Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2018 - CRIM 318 D900

Special Topics in Criminology (3)

Media&PopularCulture

Class Number: 7855

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 4 – Dec 3, 2018: Thu, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Surrey

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Dec 8, 2018
    Sat, 8:30–11:30 a.m.
    Surrey

  • Prerequisites:

    CRIM 101.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

A critical analysis of specific areas of criminology or criminal justice. The subjects covered will change from term to term depending on the specific interests of faculty, or students and current issues in criminology.

COURSE DETAILS:

In this course we explore beliefs about crime, deviance, and the criminal justice system as represented and reflected in the artefacts of popular and news media and how these beliefs have historically affected North American culture. Using a variety of current and historical media such as news (print, radio, television, and internet), movies, literature, music videos, and video games, we will explore the changing attitudes and beliefs about crime and deviance and the resulting changes in the practices and policies of the criminal justice systems in Canada and the United States over the past 100 years.  Through the analysis of these records, we will examine phenomena such as civil rights, changing social and sexual mores, the fear of crime, the advent of restorative justice, and the development of moral panics to see how these phenomena are both formed and reflected through the media we immerse ourselves in daily.

COURSE OBJECTIVES: Students will:
1.  Develop an understanding the role media, in all its forms, plays in influencing our social, cultural, and political beliefs in Canada and the United States.
2.  Develop a critical approach to analyzing information related to crime, deviance, and the criminal justice system as presented in news and popular entertainment forms.  
3. Understand the impact fake news and propaganda can have on the general public and how this impact may lead to significant social movements and social change, some of which may be detrimental to one or more groups in a society.
4. Comprehend the role political propaganda may serve for those with power and influence when presented as entertainment through movies, music videos, video games, and message boards on the Internet.
5. Understand how the Internet has changed the manner in which we consume information and the breadth of  information we are exposed to and how these may result in the narrowing of our understanding of the world (i.e., the echo chamber effect).

Grading

  • PARTICIPATION including attendance, active discussion and demonstration of having read assigned text chapters and supplementary readings, group projects, mini-presentations, debate etc. 20%
  • TERM PAPER 1 20%
  • TERM PAPER 2 20%
  • PRESENTATION (group) 20%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Carrabine, Eamonn (2008).  Crime, Culture and the Media. Cambridge, UK: Polity Press ISBN: 13:978-0745634661 or 10:074563466-1


Department Undergraduate Notes:

ATTENTION: STUDENTS WITH A DISABILITY: Please contact the Centre for Students with Disabilities, (MBC 1250 or Phone 778-782-3112) if you need or require assistance, not your individual instructors.  
  • N.B.: Students are reminded that attendance in the first week of classes is important. However, there are no tutorials in the first week.
  • ON CAMPUS COURSES ONLY: Assignments not submitted to the Professor/T.A. during class/office hours must be placed in the security box behind the General Office (ASSC 10125), or submitted as per Professor’s instructions for courses taking place at Surrey Campus. The assignment drop-off box is emptied Monday to Friday at 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. only and the contents are date stamped accordingly. No other department’s date stamp will apply (e.g. Library/Campus Security) and the School of Criminology is not responsible for assignments submitted any other way (e.g. slid under office doors). The University does NOT accept assignments by fax. 
  • A student must complete ALL aspects of a course (including assignments, exams, class participation, presentations, chat room components of Distance Education courses and other), otherwise he/she will receive a grade of N. 
  • E-mail policy for on campus courses only: The School of Criminology STRONGLY DISCOURAGES the use of e-mail in lieu of office hour visits. Criminology advises its instructional staff that they are NOT required to respond to student e-mails and that students wishing to confer with them should do so in person during scheduled meeting times.
  • The University has formal policies regarding intellectual dishonesty and grade appeals which may be obtained from the General Office of the School of Criminology.
  • Under GP18, the University has policies and procedures which respond to our obligations under the BC Human Rights Code to provide a harassment and discrimination free environment for the students, staff and faculty of this institution.  Members of this community have an affirmative obligation to safeguard the human rights of others.
UNIVERSITY POLICY FORBIDS FINAL EXAMINATIONS WHILE CLASSES ARE STILL IN SESSION.

Registrar Notes:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://students.sfu.ca/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS