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Serial Killers: Panic or Intrigue?
UndergraduateUNE-CRIM2332025
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- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- Part of a degree
- Duration
- 16 weeks
- Start dates
- 23 June 2025
- Loan available
- FEE-HELP available
Serial Killers: Panic or Intrigue?
About this subject
Upon completion of this subject, students will be able to:
- critically analyse the various components of serial crime and serial criminals and public fascination within these aspects;
- articulate and assess how serial offenders and serial crime have become a leisure activity;
- apply and assess how serial crimes are investigated and prosecuted;
- evaluate accuracy and misrepresentation in sources used to present case studies of serial offenders; and
- model research, analysis, and communication skills that contribute to life-long application in a professional career.
- Topics will be available to enrolled students in the subjects Learning Management System site approximately one week prior to the commencement of the teaching period.
Throughout history there have often been 'moral panics' associated with serial killers, and a longstanding tradition of social fascination with these figures. In this subject you will critically examine the social construction of serial killers. Examining the source of fascination, this subject will use various case studies of serial offenders to analyse how police have investigated these crimes; how the offenders have subsequently been treated by the criminal justice system; and how offenders have been portrayed. You will assess the construction and representations of such figures, including media coverage and 'dark tourism' and analyse ways that offenders have been understood and regarded, and how this has influenced criminal justice practice. You will also explore public fascination with serial killers, and how this manifests in different leisure and tourism activities for people, ranging from documentaries to real life ghost tours.
Written Assessment: 2250 words. Relates to Learning Outcomes 1-5.
Quiz: 1500 words (equivalent). Relates to Learning Outcomes 1-4;
Oral Presentation: 1500 words (equivalent). Relates to Learning Outcome 5;- Quiz 1 (30%)
- Written Assessment (50%)
- Oral Presentation (20%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
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Entry requirements
Part of a degree
To enrol in this subject you must be accepted into one of the following degrees:
Elective
- UNE-CRM-DEG-2025 - Bachelor of Criminology
Prior study
You must either have successfully completed the following subject(s) before starting this subject, or currently be enrolled in the following subject(s) in a prior study period; or enrol in the following subject(s) to study prior to this subject:
Please note that your enrolment in this subject is conditional on successful completion of these prerequisite subject(s). If you study the prerequisite subject(s) in the study period immediately prior to studying this subject, your result for the prerequisite subject(s) will not be finalised prior to the close of enrolment. In this situation, should you not complete your prerequisite subject(s) successfully you should not continue with your enrolment in this subject. If you are currently enrolled in the prerequisite subject(s) and believe you may not complete these all successfully, it is your responsibility to reschedule your study of this subject to give you time to re-attempt the prerequisite subject(s).
Others
Candidature in Bachelor of Criminology.
To enrol in this subject you will need to pass the Prerequisite/s. Please note as UNE results are released after the close of enrolment date, your enrolment into this subject will be withdrawn if you do not pass the prerequisite subject/s.
Additional requirements
- Equipment requirements - Headphones or speakers (required to listen to lectures and other media). Headset, including microphone (highly recommended). Webcam (may be required for participation in virtual classrooms and/or media presentations).
- Software requirements - It is essential for students to have reliable internet access in order to participate in and complete your units, regardless of whether they contain an on campus attendance or intensive school component. For additional information please visit UNE Hardware Requirements: https://www.une.edu.au/current-students/support/it-services/hardware
- Other requirements -
Textbook requirements:
Textbook information is not available until approximately 8 weeks prior to the commencement of the Teaching period.
Students are expected to purchase prescribed material.
Textbook requirements may vary from one teaching period to the next.
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
Related degrees
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
UndergraduateUNE-CRM-DEG