191-438 Criminal Fictions

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

Crime stories fascinate everyone. This subject studies a wide range and type of crime stories, including those in newspapers, legal cases, detective stories, and literature. The subject involves theories and methods for analyzing stories told about crime by victims, offenders, criminal justice agents, criminologists, and members of the general public. The aim is to examine narrative structures and genres in stories about crime; to read narratives about crime in their social, historical and cultural contexts; and to study the legitimation of particular voices and stories. Examples to be studied include detective fiction; crime fiction; news media accounts of crime; survivor testimony; eyewitness testimony; policy reports; and criminological studies. Students who complete the subject should be able to analyse critically the construction of crime narratives, and their purpose, audience, and genre.

• 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;

• have an ability to plan work and to use time effectively.

A 1500 word critical analysis of one of the theory and method topics covered on the course, together with relevant reading, 30% (due early in the semester), and a critical analysis of a relevant case study or example on a topic set by the coordinator or in consultation with the coordinator, 2500 words for third year students and 3500 words for fourth year students 70% (due at the end of semester).

A subject reader will be available from the University Bookshop