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Created: July 27, 2003
Latest Update: September 12, 2003
jeannecurran@habermas.org
takata@uwp.edu

CRMJ 490-01: Media, Crime, and Criminal Justice

You will be held accountable for purposes of grading for the readings and exercises listed here. There will be no "testing." That means that you will not have to live in anxious anticipation of what we will ask and how much you will have to know. Instead, we will provide weekly discussion questions, lectures, essays, and concepts we feel that you should know as a result of having taken this course. You will assure us of that learning and receive your grade for the questions and concepts about which you choose to write and talk with us. In addition you will find detailed explanations and examples on our grading policies in the first week's reading.

* * * * *

Week 4: Week of September 21, 2003

Topic: Media and the Social Construction of Crime and Justice

Preparatory Readings:

• Potter and Kappeler. Constructing Crime -- Chapters 1-5 and 6-11

Lecture related links:


--- Martha Minow. Making All the Difference: Exclusion, Inclusion and American Law. Check out this link Martha Minow on the Dear Habermas site.



Concepts to be covered:

• definition of the situation
• the social construction of reality
• presentation of self
• labeling/stereotyping
• difference
• identity politics
• the Other



Discussion Questions:

1. In "Crime Waves as Ideology," why does Mark Fishman state: "Crime waves are prime candidates for ideology," (p. 54)? What are some recent examples of crime waves? Why.

2. Relating to Berger and Luckmann's concept, "the social construction of reality," how real is "reality TV"? Why. Be sure to incorporate the readings in your answer.

3. In Part 2 of the Potter and Kappeler book (Constructing Crime Problems), which author best explains the social construction of a crime problem? Why.

Suggested Activities:

• Select one demographic characteristic. Trace historically how this characteristic has been portrayed in the media. Explain why these media images have changed over time.
• Watch one "reality television" program. Critique what is real with what is not real. Explain why. Relate your critique to some of the concepts discussed in class.

Recommended Readings:

• Charles Silberman. Criminal Violence, Criminal Justice.
• Gaye Tuchman. The TV Establishment.
• Herbert Schiller. Mind Managers.
• Herbert Schiller. Information Inequality.
• Peter Berger and Thomas Luckmann. The Social Construction of Reality.
• Erving Goffman. Presentation of Self in Everyday Life.

Media Sources:

Left/Right Perspectives - Cursor - New York Times
Arts and Letters Daily - The Economist - The Guardian
Wall Street Journal -The Weekly Standard - The Nation
Los Angeles Times - Chicago Tribune - The Washington Post
Cursor's Al Jazeera Archive - Ha'aretz - Palestine Monitor


Indymedia - BBC News - New Profile - Progressive Sociologists Network





Now, check the Minimum Requirements for Media, Crime and Criminal Justice - Weeks 3 and 4.

takata@uwp.edu