$120
for 8 classesUnsolved Crimes Series 1
Completed by 169 learners
Ages 13-18
Live Group Course
Live video meetings
1x per week, 8 weeks
3-14 learners per class
60 min
What's included
8 live meetings
8 in-class hoursClass Experience
US Grade 8 - 11
Beginner Level
The iconic unsolved crimes offer puzzles that have lured thousands of people into devoting countless hours searching for solutions. This class provides an age appropriate, science-based examination of these intriguing cases. We will focus on the evidence that was found and the ways that it might be analyzed today. We will critically analyze the main hypotheses in each case to develop conclusions about the proper direction of investigation. The first case is Jack the Ripper. We won't focus on the details of the killings, but rather on the physical evidence, such as real and fake letters, the Ghoulston Street Graffito, the geography of the crimes, and the suspects who have captured our attention over the years. We will work through a new hypothesis that leads to a shocking conclusion about the identity of Jack the Ripper which connects London's Autumn of Terror to the city of my childhood, Chicago. The second case is the Lizzie Borden case, which is the subject of a questionable nursery rhyme. Again, we won't focus on the details of the crimes, but rather on the general sense of the scene. Here, we will examine the prosecution's theory that suggested that Lizzie Borden committed the crimes alone. As a teaser, I will say that I don't think she did it, and we will discuss the ways that investigators can reconstruct a crime scene which will lead us to doubt the physical possibility of her completing these crimes in the time frame provided. If not her, then who? While there are many potential suspects, one or two may stand out above the others. The third case comes straight from a Hollywood movie--the Lindbergh Baby Kidnapping, dubbed the "Crime of the Century." The son of the most famous man in the world, and a national hero, was kidnapped in early March 1932. The case resulted in a conviction and execution, but it has returned to the list of unsolved crimes because of a plank from a table that was discovered in police archives in 2003. The implications of what was taped to the bottom of the plank, along with an oddly shaped piece of metal on the wood casts serious doubt on the guilt of the accused. But, if not him, then who? The questions that must be asked take this case in directions that any mystery writer would be proud to devise. We will look at some truly unique evidence and examine the history of the period and of some of the people involved. I have taught Unsolved Crimes for over 5 years at the college and teen levels, and it is one of my favorite classes. I have found new clues in some of these cases, and I have had students, including homeschooled teens, find more clues that had previously been unknown.
Syllabus
8 Lessons
over 8 WeeksLesson 1:
Jack the Ripper 1
This lesson covers the crimes of Jack the Ripper, details about the victims, and issues related to profiling the offender.
60 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Jack the Ripper 2
This lesson focuses on several of the reasonable suspects, as well as a few of the more "long-shot" candidates.
60 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
Jack the Ripper 3
This lesson covers the Royal Conspiracy and the relatively new theory that American serial killer H.H. Holmes could have been Jack the Ripper.
60 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
Lizzie Borden 1
This lesson covers the "cast of characters" in the case, the layout of the house (crime scene), and the known vs. assumed events of the morning of the crimes.
60 mins online live lesson
Other Details
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Meet the teacher
Teacher expertise and credentials
Juris Doctor from University of Michigan
I have been teaching for over 25 years, and focusing on forensic science classes and programs for middle school through college-age students since 2005. For the past ten years, I have also been teaching a variety of online courses, including space science, climate change, writing, introduction to law, constitutional law, history, unsolved crimes, U.S. elections, U.S. government, and geography. I have a J.D. (Law) from the University of Michigan, as well as B.A. and M.A. degrees in history, and extensive graduate education in geography and forensic science. I spent 11 years as an attorney focusing on evidence, immigration for world leaders in medicine and science, and asylum for refugees. I have also taught at the college level since 2000, in subjects including atmospheric science, physical geography, human geography, U.S. history, Humanities, criminal justice, forensic science, law and ideology, and unsolved crimes. My most recent college teaching was at SUNY Empire State College (now University) in a variety of forensic science courses and Unsolved Crimes. I have written a course manual for forensic science which is used by high school and college students, and has been picked up by a college in Europe.
My teaching style can best be described as a Socratic quest for thought. By this, I mean that the most important thing to me is to get my students thinking. It is much more important for a student to develop their critical and analytical thinking skills than to recite a list of facts. The greatest comment I ever got on a student evaluation was a college student who wrote that I was the first teacher who really wanted him to think. I recognize the differences in abilities, interests, and backgrounds in my students, and tailor my questions and challenges to maximize each student's experience.
I'd like to share a few more details about me to explain more of who I am. I am a writer, and I have 7 volumes of a kids' fantasy series called the Guardians of Elestra. Homeschooled kids who are interested get the first two chapters of a new book before it is published to give me feedback, and they learn about the revising and editing processes. I'm also a homeschooling parent (since 2002) and I lead groups focused on homeschooling with chronic illness. Our family has had to deal with long-term health issues, and I want to help others who are just getting their feet wet in this area as well. Finally, I have training in voice acting, which is another area of teaching in which my course offerings are expanding.
Reviews
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