KRIM4955 – Media and Crime
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
Course content
We live in a world where images of crime and crime control saturate the media landscape. Television, film, newspaper, and electronic/internet media intersect with crime and the criminal justice system in a number of important ways. The course provides an introduction to the connection between crime, criminal justice and media representations. It will provide students with an understanding of the contested and complex cultural meanings that underpin crime as a social phenomenon. We will examine how media representations influence particular perceptions of crime, criminality and justice and how the media represents, distorts, and/or filters crime and justice issues. We will examine the depictions of victims, offenders, and the criminal justice system and we will consider the possible impact of media images of crime and violence on individuals, groups and criminal justice policy.
Learning outcome
Knowledge:
- At the end of the course, students will have obtained knowledge of the most central questions and positions surrounding the connection between media and crime.
- You will have an understanding of the link between media representations and crime.
- You will have an understanding of how images of crime and justice vary across different forms of media.
Skills:
- Students will learn to interpret, analyse and critically discuss scholarly texts and media representations with a view to their possible wider implications.
- You will be able to evaluate the relationships between crime, justice, media representations and wider cultural dynamics.
- You will be able to discuss issues of crime, media and culture within a late-modern global context.
- You will be aware of the relevant social science research in this area and be able to critique it.
- You will be able to discuss the degree to which cultural contexts and media representations shape crime control policies.
Competences:
- You will be able to critically interpret media and recognize different constructions of crime and justice.
- You will enhance your capability to formulate your own ideas about and reflect on the causes of crime and the connection between crime and the media.
- You will be able to make independent media analyses.
Admission
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.
Teaching
Lectures.
Examination
Students are graded on the basis of a 5-day take-home exam.
Size: Maximum 2400 words (roughly 6 pages). Front page, contents page (optional) and bibliography are not included. If footnotes are used in the text (at the bottom of each page), they are included in the 2400 word limit.
The essays shall be handed in at the Information Centre at the Faculty of law in Domus Academica, Karl Johansgate 47 Bring two copies of your essay, remember to also bring your student card or some other kind of ID. The paper shall also be submitted in
Any exam at the University of Oslo are being checked for both correct word count and incidents of cheating.
Language of examination
The language of examination is English. It is also possible to submit your response in Norwegian, Swedish or Danish
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
Explanations and appeals
Resit an examination
Withdrawal from an examination
It is possible to take the exam up to 3 times. If you withdraw from the exam after the deadline or during the exam, this will be counted as an examination attempt.
Special examination arrangements
Application form, deadline and requirements for special examination arrangements.