Modiwl HPS-2015:
Serial Killers

Ffeithiau’r Modiwl

Rhedir gan School of History, Law and Social Sciences

20.000 Credyd neu 10.000 Credyd ECTS

Semester 2

Trefnydd: Prof Lucy Huskinson

Amcanion cyffredinol

This module explores the curious figure of the serial killer. Students will examine real-life case studies and fictional depictions of serial killers, their victims, the criminal investigations surrounding them, and the reporting of their crimes in the media to begin to understand who or what the serial killer is why this figure continues to capture the popular imagination. Various philosophical and criminological ideas will be analysed and applied to specific profiles and cases of serial killers, including existential theories of Sartre and Nietzsche, as well as rational choice theory and anomie. Real life serial killers to be examined include, the Zodiac Killer, BTK, Dennis Nilsen, Harold Shipman, Rosemary West, Ian Brady and Ted Bundy; and fictional serial killers will include, Dexter and Hannibal Lecter. The module introduces students to the lives and backgrounds of those who become serial killers, as well as the broader socio-cultural context in which they kill.

Cynnwys cwrs

The module begins by investigating the nature of the serial killer and why this figure holds such allure, even admiration for some. Here we question the need for labelling serial killers and for distinguishing them as a specific type. Topics to be considered include: the difference between a serial killer and a psychopath, issues of taboo and moral transgression, notions of control, fear, and the objectification of people.

Various profiles of serial killers will be examined to draw out the mismatch between the public perception of the serial killer on the loose and the perpetrator when caught. Here some common psychopathic traits of the serial killer will be put under the spotlight, including the curious mismatch between outward appearances of banality and inner grandiose thoughts of self importance.

Students will go on to explore some of the philosophical justifications that serial killers have used to support their behaviour, including grandiose claims to moral relativism. These include their appeals to acting in accordance to a higher moral purpose or instructions given to them by a divine being. Most common are claims to the philosophical ideas of Friedrich Nietzsche--often regarded as the favourite philosopher of serial killers. Students will be introduced to the most popular of Nietzsche's ideas that are cited by serial killers and in accounts of them--namely his notions of the 'will to power' and the Ubermensch or 'Superman'. Students will learn how Nietzsche's ideas are widely misinterpreted by serial killers (as well as their criminal prosecutors), and will be encouraged to question what, if anything, the serial killer can teach us about ourselves and our moral codes and instincts.

The module also draws on sociological and criminological theories to understand the broader social, economic and political contexts in which serial killers operate and choose their victims. In so doing, the module examines how processes of globalisation, mass urbanisation and social exclusion provided fertile ground for the 'rise' of the serial killer.

Meini Prawf

trothwy

D- - D +. Submitted work is adequate and shows an acceptable level of competence as follows:

 Generally accurate but with omissions and errors.  Assertions are made without clear supporting evidence or reasoning.  Has structure but is lacking in clarity and therefore relies on the reader to make links and assumptions.  Draws on a relatively narrow range of material.

da

Very Good B- - B+. Submitted work is competent throughout and distinguished by superior style, approach and choice of supporting materials. It demonstrates:  Very good structure and logically developed arguments.  Draws on material that has been sourced and assessed as a result of independent study, or in a way unique to the student.  Assertions are backed by evidence and sound reasoning.  Accuracy and presentation in an appropriate academic style.

C- i C+

Good C- - C +. Submitted work is competent throughout and occasionally distinguished by superior style, approach and choice of supporting materials. It demonstrates:  Good structure and logically developed arguments.  At least in parts draws on material that has been sourced and assessed as a result of independent study, or in a way unique to the student.  Assertions are, in the main, backed by evidence and sound reasoning.  Accuracy and presentation in an appropriate academic style.

ardderchog

A - - A*. Submitted work is of an outstanding quality and excellent in one or more of the following ways: Has originality of exposition with the student’s own thinking being readily apparent. Provides clear evidence of extensive and relevant independent study. Arguments are laid down with clarity and provide the reader with successive stages of consideration to reach conclusions.

Canlyniad dysgu

  1. To be able to identify and articulate underlying issues in debates pertaining to the nature of serial killers, their victims, and their portrayal.

  2. To be able to construct an argument that is supported by relevant examples acquired from research and consultation of secondary and primary literature.

  3. To be able to use specialised terminology correctly.

  4. To be able to compare and contrast different interpretations of complex human behaviour.

Dulliau asesu

Math Enw Disgrifiad Pwysau
Critical glossary of terms 50.00
Case study of a serial killer to demonstrate application of theories 50.00

Strategaeth addysgu a dysgu

Oriau
Lecture

Interactive lectures, includes activities

 22
Private study

To keep up to date with readings for the module, to undertake research into the subject area, to plan for, prepare, and undertake the assessments.

