HIST 333 American Horror: Serial Killers in Historical Context

This course critically examines the rise and evolution of serial murder as a phenomenon uniquely intertwined with modern North American history. Moving beyond true-crime sensationalism, we will investigate how this specific form of violence—and the very term "serial killer"—is a product of shifting social, political, and technological landscapes from the late 19th century to the present. The course begins by identifying North America's earliest documented cases and traces the historical development of forensic science and criminal profiling, analyzing how urbanization, media evolution, and cultural anxieties contributed to the so-called "Golden Age" of serial killing. Through the analysis of primary sources, including police archives, historical news coverage, and legislative documents, students will learn to contextualize these notorious acts and their profound, lasting impact on public policy, law enforcement practice, and American social discourse. Prerequisite: ENGL 120- College Composition II or instructor approval.