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Detailed Course Information

 

Fall 2021
Mar 28,2024
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Information Select the desired Level or Schedule Type to find available classes for the course.

SOCI 248 - CRIME AND MEDIA
Sociologists conceptualize culture in myriad ways, but are particularly interested in how institutions shape cultural norms. Media are ubiquitous in modern life, and a primary conduit for the communication of culture. This course uses sociological theory, both classic and contemporary, to examine how media shape such norms with respect to how we understand crime and the criminal justice system in the context of the American cultural landscape. Particular attention is paid to how media reinforce harmful stereotypes, inequality, and marginality. Students will examine both historical and current cultural artifacts (films, TV shows, comic books, news stories, songs, etc...) and learn to analyze the artifacts through the lens of communication and criminological theories. We will examine how media representations construct social reality, and the effect of this on perceptions of crime, and criminal justice policies. Special attention is paid to cultural constructions of the “newsworthiness” of crime stories, and how journalistic practice contributes to inaccurate public information about crime and criminals. Finally, we review approaches used by social scientists to systematically study media representations and culture.
0.000 TO 4.000 Credit hours
0.000 TO 4.000 Lecture hours

Levels: Undergraduate
Schedule Types: Hybrid, Lecture, Online Course

Sociology Department

Course Attributes:
Gen Ed 18-Culture & Creativity, OLD GE TOPICS SOCIAL SCIENCE

Restrictions:
Must be enrolled in one of the following Levels:     
      Undergraduate

Prerequisites:
FOR SOCI 248

General Requirements:
Course or Test: SOSC 110
Minimum Grade of D
May not be taken concurrently.  )
or
Course or Test: HNRS 110
Minimum Grade of D
May not be taken concurrently. )


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