TEXTBOOK for course: Thompson, William E. and Jennifer C. Gibbs. 2016. Deviance & Deviants: A
Sociological Approach. First edition. Hoboken: Wiley-Blackwell.
Earlier this week you were asked to share a clip from your favorite crime show. In this assignment you will provide a brief analysis of the show’s treatment of crime and policing, and discuss the impact the show’s message may have on viewers. Before completing this assignment, pay special attention to this module’s Five Things, part 2.
Essay Guidelines:
In this essay you should provide an analysis of a crime show’s treatment of crime and policing, and discuss the impact the show’s message may have on viewers. Before completing this assignment, pay special attention to this module’s Five Things, part 2.
Be sure to include all of the following:
1. What show did you choose? Briefly describe the show. What is the show’s premise/focus? Is it based on fact or fiction?
2. Identify at least one crime myth that has been addressed in the show. How did the show address the myth? Did the creators accept the myth or call it into question?
3. Discuss how the show addresses the role of gender, class or race (choose one) in crime and/or victimization. Give a specific example from the show. Does the show’s portrayal of the issue match what you’ve learned in this module?
4. Give two examples of ways that the show portrays (or has portrayed) crime and/or policing in an inaccurate way. Overall, how accurate do you think the show is in portraying these issues? What impact do you think this has on viewers’ perceptions of crime and policing?