Criminology and True Crime

Course Description

Most students who pursue studies in criminology and criminal justice already have an interest in true crime. From reading the detective fiction of Edgar Allan Poe or Arthur Conan Doyle; watching CSI or Criminal Minds on television; listening to the top-charting podcasts; or consuming the never-ending stream of Netflix documentaries; true crime media is a cornerstone of contemporary culture.

How does criminology relate to true crime?

Criminology is the social science of crime, governance, justice, law, and penality. The field has its roots in Europe during the Enlightenment and Victorian eras, in a time of great artistic, philosophical, political, and scientific change. Early criminologists sought to develop a scientific approach to understand why people commit crimes, how crimes could be prevented, and how to punish or rehabilitate offenders. Are criminals born, or are they made? Is crime a choice or a predetermined destiny? Can punishment be rehabilitative? How do we understand morality and justice?

During this period was also a series of revolutions—both literal government overhauls and overhauling of manufacturing and economic system—from the American Revolution (1765-1783) and French Revolution (1789-1799) to the Industrial Revolution (1760-1840). European imperialism continued and was aided by the justifications provided by theories of scientific racism and eugenics. More and more people moved not only from rural areas to urban centres in pursuit of paid labour opportunities, but more and more people flowed via increased global migration.

Whereas previously there had only been the aristocracy, the church, and peasants under the feudal system, now there was a working class, a growing middle class, and the ownership class. The Enlightenment brought more widespread adoption and debate about the liberties and rights of individuals. Who had legal rights? Where did those rights come from? Who counted as a person under the law? Who would enforce both laws and rights?

Technological innovations in the form of the printing press and innovations in paper helped facilitate the rapid expansion of literacy among the population. Reading was no longer reserved only for the upper classes, nor only for men. News stories and fiction became popular—particularly stories about crime.

Public policing begins to be instituted in Britain and then Canada and the U.S. Stories of crimes, criminals, and police help the population overcome their initial rejection of the police.

In 1888, Jack the Ripper terrorizes the streets of London and criminology and true crime are both changed forever; their interdependent relationship solidified in culture, law, and society.

Students will learn the history of true crime and its importance not only to popular culture, but to law, regulation, and society more broadly.

Course contains mature and sensitive topics including colonialism, racism, crime, death, and violence