 178

Sgiliau Trosglwyddadwy

  • Llythrennedd - Medrusrwydd mewn darllen ac ysgrifennu drwy amrywiaeth o gyfryngau
  • Defnyddio cyfrifiaduron - Medrusrwydd wrth ddefnyddio ystod o feddalwedd cyfrifiadurol
  • Hunanreolaeth - Gallu gweithio mewn ffordd effeithlon, prydlon a threfnus. Gallu edrych ar ganlyniadau tasgau a digwyddiadau, a barnu lefelau o ansawdd a phwysigrwydd
  • Archwilio - Gallu ymchwilio ac ystyried dewisiadau eraill
  • Adalw gwybodaeth - Gallu mynd at wahanol ac amrywiol ffynonellau gwybodaeth
  • Sgiliau Rhyngbersonol - Gallu gofyn cwestiynau, gwrando'n astud ar atebion a'u harchwilio
  • Dadansoddi Beirniadol & Datrys Problem - Gallu dadelfennu a dadansoddi problemau neu sefyllfaoedd cymhleth. Gallu canfod atebion i broblemau drwy ddadansoddiadau ac archwilio posibiliadau
  • Cyflwyniad - Gallu cyflwyno gwybodaeth ac esboniadau yn glir i gynulleidfa. Trwy gyfryngau ysgrifenedig neu ar lafar yn glir a hyderus.
  • Dadl - Gallu cyflwyno, trafod a chyfiawnhau barn neu lwybr gweithredu, naill ai gydag unigolyn neu mewn grwˆp ehangach
  • Hunanymwybyddiaeth & Ystyried - Bod yn ymwybodol o'ch cryfderau, gwendidau, nodau ac amcanion eich hun. Gallu adolygu ,cloriannu a myfyrio'n rheolaidd ar eich perfformiad eich hun ac eraill.

Sgiliau pwnc penodol

  • Articulacy in identifying underlying issues in a wide variety of debates.
  • Precision of thought and expression in the analysis and formulation of complex and controversial problems.
  • Sensitivity in interpretation of religious and philosophical texts drawn from a variety of ages and/or traditions.
  • Clarity and rigour in the critical assessment of arguments presented in such texts.
  • The ability to use and criticise specialised religious and philosophical terminology.
  • The ability to abstract and analyse arguments, and to identify flaws in them, such as false premises and invalid reasoning.
  • The ability to construct rationally persuasive arguments for or against specific religious and philosophical claims.
  • The ability to move between generalisation and appropriately detailed discussion, inventing or discovering examples to support or challenge a position, and distinguishing relevant and irrelevant considerations.
  • The ability to identify criminological problems, formulate questions and investigate them
  • representations of victimisation, crime and deviance, and of the main agents and institutions which respond to crime and deviance, as found in the mass media, new media, in official reports and in public opinion
  • how to use empirical evidence - both quantitative and qualitative - about the distribution of crime, deviance, offending and victimisation of all kinds to explore
  • alternative theoretical approaches within criminology, and contemporary debates about the content and scope of criminology
  • trends in crime, harm and victimisation
  • different theoretical and empirical approaches to the study, analysis and explanation of crime, deviance, harm and victimisation
  • theoretical and empirical relationships between power, crime and social change, and the impact of globalisation
  • relationships of crime, deviance and offending, and victimisation to social divisions such as: age, gender, sexuality, social class, race, ethnicity and religious faith
  • the development, role, organisation and governance of efforts to reduce and prevent crime, deviance and harm, and to ensure personal and public safety and security in different locations; the role of the state and non-governmental agencies

Adnoddau

Goblygiadau o ran adnoddau ar gyfer myfyrwyr

there will be no resource implications for students. All resources relevant to this module will be made readily available accessible via Blackboard.

Rhestrau Darllen Bangor (Talis)

http://readinglists.bangor.ac.uk/modules/hps-2015.html

Rhestr ddarllen

Sample reading list: 1. Brophy, M.(2010) 'Sympathy for the Devil: Can a Serial Killer ever be Good? ', in: John M.Doris (ed.) Serial Killers: Philosophy for Everyone, Wiley-Blackwell: Oxford and New York: 78-90. 2. Deal, W.E. (2010) 'The Serial Killer was (Cognitively) Framed', in: John M.Doris (ed.) Serial Killers: Philosophy for Everyone, Wiley-Blackwell: Oxford and New York: 155-165. 3. Douglas, J. and Olshaker, M. (2017) Mind: Inside the FBI Elite Serial Crime Unit, Arrow: Random House, London and New York. 4 Ferguson, Christopher J. , Diana E. White , Stacey Cherry , Marta Lorenz and Zhara Bhimain ( 2003) ‘Defining and Classifying Serial Murder in the Context of Perpetrator Motivation’, Journal of Criminal Justice 31: 287-92. 5. Gray, R.M.(2010) 'Psychopathy and Will to Power: Ted Bundy and Dennis Rader 'in: John M.Doris (ed.) Serial Killers: Philosophy for Everyone, Wiley-Blackwell: Oxford and New York: 191-205 6. Greene, R. (2012) Dexter and Philosophy, Open Court: Chicago. 7. Goffman, Erving ( 1959) The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life. Harmondsworth: Penguin. 8. Haggerty KD. Modern serial killers. Crime, Media, Culture. 2009;5(2):168-187. 9. Hare, R.D. (1999) Without Conscience: The Disturbing World of the Psychopaths Among Us, Guilford press: New York. 10. Holmes, R.M. and Holmes, S.T. (Eds) Contemporary Perspectives on Serial Murder. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE. 11. Schmid, D.(2010) 'A Philosophy of Serial Killing: Sade, Nietzsche, and Brady at the Gates of Janus' in: John M.Doris (ed.) Serial Killers: Philosophy for Everyone, Wiley-Blackwell: Oxford and New York: 18-29. 12. Sartre, J.P. (1943) Being and Nothingness: Selected passages 13. Nietzsche, F. Selected passages 14. Winters, A.M.(2010) 'man is the most dangerous animal of all: a philosophical gaze into the writings of the Zodiac killer)in: John M.Doris (ed.) *Serial Killers: Philosophy for Everyone, Wiley-Blackwell: Oxford and New York: 17-28

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