students to key criminological research about crime, culture, offending and the media. 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Articulate the primary theoretical perspectives about media representations and media in everyday life
2. Identify a range of media forms which have engaged with the subject of crime, and articulate the relationship between media institutions and structures and the representation of crime
3. Identify the research methods needed to analyse media and have had practice using at least one of these methods

Module content

This module explores the relationship between crime and the media. It focuses on the ways that crime is represented in the media, how media institutions contribute to the construction of crime, and how crime stories play a role in the development and maintenance of culture, media institutions and technologies. Finally, the module will also explore the role of media technologies in crime and offending. In any year, topics may include: Representation; representation of crime; effects of the media; cultural criminology; social media and state censorship; internet subcultures; relevant research methods; ethnographic approaches to assessing media; media forms and ‘crime;’ media platforms and industries; media-related offending; criminological research about the media.

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

This module uses lectures, workshops and seminars. Lectures provide overviews of the literature and debates on the topic. Workshops provide the space to explore the topics in more detail and focus on the applied aspects of the topic. Seminars provide opportunities for students to test their knowledge and understanding of the topic in smaller groups. Workshops and seminars will also be used to provide students with input about assessments and requisite research and study skills.

Study hours

At least 37 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: /cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Reassessment

Additional costs