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Femme Fatale: History's Deadliest Women

Unmask the captivating stories of history's deadly women as we delve into their motivations, actions, and the societal factors that shaped their controversial legacies, fostering critical thinking and empathy along the way.
Miss Kennah, B.A. in Anthropology and Thanatology
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:
(5)
Class

What's included

1 live meeting
50 mins in-class hours per week

Class Experience

US Grade 9 - 12
*Coupon code for $10 off your first class until October 29, 2024: KENNAH2M1010*

In this captivating and thought-provoking class, we invite you to journey through the annals of history and explore the lives of some of the most intriguing and deadly women to have graced its pages. From the heights of power to the depths of infamy, these women's stories have captured the imaginations of generations, leaving an indelible mark on the historical landscape.

Through engaging lectures, lively discussions, and immersive historical investigations, we will shine a light on the lives and actions of these complex women. Our focus will extend beyond mere sensationalism, seeking instead to understand the underlying motivations, social contexts, and complexities that shaped their decisions.

*Week 1: Giulia Tofana (c. 1620 - 1659)
*Week 2: Mary Tudor (Bloody Mary) (1516 - 1558)
*Week 3: Empress Wu Zetian (625 - 705)
*Week 4: Delphine LaLaurie (1787 - 1842) 
*Week 5: Mary Ann Cotton (1832 - 1873) 
*Week 6: Belle Gunness (1859 - 1908)
*Week 7: Raya and Sakina (Born c. 1902 and 1904, executed in 1923)
*Week 8: Leonarda Cianciulli (1894 - 1970)
*Week 9: Catherine de' Medici (1519 - 1589)
*Week 10: Elizabeth Bathory (1560 - 1614)
*Week 11: Griselda Blanco (1943 - 2012)
*Week 12: Ilse Koch (1906 - 1967)
*Week 13: Darya Nikolayevna Saltykova (1730 - 1801)
*Week 14: Jane Toppan (1857 - 1938)
*Week 15: Aileen Wuornos (1956 - 2002)
*Week 16: Nannie Doss (1905 - 1965)
*Week 17: Enriqueta Martí (1868 - 1913)
*Week 18: Amelia Dyer (1837 - 1896)
*Week 19: Myra Hindley (1942 - 2002)
*Week 20: Lavinia Fisher (1793 - 1820)
*Week 21: Juana Barraza (born 1957)
*Week 22: Dagmar Overbye (1887 - 1929)
*Week 23: Kristen Gilbert (born 1967)
*Week 24: Amelia Sach and Annie Walters (Executed in 1903)
*Week 25: Lizzie Borden (1860-1927)
*Week 26: Gypsy Rose Blanchard (1991-)
*Week 27: Mary Read and Anne Bonny (1695-1721, 1697–c. 1782)
*Week 28: Lizzie the Dove and Gentle Maggie of New York (1855–c. 1881, 1858–c. 1881)
*Week 29: Christine and Lea Papin of France (1905-1937, 1911-1937)
*Week 30: Grace Marks of Canada (1828-c. 1873)
*Week 31: Gallus Mag, Sadie the Goat, and Hellcat Maggie of New York (1852–1924)
*Week 32: Artemisia of Caria: (c. 520–c. 460 BCE)
*Week 33: Irma Grese (1923-1945)
*Week 34: Queen Victoria (1819-1901)
*Week 35: Exploring the Femme Fatale Trope in Film Noir
*Week 36: Agnes Sorel (1427 - 1449)
*Week 37: Kristina of Sweden (1626 - 1689)
*Week 38: Arsinoe IV (68-41 BCE)
*Week 39: Madame du Barry (1743 - 1793)
*Week 40: Mata Hari (1876 - 1917)
*Week 41: Evita Perón (1919 - 1952)
*Week 42: Lyudmila Pavlichenko (1916 - 1974)
*Week 43: Jeanne de Belleville (c. 1348 - after 1387)
*Week 44: Thyra of Denmark (10th century)
*Week 45: Tomyris of Massagetae (6th century BCE)
*Week 46: Zheng Yi Sao (1775-1844)
*Week 47: Nakano Takeko (1822 - 1866)
*Week 48: Anna Chapman (1901 - 1970)
*Week 49: Belle Boyd (1844 - 1920)
*Week 50: Frances Clayton (1678 - 1739)
*Week 51: Agnes Waterhouse (1590 - 1666)
*Week 52: Huang Guifei (715 - 756)
*Week 53: Margaret Thatcher (1925-2013)
*Week 54: Queen Ranavalona (1778-1861)
*Week 55: Irene of Athens
*Week 56: Maria Eleonora
*Week 57: Maria I of Portugal
*Week 58: Juana la Loca
*Week 59: Isabella I of Castille
*Week 60: Olga of Kyiv
*Week 61: Fredegund
*Week 62: Elizabeth Brownrigg
*Week 63: Carolyn Bryant Donham

**Students will have the opportunity to request topics for future classes. Material will repeat roughly every 63 weeks.**

As we navigate the historical narratives of notorious female figures, we will discuss the sociopolitical climate of their times, the religious and cultural influences, and the roles of power and gender in shaping their destinies. Through this exploration, we hope to challenge stereotypes, provoke critical thinking, and understand the complex webs of motivations behind their actions.

