‘True’ Crime? Developing Critical Thinking Skills Through Criminology from edX

Overview: In our everyday life, we are constantly interacting with social media. Much of this interaction occurs at a fast pace. Given this, how often do we stop to think critically about what we hear and read? This course is designed to develop your critical thinking skills when engaging with the media. This course takes a novel approach to help you learn how to engage with social media with a critical lens by drawing upon the growing global interest in true-crime documentaries, podcasts and other socially mediated representations of crime and its control. We offer learners a ‘critical thinking toolkit’ that is transportable to their academic courses, workplace and, more broadly, in their daily life.

Structure: The course is a six-week self-paced, online course. The course is divided into 6 sections. While we encourage students to follow the structure of the course, each section can be used/studied independently as part of a course or research focus.

Topics covered: Critical thinking: tools, narratives, and critiques * Sex work * Drug use and supply * Investigative journalism * Wildlife and animal trafficking * Human trafficking * Selling sex in cyber space * Online sleuths and scam baiters

Key questions explored: What is critical thinking? What is crime? What is media? How does the media influence our understanding of crime? How does the media help and hinder our perceptions about crime? How does the digital age shape our understanding of crime? How does media shape our perceptions and fears of the control of crime? Is social justice helped and/or hindered by social media?

Speakers: This course is developed by the University of Hong Kong, but we have experts joining us from around the world. Our course is multi-disciplinary with experts with backgrounds in criminology, journalism, media studies, gender studies, law and criminal justice. Moreover, our speakers include academics, journalists, police detectives, NGO workers and volunteers, and barristers.

What's inside

Learning objectives

By the end of the course,
Learners will learn to recognise and acquire critical thinking skills.

Learners explore and analyse media depiction of crime.
Learners will understand the importance of critical thinking in daily life.

By the end of the course,
Learners will learn to recognise and acquire critical thinking skills.
Learners explore and analyse media depiction of crime.
Learners will understand the importance of critical thinking in daily life.

Syllabus

1. Introducing and Defining: Critical Thinking, Media and Crime

We begin the process of critical thinking by defining what critical thinking is and why it’s important. We also begin to critically think about our key terms ‘crime’ and ‘media’, and how they are related.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Features experts from criminology, journalism, media studies, gender studies, law, and criminal justice, offering a multidisciplinary perspective

Explores topics like sex work, drug use, human trafficking, and online crime, providing relevant case studies for critical analysis

Examines the influence of media on understanding crime, which is highly relevant for those working in journalism, law, or social justice

Includes perspectives from academics, journalists, police detectives, NGO workers, volunteers, and barristers, offering diverse viewpoints

Focuses on developing critical thinking skills applicable to academic courses, the workplace, and daily life, making it broadly useful

Requires learners to critically think about 'crime' and 'media', which may be challenging for those without prior exposure to these topics

Reviews summary

Critical thinking through true crime

According to learners, this course offers a positive and unique approach to developing critical thinking skills by using the popular subject of true crime as a lens. Students appreciated the diverse perspectives offered by a range of global experts, including academics, journalists, and police detectives. The course provides a useful critical thinking toolkit that many found highly relevant and applicable to analyzing media, navigating daily information, and even professional contexts, extending far beyond crime topics. While the course is widely praised for its engaging format and content, some learners felt that certain complex topics could go deeper, suggesting it serves best as an introductory overview. A few reviewers also noted that some quizzes were occasionally unclear. Overall, it's considered a well-structured and valuable course for anyone looking to sharpen their analytical skills in the digital age.

Features insights from a wide range of experts and fields.

"Hearing from different experts (academics, journalists, police) was fascinating and provided well-rounded views."

"The multidisciplinary approach added so much depth to the topics discussed."

"Appreciated the diverse range of topics covered within the criminology theme and the variety of speakers."

Skills learned are applicable beyond the course topics.

"The critical thinking skills taught here are applicable to so many areas of life, not just crime or media."

"I can use what I learned at work and when reading news or engaging with social media."

"Highly relevant for anyone navigating information and media in the digital age."

Provides practical tools to analyze information and media.

"The 'critical thinking toolkit' section was particularly useful and practical for everyday life."

"I feel better equipped now to analyze information, especially from media and online sources."

"This course genuinely helped me sharpen my critical thinking skills in various contexts, not just criminology."

Uses true crime as an engaging way to teach critical thinking.

"The unique approach of using true crime to explain critical thinking was brilliant and kept me engaged."

