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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "SOSC/LAW 236"
COURSE NAME: "Crime, Deviance, and Media"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2023
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: James Teasdale
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: MW 1:30 PM 2:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisites: SOSC/LAW 221 or permission of the instructor
OFFICE HOURS:

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course introduces students to debates on how crime and deviance are portrayed in contemporary media. On one hand, media provide us with insights into often-hidden worlds, revealing some of the ways in which crime operates and deviance is experienced. On the other hand, media deeply influence how we label some people and activities as “criminal” and “deviant” and how we then perceive and respond to these individually, socially, and politically. It is both a mirror to society and a powerful force in molding social relations. Throughout the course, students engage with theoretical frameworks from sociology and communication studies in order to analyze the construction of crime and deviance in films, television shows, newspapers, televised news and social media. The topics explored include prisons, organized crime, serial killers, as well as the enduring and recurring depictions of certain actors in society, such as women, children and police(men).

SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

The course is divided into two distinct, yet complementary, sections each week. The first lesson focuses on specific sociological and communications theories and debates which are then applied, in the second class of the week, to a particular ‘real world’ case study of media engagement with crime and deviance. In this way, students learn dominant theoretical perspectives in these fields and then critically analyze their relative strengths and weaknesses for understanding concrete examples. This allows students to simultaneously unpack how/whether the case studies reflect theories of crime and deviance but also to question how the media products themselves affect and shape our perceptions.


LEARNING OUTCOMES:

On completing this course students will be able to:

 

·         Recognize the key theories, concepts and terminology used in sociological and media studies debate on crime and deviance

·         Build critical analytical thinking skills by applying the key theories to recent case-studies of media products and evaluating their explanatory effectiveness.

·         Apply those critical analytical skills orally and in writing

·         Reflect on the global dimensions of the social processes and interactions being studied

·         Reflexively connect their individual biographies and perspectives on crime and deviance to broader theories of media effects

TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
 Assignment Guidelines Weight Two mid-term exams Two written essays which test knowledge of a single theoretical perspective. Students are required to summarize its academic strengths and weaknesses, and support this view by briefly applying the theory to a case study. 40% Final Assignment A full research paper deploying one or more theoretical perspectives in the service of one or more case studies of choice, to be discussed with the professor in advance. 35 % Class contribution The out of class critical reading is vital to this course. Students will be expected not only to have read the texts but be prepared to critique and defend them in class discussions. 10% Final Presentation A final in-class presentation of the research conducted for the Final Assignment. 15%  

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.

-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY
You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed. The final exam period runs until ____________
ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.

SCHEDULE

Week 1 – Course outline, syllabus overview and introduction / A sociological and communications ‘review’

Week 2 – The Hypodermic Model and Deterrence and Agenda Setting, Framing and Normalization / ‘Cops’

Week 3 – Reception Theory and Labelling Theory / ‘Joker’

Week 4 – Gratification Model and Functionalism / ‘The Sopranos’

Week 5 – 1st Exam and Review

Week 6 – Moral Panic and Foucault / The cases of Madeleine McCann and James Bulger

Week 7 – Cultivation Theory and Postmodernism / Covid conspiracies, vaccines, masks and QAnon

Week 8 – Disinhibitory Effect and Conflict Theory / Online abuse and social media

Week 9 – Vicarious Living, Catharism and Functionalism / True Crime and ‘Silence of the Lambs’

Week 10 – 2nd Exam and Review

Week 11 – Symbolic Interactionism and Hegemonic Masculinity / Depp vs. Heard Trial

Week 12 – Boomerang Effect and Anomie / Wade vs. Roe

Week 13 – Foucault, The Panopticon and Opportunity Theory and Media Bias / ‘Cool Hand Luke’ and the media presentation of prisons as ‘hotels’

Week 14 – Final presentations of research papers