Join us as we uncover the intriguing stories of deadly women through the ages, journeying through time to unravel the complexities of their lives, and enriching our understanding of the past and its lasting echoes on the present.
Learning Goals
1. Historical Understanding: Develop a comprehensive understanding of the historical context in which these deadly women lived, including the social, political, and cultural factors that influenced their actions. Analyze the impact of their choices on society and the enduring legacies they left behind.

2. Critical Thinking and Analysis: Foster critical thinking skills by evaluating different perspectives and interpretations of these deadly women. Encourage students to critically examine the motivations, societal constraints, and broader implications of their actions, allowing for nuanced discussions and analysis.
learning goal

Other Details

Parental Guidance
Please be advised that the class contains content that may be disturbing to some students. This class will explore the intriguing lives of historical women associated with deadly actions, including instances of torture, murder, and other violent themes. We will approach this subject with sensitivity, providing historical context and fostering thoughtful discussions that promote critical thinking and empathy. If your child has specific concerns or feels uncomfortable during the class, they are encouraged to reach out to the instructors for support. Thank you for your understanding.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Sources
1. Giulia Tofana: - "The Poisoner's Handbook: Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York" by Deborah Blum. - "To feed the world with poisoned broth": Murder and female power in the case of Giulia Tofana" by Paola Lanaro. (Renaissance Quarterly, Vol. 52, No. 1, Spring 1999, pp. 66-103) 2. Mary Tudor (Bloody Mary): - "Mary Tudor: England's First Queen" by Anna Whitelock. - "Bloody Mary: The Life of Mary Tudor" by Carolly Erickson. 3. Empress Wu Zetian: - "Empress Wu the Great: Tang Dynasty China" by Lily Xiao Hong Lee. - "Empress Wu Zetian in Fiction and in History" by Wu Jing. 4. Delphine LaLaurie: - "Mad Madame Lalaurie: New Orleans' Most Famous Murderess Revealed" by Victoria Cosner Love and Lorelei Shannon. - "The Lalaurie Horror" by Carolyn Morrow Long. 5. Mary Ann Cotton: - "Mary Ann Cotton: Britain's First Female Serial Killer" by David Wilson. - "Mary Ann Cotton: Dark Angel" by Martin Connolly. 6. Belle Gunness: - "Hell's Princess: The Mystery of Belle Gunness, Butcher of Men" by Harold Schechter. - "The Boneyard: The Mystery of Belle Gunness, Butcher of Men" by Carolyn D. Wall. 7. Raya and Sakina: - "The World's Greatest Serial Killers: Raya and Sakina" by R.J. Parker. - "Egypt's Sister A Serial Killer, a Virgin and Egypt's Great Pharaohs?" by Angela Joseph. 8. Leonarda Cianciulli: - "Serial Killer Leonarda Cianciulli: The Soap Maker of Correggio" by Jack Rosewood. - "The Monster of Correggio: Leonarda Cianciulli: A Short Biography" by J.D. Rockefeller. 9. Catherine de' Medici: - "Catherine de' Medici: Renaissance Queen of France" by Leonie Frieda. - "Catherine de Medici: The Power behind the French Throne" by Leonie Frieda. 10. Elizabeth Bathory: - "The Blood Countess: A Novel" by Andrei Codrescu. - "Infamous Lady: The True Story of Countess Erzsebet Bathory" by Kimberly L. Craft. 11. Griselda Blanco: - "The Black Widow: The Catherine Nevin Story" by Niamh O'Connor. - "Killing Pablo: The Hunt for the World's Greatest Outlaw" by Mark Bowden. 12. Ilse Koch: - "The Buchenwald Report" by David A. Hackett. - "Ilse Koch: The Complete Story of The Most Evil Woman in The Third Reich" by R.J. Parker.
5.0
5reviews
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
Miss Kennah brings a wealth of expertise and academic qualifications to the field of anthropology education. With a Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology and Thanatology from the University of Rhode Island, and ongoing studies pursuing a master's degree in Anthropology at Harvard University, she possesses a strong foundation in the field. Additionally, Miss Kennah has gained valuable international experience during her time at Stellenbosch University in South Africa, where she studied and immersed herself in the vibrant local culture. This diverse educational background allows her to bring a rich global perspective to the classroom, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of cultural diversity among students. With her passion for anthropology and dedication to providing engaging and comprehensive instruction, Miss Kennah is committed to creating a stimulating learning environment that nurtures curiosity and critical thinking skills in every student.

Reviews

Live Group Class
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$18

weekly
1x per week
50 min

Completed by 11 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 14-18
1-18 learners per class

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