"I never thought about crime media this way before; it really changed my perspective on what I consume."

"Using true crime examples made learning critical thinking concepts surprisingly engaging and relevant to current events."

Some quizzes were occasionally perceived as unclear.

"Found some of the quiz questions a bit tricky or poorly worded at times."

"The assessments didn't always seem to test the core concepts from the videos directly."

"Wish the quiz instructions were clearer or better aligned with lecture content."

Some topics might feel too brief for in-depth learners.

"While broad, some topics felt a bit rushed; I wanted more depth on certain case studies."

"It's a good introduction, but don't expect deep dives into every subject area."

"Felt like certain complex issues were only briefly touched upon before moving on."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in ‘True’ Crime? Developing Critical Thinking Skills Through Criminology with these activities:

Thinking, Fast and Slow

Show steps

Provides a foundational understanding of cognitive biases and heuristics, crucial for critical thinking.

View Noise: A Flaw in Human Judgment on Amazon

Show steps

Read the book, focusing on cognitive biases.
Take notes on key concepts and examples.
Reflect on how these biases might affect perceptions of crime.

Debate Media Portrayals of Crime

Show steps

Enhances critical thinking skills through peer debate on media portrayals of crime.

Browse courses on Media

Show steps

Choose a specific media portrayal of crime.
Prepare arguments for and against the portrayal.
Participate in a debate with peers.
Reflect on the different perspectives presented.

Compilation of Media Bias Resources

Show steps

Enhances understanding of media bias by compiling resources and examples.

Browse courses on Media Bias

Show steps

Research different types of media bias.
Find examples of each type of bias in news articles.
Compile the resources and examples into a document.
Write a short summary of each type of bias.

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Analyze a True Crime Podcast Episode

Show steps

Develops critical thinking skills by analyzing a true crime podcast episode for biases and narrative techniques.

Show steps

Choose a true crime podcast episode.
Listen to the episode and take notes.
Identify potential biases in the narrative.
Analyze the use of language and storytelling techniques.
Write a critical analysis of the episode.

Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup

Show steps

Provides a case study in how media hype and narratives can obscure the truth, reinforcing the need for critical evaluation.

View Bad Blood on Amazon

Show steps

Read the book and take notes on key events.
Analyze how the media portrayed Theranos.
Identify the ways in which the company manipulated public perception.
Reflect on the lessons learned from the Theranos scandal.

Investigative Journalism Simulation

Show steps

Applies critical thinking skills by simulating an investigative journalism project on a local crime issue.

Show steps

Choose a local crime issue to investigate.
Research the issue and gather information.
Conduct interviews with relevant individuals.
Write a news article based on the investigation.
Present the findings in a clear and concise manner.

Create a Presentation on Crime Statistics

Show steps

Solidifies understanding of crime statistics and their interpretation by creating a presentation.

Browse courses on Crime Statistics

Show steps

Research crime statistics for a specific region.
Analyze the data and identify trends.
Create a presentation summarizing the findings.
Present the information in a clear and engaging manner.

Career center

Learners who complete ‘True’ Crime? Developing Critical Thinking Skills Through Criminology will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Investigative Journalist

An investigative journalist uncovers and reports on stories that are often hidden or complex, requiring a keen eye for detail and a rigorous approach to fact-checking. This course may be particularly helpful for an investigative journalist as it focuses on developing critical thinking skills and analyzing media narratives, specifically within the realm of crime. This will allow the journalist to approach their work with a more discerning perspective. The course covers tools for evaluating evidence, identifying biases, and understanding how language can shape perceptions. These skills are essential for an investigative journalist who must sift through information to arrive at the truth. The course also examines how media influences our understanding of crime, offering a framework for understanding the complexities of crime reporting. Further, understanding how the media can help and hinder our understanding of crime is directly applicable to the work of an investigative journalist. The exploration of online crime in the digital age will also be valuable knowledge for this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Investigative Journalist

Criminologist

A criminologist studies crime and criminal behavior, often drawing upon sociological, psychological, and legal perspectives. This course will be very useful for a criminologist, as it introduces the critical thinking skills necessary to analyze media depictions of crime. The course's exploration of how the media shapes our understanding of criminal behavior is particularly relevant. Understanding the role of narratives and critiques, as they apply to crime and media is crucial. A criminologist must be able to recognize and understand bias and narratives to accurately study crime. The course's approach, which encourages a questioning attitude, and provides tools for evaluating evidence and understanding how language can shape our understanding of crime, can help a criminologist develop a more nuanced and informed perspective. Analyzing media narratives and critically assessing evidence are important skills for a criminologist. This course offers a strong foundation in those skills.

