Law, Criminology, and Justice 121
Violence in Society: Serial Murder
Spring 2012
Phone: [phone] (Office)
Professor Bill P. McCarty
Office: 4060 A (BSB)
Office Hours: MW 11:00-12:00, and by appointment
Email: [e-mail]
Class Times: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 10:00-10:50 (2 LCB B001)
Teaching Assistant: Evanka Swampillai ([e-mail])
Office Hours: MW 11:00-2:00, BSB 108B
Phone: [phone] (Office)
Course Description: Serial killers are both loathsome and fascinating. Their crimes are
despicable, yet they capture the attention of the American public unlike any other type of
criminal. Generally, this class will tap into three themes. First, we will explore the underlying
theoretical perspectives about why individuals become serial killers. Second, we will examine
the crimes themselves through discussion of some of the most notorious serial killers. Finally,
we will investigate how the criminal justice system reacts to such criminals. How are these
criminals tried in a court of law? How are serial killers punished? This class will help provide
answers to those questions. Furthermore, this class will focus on other incidents of multicide,
including mass murders and spree murders.
It is my objective to use the content of this course to accomplish the following goals:
1) Clarify the importance of both internal and external factors in the evolution of serial killers
2) Understand the role of the media in creating fear and interest in serial killing
3) Familiarize the students with how the criminal justice system responds to serial killers
4) Provide reading materials that will help students understand the existing academic and factual
knowledge about serial killers and other types of violent criminals
5) Create an environment in which students can talk comfortably about these issues
Required Textbook:
None
Reading assignments will be placed on electronic reserve throughout the semester.
These readings can be accessed through a link on the class Blackboard site.
The Link: http://uic.docutek.com/eres/coursepass.aspx?cid=2548
The Password: criminal
Schedule of Readings and Assignments
I reserve the right to clarify and change dates and assignments listed on the schedule.
January 9 (M)- Introduction to class
January 11 (W)- Topic #1- Overview (Definitions, Theoretical Templates)
January 13 (F)- NO CLASS
January 16 (M)- NO CLASS- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
January 18 (W)- Topic #1 (cont.)
January 20 (F)- Topic #1 (cont.)/Topic #2- Chicagos Own- HH Holmes
January 23 (M)- Topic #2 (cont.)
January 25 (W)- Topic #2 (cont.)
January 27 (F)- Topic #3- Chicagos Own- John Gacy
January 30 (M)- Topic #3 (cont.)
February 1 (W)- Topic #3 (cont.)
February 3 (F)- Topic #4- Ted Bundy
February 6 (M)- Topic #4 (cont.)
February 8 (W)- Topic #4 (cont.)
February 10 (F)- Review
February 13 (M)- EXAM #1
February 15 (W)- Topic #5- Serial Killers and Popular Culture
February 17 (F)- Topic #5 (cont.)
February 20 (M)- Topic #6- Minorities and Serial Homicide
February 22 (W)- Topic #6 (cont.)
February 24 (F)- Topic #6 (cont.)
February 27 (M)- Topic #7- Son of Sam
February 29 (W)- Topic #7 (cont.)
March 2 (F)- Topic #7 (cont.)
March 5 (M)- Topic #8- Zodiac
March 7 (W)- Topic #8 (cont.)
March 9 (F)- Topic #8 (cont.)
March 12 (M)- Topic #8 (cont.)
March 14 (W)- Review
March 16 (F)- EXAM #2
March 19 (M)- NO CLASS- Spring Break
March 21 (W)- NO CLASS- Spring Break
March 23 (F)- NO CLASS- Spring Break
March 26 (M)- Topic #9- Women and Serial Homicide
March 28 (W)- Topic #9 (cont.)
March 29 (F)- Topic #9 (cont.)
April 2 (M)- Topic #10- Richard Speck
April 4 (W)- Topic #10 (cont.)
April 6 (F)- Topic #10 (cont.)
April 9 (M)- Topic #11- Suicides
April Mass 11 (W)- Topic #11 (cont.)
April 13 (F)- Topic #11 (cont.)
April 16 (M)- Topic #12 Jack the Ripper
April 18 (W)- Topic #12 (cont.)
April 20 (F)- Topic #13- Mass Murder
April 23 (M)- Topic #13 (cont.)
April 25 (W)- Topic #13 (cont.)
April 27 (F)- Review
April 30-May 4- EXAM #3- Finals Week
Grading
Grading Scale:
90-100 = A
80-89= B
70-79= C
60-69= D
Below 60= F
Four items will comprise your final grade for this class*:
1. Examination #1 (30% of final grade)
2. Examination #2 (30% of final grade)
3. Examination #3 (30% of final grade)
4. Attendance/Participation (10% of final grade)
*Your final course grade will be rounded to the nearest whole percentage. For example, an 89.5
would round up to 90 while an 89.4 would round down to 89.
Other Policies
Academic Honesty: All students at the University of Illinois-Chicago are expected to conduct
their academic affairs in an honest and responsible manner. Any student found guilty of
dishonesty in academic work shall be subject to disciplinary actions. Acts of academic
dishonesty include, but are not limited to:
plagiarism, i.e., the intentional appropriation of the work, be it ideas or phrasing of
words, of another without crediting the source;
cheating, i.e., unauthorized collaboration or use of external information during
examinations;
assisting fellow students in committing an act of cheating;
falsely obtaining, distributing, using or receiving test materials or academic research
materials;
submitting examinations, themes, reports, drawings, laboratory notes, research papers or
other work as one's own when such work has been prepared by another person or copied
from another person (by placing his/her own name on a paper, the student is certifying
that it is his/her own work); or
improperly altering and/or inducing another to improperly alter any academic record.
In cases of alleged academic dishonesty, the instructor shall attempt to discuss the matter with
the student and explain the sanction(s) which he/she plans to impose. In the event that the student
challenges the allegation of academic dishonesty, or is not satisfied with the sanctions(s)
imposed by the instructor, the student may file an appeal according to the approved appeal
policies of the University of Illinois.
Attendance/Participation: On five random dates throughout the semester, I will take
attendance. Each absence will correspond to a 10% deduction in your maximum
attendance/participation grade (not final grade). If you miss all five of those random classes,
for example, the maximum attendance/participation grade you could earn would be 50%.
Class Cancellations: In the event that the University is closed for weather concerns,
assignments will be shifted to the next scheduled class. If I have to cancel class for personal
reasons, I will send out an email to the entire class as soon as possible.
Talking in Class: Please refrain from chatting, making phone calls, or sending text messages
during the lecture. This behavior is extremely distracting, especially with so many students in
the class. Following this policy will create the most optimal class environment. Students who
violate this policy will be asked to leave the lecture.
Students with Disabilities: Accommodations are provided for students who are registered with
Disability Resource Center and make their requests sufficiently in advance. If you would like
more information, contact the Disability Resource Center at 312-413-2183 (312-413-0123
(TTY)). Their office is located at 1200 W. Harrison St. Room 1190 SSB (MC 321). Their
website is: http://www.uic.edu/depts/oaa/disability_resources/index.html