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Course unit, curriculum year 2024–2025
KIE.KK.354

Murder and Representation, 5 cr

Tampere University
Teaching periods
Course code
KIE.KK.354
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
This course examines the question of murder and representation, with a special focus on gender issues. We will concentrate on one type of murder, serial murder, as a cultural narrative from the end of the 19th century to the present. During the course we will analyse the cultural imagery and social contexts of serial killing in Britain and the United States. In particular, we will try to answer this question: how are gender and “normalcy” constructed through murder and crime narratives? We will start with the case of Jack the Ripper - the first “modern” serial killer - and his victims, and move on to representations of male and female psychopaths. We will explore such different genres as films and documentary programmes as well as texts written by FBI agents, serial killers and psychiatrists. We will also read three novels: Robert Bloch’s Psycho, Bret Easton Ellis’ American Psycho, and Helen Zahavi’s Dirty Weekend.
Learning outcomes
Equivalences
Studies that include this course
Completion option 1

Participation in teaching

No scheduled teaching