191-428 Crime and Culture

Normally 37.5 points of second/third year criminology subjects for third year and admission to the postgraduate diploma or fourth year honours in criminology for fourth year. However, the subject is available to cultural studies, social theory or gender studies students who have not completed 37.5 points of criminology subjects.

Cinema and television have become immensely popular and influential cultural forms. This subject investigates the relationship between crime and culture by focusing on representations of crime and justice in film and television. The subject considers these representations in the context of recent debates about the cultural construction of crime in criminology, socio-legal studies, cultural studies and film theory. It will develop the skills necessary for analyzing images of crime and justice in film and television and will also examine a number of case studies (including television crime drama; trial movies; the cultural fascination with the serial killer; youth culture, hip hop and graffiti; and the cinematic depiction of violence and gender).

• have highly developed cognitive, analytical and problem-solving skills;

• have an advanced understanding of complex concepts and the ability to express them lucidly in writing and orally;

• have sophisticated awareness of cultural, ethnic and gender diversities and their implications.

A written essay of 4000 words on a topic set by the coordinator or on the student's selected topic in consultation with the coordinator 100% (due at the end of semester). For students at 4th year and above the essay will be of 5000 words.