California State University, Dominguez Hills
University of Wisconsin, Parkside
Soka University Japan - Transcend Art and Peace
Created: July 27, 2003
Latest Update: February 1, 2004
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.
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Week 3: Week of February 1, 2004
Topic: Media and the Social Construction of Crime and Justice
- Potter and Kappeler. Constructing Crime -- Chapters 1-5
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:
- the social construction of reality
- presentation of self
- identity politics
- the Other
- 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.
- 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.
- In Part 2 (Constructing Crime Problems) of the Potter and Kappeler book, which author best explains the social construction of a crime problem? Why.
- 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.
- 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.
- Charles Silberman. Criminal Violence, Criminal Justice.