Media and Crime
UndergraduateLTU-LCR10022026
Course information for 2026 intake
Enrol today with instant approval and no entry requirements
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Enrol by
- 5 July 2026
- Entry requirements
- No ATAR needed, No prior study
- Duration
- 12 weeks
- Start dates
- 13 July 2026
- Price from
- $2,174
- Upfront cost
- $0
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Media and Crime
About this subject
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Understand and analyse the processes through which crime news is constructed, disseminated, and consumed.
- Analyse and deconstruct media representations of crime, using relevant criminological concepts.
- Identify and examine various biases and stereotypes produced by dominant media representations of crime.
- Apply criminological concepts to real-world media examples, contrasting media with evidence-based research about crime and justice.
- Develop communication and collaboration skills while working in a team.
- Doing Media Criminology
- Making Crime News: Realities, Constructs, and Media Influence
- Crime, Culture, and Media
- Moral Panics, Folk Devils and Trial by Media
- Crime, Fear and the Media
- Criminology at the Movies
- TV Justice: The Hero, the Villain, and the Victim
- Policing and the Courts in the Media
- Copycat Crimes in the Digital Age
- Mic’d Up for Justice: The Rise of True Crime Podcasts
- Podcasting in Practice: Assessment Preparation and Support
The media plays a fundamental role in shaping how society understands, and often fears, crime. In Media and Crime you will critically examine the complexities in how traditional and contemporary news and entertainment media reports on crime, harm and justice. In this subject, you will learn a diverse range of concepts related to media representation, including: news values and newsworthiness, performance crime, agenda setting, and the media’s role in shaping public perceptions and discourses about crime and justice. You will also learn about semiotics. The study of signs and symbols is a powerful tool used by the entertainment media to communicate complex ideas and narratives. Entertainment media, including films, TV shows, news broadcasts, and computer and console games often depict crime in ways that reflect and reinforce societal beliefs using semiotics. As consumers of media, it is important to develop critical media literacy skills so you can better analyse and question the messages you consume.
- Students will complete a series of learning activities (1500 words) (30%)
- Media analysis (1800 words) (40%)
- Students will complete a media related presentation (1000 word equivalent, per student) (30%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
The third university established in Victoria, La Trobe University has a diverse community of more than 38,000 students and staff. Its commitment to excellence in teaching and research prepares students to make a bold and positive impact in today's global community. La Trobe provides Open Universities Australia with its core tenets, entrepreneurship and sustainability.
Learn more about La Trobe University.
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- 15
Entry requirements
No entry requirements
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
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What to study next?
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
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Undergraduate Certificate in Health Sciences
UndergraduateLAT-HSC-CTF
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