Degree/Program Title: Crime Reporting Module

Sponsor(s): Wilfred Tremblay, Bruce Wiegand

Department(s): Communication, Sociology

College(s): Arts and Communication, Letters and Sciences

Effective Term: Fall 2002
 
 

Check if:
 

______		New Degree: Intent to Plan
______		New Degree: Final Proposal
______		New Major: Intent to Plan
______		New Major: Final Proposal
______		New Submajor: Minor
______	New Submajor: Emphasis/Track
______	New Submajor: Certificate Program
______	Module: Intent to Plan
__X___	Module: Final Proposal
______	Other ___________________

Submit the Proposal (see Procedures)

I Theme. This carefully selected cluster of courses will enhance an understanding of the criminal justice system for journalism students and provide criminal justice students with the communication skills necessary to become effective advocates for their discipline.

This module may be completed at the UW-Whitewater campus or at Deakin University in Australia. The option to complete the module at Deakin will further enhance the abilities of both constituencies by providing a tangible model of a comparative system that will facilitate an appreciation for the unique characteristics of both the American criminal justice and media systems.

The UW-W Sociology and Communication departments have existing relationships with their peer departments at Deakin University and have identified an extensive list of equivalent courses, including those listed in this module. UW-W faculty has working and research relationships with Deakin faculty and both institutions have established operational agreements regarding registration, tuition and housing.

II Rationale. As a result of jointly funded research, both sponsors have identified the need for

such a program in both constituencies. There is little formal training for crime reporters. Similarly, criminologists have little understanding of media process or how to relate their activities to broader audiences.

The program is value-added education. Without requiring additional courses or FTE, this carefully chosen curriculum will prepare and identify successful module graduates as competent to work in communication positions within the criminal justice system or to report on criminal activities in the public media. (Module completion will be identified on student transcripts.)

This module meets a number of the following priorities in the UW-W Strategic Plan:

Priority 1: "UW-Whitewater will keep student learning as the paramount focus of its programs and services;" Also satisfies the related sub-goal: "Academic programs that are intellectually challenging, current, and dynamic."

Priority 2: "UW-Whitewater will deliver state of the art programs and services."

Priority 5: "UW-Whitewater will serve as a vital resource, particularly to the region."

III Student Outcomes. When a student has completed this module, he or she should be able to:

· Identify characteristics of the crime reporting in the US and the subsequent impact upon the criminal justice system.

· Recognize strengths and weaknesses of US crime reporting in relation to approaches taken in another Western democracy (Australia).

· Develop the tangible communication skills necessary in order to relate criminal justice information to the public.
 
 

For UW-Journalism Majors/Minors	For UW-Criminal Justice Majors/Minors
1st Semester Classes Select 3 of following 4 classes (9 credits) ASC 270 Sociology and the Law (1 unit) ASC 246 Sociology of the Media and Pop Culture(1) ASL 111 Criminal Justice System (1) ASL 206 Community Oriented Policing (1) PLUS Elective (1) Select elective on Australian history, culture, etc. with consent of advisor (does not count toward module.)	1st Semester Classes Select the following 3 classes (9 credits) ALJ 111 Contemporary Journalism (1) ALJ 313 The Writer and the Law (1) ALC 101 Introduction to Communication A (1) PLUS Elective (1) Select elective on Australian history, culture, etc. with consent of advisor. Does not count toward module.

PLUS (3 credits)

2nd Semester Classes Select 3 of following 4 classes (9 credits) ASL 112 Police and Society (1) ASL 204 Issues and Ethics in Policing (1) ASL 205 Police, Drugs and Society (1) ASL 310 Police Studies/Crim. Research Project (1) PLUS Elective (1) Select elective on Australian history, culture, etc. with consent of advisor. Does not count toward module.

2nd Semester Classes Take the following 3 classes(9 credits) ALJ 112 Comparative Journalism Studies (1) ALJ 320 Research into Australian Journalism (1) ALC102 Introduction to Communication B (1) PLUS Elective (1) Select elective on Australian history, culture, etc. with consent of advisor. Does not count toward module.

PLUS (3 credits)

The following course at UW-W 880 276 Intro to Criminology (at UW-W) (3) 166 420 Law of Mass Communication (3)

· Criminal Justice students may not count module courses for a journalism/advertising minor.

· Journalism students may not count module courses for a criminal justice/sociology minor.

· A UW-W student must register for 4 units (12 credits) to be eligible for financial aid.

· Course requirements differ each semester due to the schedule of course offerings at the    Geelong campus.
 
 

For UW-Journalism Majors/Minors	For UW-Criminal Justice Majors/Minors
880-276 Intro to Criminology Plus 3 of the following classes 880-370 Juvenile Delinquency 880-372 White Collar Crime 880-374 Police and the Courts 880-378 Control and Rehabilitation of the Offender 880-379 Women & Crime	164-243 Newswriting 164-244 Reporting Plus 2 of the following classes 164-246 Electronic Media Newswriting and Production 164-303 Feature Writing 164-406 Reporting Public Affairs 164 420 Law of Mass Communication

· Criminal Justice students may not count module courses for a journalism/advertising minor.

· Journalism students may not count module courses for a criminal justice/sociology minor.