True crime aficionados and those interested in criminal justice unite! 

In this class, we will look at infamous criminals from a critical thinking point of view. We will learn what happened and discuss associated events that will allow us to explore the psyche of these infamous murderers. Some of the overarching questions throughout both week may include, but will not be limited to: How do female serial killers differ from males in their methods? Why? Why do serial killers murder? 

Class will begin with a discussion on what it means to be respectful- to each other and to the victims. Please note that dark and difficult topics are often approached from a humorous standpoint. The class will be kept lighthearted and humor is more than acceptable, though it must remain respectable. I will also present learning and discussion goals at the beginning of class, but also outlined below. 

I will present a slideshow with background information, events, facts, and theories when applicable. We will pause every few slides to discuss before moving on. Learners can contribute analysis and thoughts, and ask questions at anytime. Videos and/or audio recordings will be played when available, giving learners the opportunity to observe perpetrators as they are (or wish to appear) and providing further psychological insight. Shared documents- either screen shared or posted in the classroom- may consist of police and autopsy reports, prosecutorial and defense documents, and anything else that may be relative to the case. 


Day 1: H. H. Holmes
Holmes designed a hotel with a lot of secret passageways and hidden rooms so he could murder those who stayed there and collect money against them. He murdered his guests prior to and during the World's Fair in Chicago. 
Discussion:
-How was Holmes able to get away with so many murders without becoming a suspect? 
-Were you surprised by how easy it was for him to commit crimes without being caught?
-What ultimately led to Holmes' capture and the discovery of his crime? Was this inevitable?
-How did Holmes' hotel contrast with the buildings of the World's Fair? Can architecture reflect goodness or evil, or are buildings neutral until used?
-What do you think of Holmes' claim that he was the devil? Can people be inherently evil? How would you explain his strange allure and cold-hearted behavior?


Day 2: "Black Widow" Belle Gunness
Belle Gunness' many children died mysteriously, as did a couple of husbands, and others around her. Her methos was typically poisoning, though this did change as times. She disappeared after possibly faking her death, and was never seen again. 
-Explain what happened to the farm?
-What do authorities believe happened to Belle? 
-What do you think happened to her?
-How do most of her murders differ from those of male serial killers? Why do you think that is?


Day 3: Ted Bundy
Bundy targeted women that looked like his ex-girlfriend from college, who broke up with him. He graduated and convinced her to date him again, proposed to her, then ghosted her after she said yes. He was entitled and arrogant. He was also living a double life with his girlfriend and her child. He was not caught for a long time, despite people telling law enforcement they believed the killings in the Pacific North West were him, including his girlfriend. He escaped prison a couple times, going on a killing spree with his last escape. 
-What made Bundy seem like he was safe?
-Why did Bundy's victims have so much in common, especially with their appearance? Was it just coincidental?
-During Ted Bundy's incarceration he communicated with other serial killers including David Berkowitz, the Son of Sam killer. What do you think was written in the letters to each other?
-We are halfway! What's the difference between a serial killer and a murderer?

Day 4: "The Killer Clown" John Wayne Gacy
Gacy targeted young men by promising them jobs, then killing them. He buried a lot of them under the crawlspace in his house. He, too, could've been caught a lot earlier, but no one believed such a prominent and well-like member of society could commit the monstrosities he was. 
-What was it that actually (read finally) put Gacy on the radar of law enforcement?
-Why was the search in Gacy's crawlspace organized like an archaeological dig- gridded off and very carefully "excavated." 
-What role did forensic anthropology play in this case?
-What were Gacy's motives/intentions?

Day 5: "The Nightstalker" Richard Ramirez
Ramirez watched and killed mostly older victims after breaking into their homes. He was eventually caught thanks to a brave teenage boy who suspected Ramirez was trying to break into his home. He ran outside and got a description of the vehicle he was driving, which then led to the recovery of print and Ramirez's identification as the Nightstalker.  After his arrest, the death of a young child was link to him. 
-What forensic evidence was captured and processed successfully, leading to the identification of the killer? What did they miss?
-What are some of the factors that may have predisposed Ramirez to become a serial killer?
-Look over the FBI's data over psychopathy and serial murder. Do you think all serial killers are psychopaths? Explain the relationship between the two. 


Day 6: Jeffrey Dahmer
Dahmer was a gay man that targeted other gay men. He killed and cannibalized some of his victims. Homophobia, and the social climate at the time, played a part in his lack of arrest. Law enforcement avoided him and his apartment. During one encounter, they entered his apartment, but were quick to leave and did not thoroughly search it- they missed the body of a deceased victim on his bedroom floor and reunited him with one of his victims, who would go on to be murdered by him! Unlike the other serial killers discussed in the class, Dahmer was vocal about having compulsions to murder, not understanding them, and showing remorse. His interviews and correspondence give us an intimate look at the inner workings of his mind. 
-Do you think genetics and alcoholism played a role in Dahmer's actions? How so?
-Why did it take LE so long to catch Dahmer? 
-What psychological aspects were present in Dahmer's crimes?
-Dahmer, the Netflix show, concludes by connecting/comparing Gacy to Dahmer. We'll do the same. In what ways are the two similar & different? Consider their murders, their reactions to being caught, interviews, and even public perception.