See salaries and explore the career path for Criminologist

Media Analyst

A media analyst examines media content to understand its impact on society. This course is particularly relevant for a media analyst, as it provides a critical thinking toolkit applicable to analyzing media portrayals of crime, specifically. The course's exploration of how the media influences our understanding of crime, including topics like sex work, drug use, and wildlife trafficking gives a media analyst specific case studies to work with. Also, understanding how the media can shape perceptions and fears about crime control helps a media analyst understand the real world impact of media. The media analyst must have an understanding of how bias can affect content creation, and this course touches on tools to identify biases. Furthermore, the course's critical examination of the digital age and online crime gives the media analyst insight into modern media trends. The exploration of media's role in shaping our understanding of crime is also central to the work of a media analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Media Analyst

Policy Analyst

A policy analyst researches and evaluates existing policies, and recommends changes to improve them. This course may be useful to a policy analyst working in areas related to crime as it develops key critical thinking skills. The course focuses on understanding media representation of crime, which is often the basis of public perception, influencing policy. The course may help a policy analyst because it offers tools for analyzing narratives, identifying bias, and understanding how the media impacts our understanding of societal issues. The examination of online crime and its complexities helps inform policy related to the digital age. The course helps a policy analyst understand how media can help and hinder perceptions of crime. This course may be particularly valuable to policy analysts who wish to examine and critically evaluate policies related to crime.

See salaries and explore the career path for Policy Analyst

Public Relations Specialist

A public relations specialist manages the public image of their clients or organization. This course may be useful for a public relations specialist, particularly those working with clients involved in law, law enforcement, or those affected by crime. This course provides critical thinking tools that can help them understand how media narratives are developed, and how public perceptions are formed. The course's focus on how the media can help and hinder our perceptions of crimes helps a public relations specialist understand how a story may be received. The course, which encourages a critical attitude, can help a public relations specialist devise strategies to manage a narrative. The course's exploration of online crime, also assists a public relations specialist in understanding current digital trends. The course may help a public relations specialist understand how to navigate complex and sensitive issues.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Relations Specialist

Social Media Manager

A social media manager is responsible for crafting and curating content for an organization's social media presence. This course may be useful for a social media manager, as it emphasizes the critical analysis of media, including online and social media. Given that much media is consumed online, the course's focus on topics like sex work, drug use, and wildlife trafficking in media is useful context. The course's exploration of online sleuths and scam baiters are particularly relevant for this role, given that these are common subjects on social media. This course's 'critical thinking toolkit' will help a social media manager evaluate and understand the implications of online content. A social media manager must be able to recognize and critically assess bias and narratives to correctly use media platforms. The course's examination of how media shapes perceptions of crime, and the role of social media in the legal system, may help a social media manager understand the larger ramifications of content they publish online.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Media Manager

Research Associate

A research associate assists in conducting research, often in an academic or scientific setting. This course may help a research associate by honing their critical thinking skills. The course offers tools for analyzing narratives, understanding biases, and evaluating evidence, skills crucial to performing accurate research. Its focus on the analysis of media and crime helps a research associate understand how information is created, shared and interpreted. The course’s approach provides context for research, given that researchers often draw upon or analyze media. The course may be particularly relevant for research associates in fields such as criminology, sociology, and media studies. The course's exploration of online crime in the digital age also provides context for modern research topics. Those interested in research in these fields may find this course particularly helpful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Research Associate

Paralegal

A paralegal assists lawyers with legal research, document preparation, and case management. This course could be very helpful for a paralegal, as it will help hone their critical thinking skills. The course's exploration into media's role in shaping our understanding of crime may help a paralegal understand the impact of media coverage on legal proceedings. A paralegal is often required to seek out and determine the validity of information, and the course provides tools for critically evaluating evidence and information on a subject. Further, the paralegal may find that the discussions of bias and narratives are helpful. The course examines media's influence on law and order, including the role of online sleuths, which may be a relevant aspect of case material. This course may help a paralegal who wishes to develop a deeper understanding of the criminal justice system.

