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Course unit, curriculum year 2024–2025
KIE.KK.359

Reading Gender, Class and Ethnicity in Detective Fiction, 5 cr

Tampere University
Teaching periods
Active in period 1 (1.8.2024–20.10.2024)
Active in period 2 (21.10.2024–31.12.2024)
Course code
KIE.KK.359
Language of instruction
English
Academic years
2024–2025, 2025–2026, 2026–2027
Level of study
Advanced studies
Grading scale
General scale, 0-5
Persons responsible
Responsible teacher:
Maarit Piipponen
Responsible organisation
Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences 100 %
Coordinating organisation
Language Studies 100 %
Common learning outcomes
International outlook and global responsibility
Interaction and communication skills
Learning skills and critical thinking
Sustainable development goals
Goal 5: Gender Equality
Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities

During this course we will trace the development of detective fiction from the end of the 19th century to the present. We will specifically examine how detective fiction and its subgenres represent and construct gender, class and ethnicity. For example, we will analyse how Sherlock Holmes, Arthur Conan Doyle’s iconic detective figure, protects the empire against foreign influence, and how African American writers (e.g. Pauline E. Hopkins, Barbara Neely, Walter Mosley) discuss race and crime in their fictions. Further, we will examine how the feminist movement has influenced the field of crime writing – how it introduced new themes into the genre, such as child abuse, sexism and racism.

Learning outcomes
Further information
Studies that include this course
Completion option 1

Participation in teaching

02.09.2024 02.12.2024
Active in period 1 (1.8.2024–20.10.2024)
Active in period 2 (21.10.2024–31.12.2024)