PSCI407 Criminal Justice and the Media (3 cr.)

This course examines the roles and responsibilities of the media and law enforcement when reporting crime and responding to criminal justice issues. Students identify, analyze, and describe the media relationships of various criminal justice agencies, discuss data privacy laws, explore media influence, and understand its impact on policing.

Upon completion of this course, students are expected to be able to do the following:

1. Develop an understanding of the relationship and interactions of various media outlets and law enforcement agencies.
2. Understand the role of media organizations and how different mediums influence public opinion.
3. Identify past and current issues facing the law enforcement community relating to image and public support.
4. Analyze police-media relationships and develop responses to current public opinion issues.
5. Evaluate various law enforcement media procedures and understand the importance of the public information officer.
6. Analyze how law enforcement organizations and their effectiveness are related to media relationships and the perception of media relationships and the perception of crime.
7. Understand Minnesota data privacy laws.