See salaries and explore the career path for Paralegal

Lobbyist

A lobbyist advocates for specific causes or policy changes by interacting with government officials. This course may help a lobbyist, by developing their critical thinking skills and media literacy. Understanding how media shapes public perception of crime helps a lobbyist understand the larger environment they work in. The course's exploration of narratives and critiques, especially as they relate to crime, gives a lobbyist valuable context when engaging with policy makers and the public. A lobbyist must be able to evaluate information, identify biases, and understand the underlying narratives at play, all of which are addressed in this course. The course's discussion of the digital age and its impact on crime is relevant to modern issues, and could help a lobbyist when advocating for policy changes. This course may help a lobbyist who wishes to work on issues related to crime and law.

See salaries and explore the career path for Lobbyist

Content Moderator

A content moderator reviews and filters online content to ensure it adheres to guidelines and policies. This course may be useful for a content moderator tasked with reviewing content related to crime. The course provides a framework for analyzing media, online crime, and related topics, such as sex work and drug use. The critical thinking tools discussed in the course will help a content moderator evaluate the subtleties of content. The discussion of bias, narratives, and the influence of media is important for a content moderator, who must understand how these elements can shape perceptions. This course's exploration of how the digital age shapes our understanding of crime is essential for a content moderator working on a modern platform. The course's discussion of online sleuths and scam baiters gives a content moderator contextual knowledge that is relevant for this position.

See salaries and explore the career path for Content Moderator

Social Worker

A social worker provides support and advocacy to individuals and communities facing challenges. This course may be helpful for a social worker, as it develops critical thinking skills that are applicable in many facets of their work. The course's exploration of media's role in shaping our understanding of crime, including discussion of topics like sex work, drug use, and human trafficking, provides important context for a social worker. Social workers must be able to critically assess information and narratives, allowing them to better serve their clients. A social worker often deals with marginalized groups, and the discussions of bias in the course can help refine a social worker's perspective. The course’s examination of social justice and the influence of media is particularly relevant. The course may provide a useful toolkit for a social worker, who must understand how social issues are perceived and understood within the larger public.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Worker

Teacher

A teacher educates students in a variety of subjects and disciplines. This course may be helpful for a teacher, particularly those who are required to teach critical thinking skills or media literacy. The course's core focus on critical thinking may help a teacher learn to incorporate critical analysis into their teaching. The course's approach to identifying bias, evaluating evidence, and understanding the power of narratives is transferrable to the classroom. Teachers must be able to analyze a wide variety of information and media, and this course provides tools for this. The course’s dissection of crime and media allows them to engage with real-world examples, providing context for abstract lessons. A teacher who wishes to teach critical thinking skills may find this course to be useful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Teacher

Human Resources Specialist

A human resources specialist is responsible for managing employee relations, policies, and procedures within an organization. This course may be useful for a human resources specialist as it develops critical thinking skills, which can improve their handling of complex issues. The course’s approach to understanding narratives and biases may help a human resources specialist navigate workplace conflicts. The course's exploration of media's influence on perceptions may be useful context when dealing with sensitive workplace matters. The course may help a human resources specialist understand how perceptions and biases can affect the dynamics of an organization. The use of media in the modern workplace requires a critical lens, and this course can help develop a more discerning perspective.

See salaries and explore the career path for Human Resources Specialist

Marketing Specialist

A marketing specialist develops and implements strategies to promote products or services. This course may be useful for a marketing specialist by providing tools to analyze and understand public perception of a product or service. The course’s focus on media analysis, and the impact of narratives may be useful in creating more effective marketing campaigns. Understanding how bias can influence consumer perception can help a marketing specialist develop strategies that resonate with their target audience. The course’s examination of how the media influences our understanding of issues gives them a framework for communicating with the public. This course may provide important insight into how narratives shape public opinion and perception.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Specialist

Customer Service Representative

A customer service representative interacts with customers, providing assistance and resolving issues. This course may be useful for a customer service representative, as it focuses on developing critical thinking skills. The ability to analyze narratives and identify biases, may help a customer service representative understand the underlying cause of customer issues. The course's focus on media perception helps them understand the context of their interactions. The course may help an analyst develop a more rigorous approach to resolving conflicts. This may lead to better outcomes. While a customer service representative may not directly use the other topics discussed, this course may be helpful for the development of their critical thinking abilities.

See salaries and explore the career path for Customer Service Representative

‘True’ Crime? Developing Critical Thinking Skills Through Criminology

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

Traffic lights

Save this course

Reviews summary

Critical thinking through true crime

Activities

Career center

Reading list

Share

Similar courses