Criminal Minds

We watched an episode of Criminal Minds. We didn't get through all of it las class so we will finish watching the rest of it on Tuesday. We will have a discussion on what the value of these types of shows are soon.

How to Research

How to do a proper internet research:

1. Keywords to search....make sure your search is not too narrow or too broad

2.  Use different search engines.....

• Google (Scholar)
• Bing
• Yahoo
• Metacrawler
• Surfwax
• Clusty

3.  Bookmark pages.....that way you can find them at a later date and examine them closer

4.  Consider source

• should have no commercials
• opinion/fact
• is overly positive or negative
• APA format

Used the following website to research 'Unsolved Mysteries"

Unsolved Mysteries

Prostitution or Pitbulls

I want you to choose one of the following two articles. Both have had considerable media coverage over the last few years. Both articles deal with issues that are polarizing in that people are very passionate about them. You need to read one of the articles and take a side. Consider why you have the opinion that you do? Has the media swayed your view on this topic?
Your response must take a side and then explain why you feel that way. Please post your response on your blog by the end of next week....October 5

Prostitution

http://www.theprovince.com/life/Editorial+time+bulls/7172256/story.html

Violence in the Media

Today we focused on how and why the media misrepresents violence. Most Canadians learn about serious crime through the media rather than from first-hand experience. Stories in radio, tv and newspaperssshape our views avout crime and criminals. Writers of tv shows and movies use violence to attract viewers and to sell tickets. Newspaper editors and tv reporters select crime news to maximize ratings.

Today we looked at this media misrepresentation.

• top 10 list of most violent movies/video games
• search through local newspaper to find articles skewed for violence
• discuss the question....can the media cause crime/violence

 Students were responsible for the following assignment:

Find a individual who has been linked to a serious crime (ie. murder) who has blamed it on some form of media:

1. Give the name of the individual
2. What was the crime
3. What sentence was handed down
4. What evidence was used in court to convict this person
5. What was the defence used by the accused (how was the media blamed)
6. your opinion....do you think it was legit?

Homework   Post your response to this work on your blog!!!

Thursday September 13 2012

Today we discussed the difference between Consensus Theory of Law and Conflict Theory of Law
Also....the students get a chance to create their own blogs!!! Good luck....I hope you have better success than I did.
The purpose of your personal blog is going to be like having your own portfolio.

Welcome to Crim 12 Blog

This blog is intended for you to interact with the course on many levels

Few issues attract more public attention and generate more public debate than those involving crime and victimization. Unfortunately these debates are too often based on emotion rather than the best available information. Students in Criminology 12 will be able to gain insights into the origin and maintenance of criminal behaviour, why some behaviours are criminal and others are not, and how the criminal justice system works. The overall objective is to provide students with the theories and methods necessary to better understand the realities of crime and control, which will allow them to participate and hopefully make a difference in these areas.

Tuesday September 11 2012

Today we worked on a couple of different things

• self evaluation write up on your personality test
• discussion on what is a crime? Are we criminals for downloading free music from the internet?
• What is Criminology?
• Handed out Chapter 1 booklet
• Read two stories of the Sand Brothers and Conrad Black.....Pg. 3-9. Venn diagram on the similarities and differences between the two case studies........Due next class