3B034E - Crime, Media and Culture 01 Sep 2026 - 31 Aug 2032 | Version 0

Associated Module Information

Module Code: 3B034E
Module Title: Crime, Media and Culture
Faculty: Faculty of Business and Creative Industries
Faculty Group: Business Management
Faculty Sub Group: Business Management
Module Leader: Joanne Bates
Module Team:
First Intended Intake: SEP 2026 Final Year of Intake: 2031
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 30 Credit Level: 3
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100302 - history 100484 - criminology 100485 - law 100486 - policing
HECOS Code Weighting: 20 25 30 25

Document Version Information

Version 0
Valid From 01 Sep 2026
Valid To 31 Aug 2032

Module Aims

The main aims of the module are: 

  • Introduce students to key concepts and debates in crime, justice, and media representation.  

  • Develop students' ability to critically analyse justice issues through interdisciplinary perspectives.  

  • Enable students to propose and communicate evidence-based reforms to contemporary justice challenges 

Content Summary

This module introduces students to the complex relationships between crime, justice, and society, with a particular focus on how media, identity, and public perception shape criminal justice policy and practice. Through weekly explorations of topics such as media representations, labelling theory, penal populism, legal reform, and systemic bias, students will critically engage with contemporary justice issues. The module culminates in a challenge-based presentation where students propose evidence-informed reforms to the justice system. This module supports interdisciplinary learning for students in Law, Criminology, Public Services, Youth Justice, Policing and History. 

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 12
Practical Classes and Workshops 12
Demonstration 4
Seminar 4
Groupwork 24
Formative assessment 30
Summative Assessment 30
Guided Study 184
Total Hours Selected 300

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Critically analyse how crime, justice, and identity are represented and perceived in society, drawing on criminological, legal, and media perspectives.
LO2 Collaboratively develop and communicate evidence-based reform proposals for contemporary justice issues through structured research and professional presentation.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Presentation (Asynchronous) 1 The summative assessment takes the form of a group presentation with a viva element, which is a valid and authentic method for assessing students’ ability to apply knowledge to real-world justice issues 15 N/A 100 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Presentation (Asynchronous) 1 ✔ ✔

Reading List

Essential Reading 

  1. Ashworth, A. & Horder, J. (2022) Principles of Criminal Law (9th ed.) – Oxford University Press 
    Covers foundational principles of criminal law, including moral and legal responsibility. 

  1. Newburn, T. (2023) Criminology (4th ed.) – Oxford University Press 
    Comprehensive overview of criminological theory, media, and justice policy. 

  1. Lacey, N. (2018) In Search of Criminal Responsibility – Oxford University Press 
    Explores the relationship between law, morality, and social control. 

  1. McLaughlin, E. & Muncie, J. (Eds.) (2021) The Sage Dictionary of Criminology – Sage 
    Useful for definitions and short explanations of key terms and theories. 

Supplementary Reading 

  1. Jewkes, Y. (2015) Media and Crime (3rd ed.) – Sage 
    Focuses on media representations of crime and their societal impact. 

  1. Garland, D. (2001) The Culture of Control – Oxford University Press 
    Explores penal populism and the transformation of criminal justice. 

  1. Cavadino, M., Dignan, J., & Mair, G. (2019) The Penal System: An Introduction (5th ed.) – Sage 
    Covers sentencing, punishment, and penal policy in the UK. 

  1. Charman, S. & Corcoran, M. (2022) Criminal Justice in Crisis – Policy Press 
    Examines contemporary challenges in the justice system. 

Weekly Reading List 

Week 1: Media Representations of Crime 

  • Jewkes, Y. (2015). Media and Crime (3rd ed.). Sage. 

  • Greer, C. (2009). Crime and Media: A Reader. Routledge. 

Week 2: Labelling and Deviance 

  • Becker, H. (1963). Outsiders: Studies in the Sociology of Deviance. Free Press. 

  • Goode, E. & Ben-Yehuda, N. (2009). Moral Panics: The Social Construction of Deviance (2nd ed.). Wiley-Blackwell. 

Week 3: Penal Populism and Sentencing 

  • Pratt, J. (2007). Penal Populism. Routledge. 

  • Ashworth, A. & Horder, J. (2022). Principles of Criminal Law (9th ed.). Oxford University Press. 

Week 4: Legal Reform and Social Change 

  • Lacey, N. (2018). In Search of Criminal Responsibility. Oxford University Press. 

  • Loveland, I. (2021). Constitutional Law, Administrative Law, and Human Rights (9th ed.). Oxford University Press. 

Week 5: Stereotypes and Identity in the Criminal Justice System 

  • Phillips, C. & Bowling, B. (2017). Ethnicities, Racism, Crime and Criminal Justice. Oxford University Press. 

  • Heidensohn, F. & Silvestri, M. (2012). Gender and Crime (2nd ed.). Palgrave Macmillan. 

Week 6: Reforming the Justice System 

  • Cavadino, M., Dignan, J., & Mair, G. (2019). The Penal System: An Introduction (5th ed.). Sage. 

  • Charman, S. & Corcoran, M. (2022). Criminal Justice in Crisis. Policy Press.