May 07, 2024  
2022-2023 Catalog 
    
2022-2023 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

CRIM 106 - Introduction to Serial Killers


PREREQUISITES: Demonstrated competency through appropriate assessment or earning a grade of “C” or better in ENGL 083 - Reading Strategies for College  and ENGL 093 - Introduction to College Writing ; or ENGL 095 - Integrated Reading and Writing , or ENGL 075 - Co-Requisite Integrated Reading & Writing  
PROGRAM: Criminal Justice
CREDIT HOURS MIN: 3
LECTURE HOURS MIN: 3
DATE OF LAST REVISION: Fall, 2014

This course examines serial murder through an analysis of the lives of serial killers in the United States. Biological, cultural, psychological and sociological frameworks are explored as an explanation of serial murder. This course will also look at the victims of the serial killers. This class will examine profiling and how the criminal justice system investigates, prosecutes and sentences serial killers.

MAJOR COURSE LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Upon successful completion of this course the student will be expected to:

  1. Identify the major types of serial killers and why they kill.
  2. Understand the connection between theory and application when studying a specific type of crime.
  3. Understand victims and how they may have become victims.
  4. Understand the role of the criminal justice system when pursuing a serial killer.
  5. Apply a specific criminological theory to explain a celebrated crime.
  6. Complete a case study of a specific serial killer.
  7. Understand the connection between culture, biology and psychology when studying serial killers.
  8. Identify problems when investigating serial killers.


COURSE CONTENT: Topical areas of study include -  

  • The phenomenon of serial murder
  • Cultural development of serial murder
  • Biology and psychology in serial murder
  • Social construction of serial murder
  • The male serial murderer
  • Team serial killers
  • Female serial murderer
  • Victims
  • Profiling, apprehension and disposition of serial killers
  • Case studies of serial killers
  • Motives for killing
  • Investigation of serial murder
  • The future of serial murder

 
Course Addendum - Syllabus (Click to expand)