True Crime, Gender, and Pop Culture: A Care-Full Analysis

Course Description

In this course, we will spend time analyzing the popular culture’s obsession with true crime. We will begin by building a culture of care within the space, as the content for this course will contain difficult themes. Focusing on true crime that contains themes of gender-based violence, we’ll look at the key elements of true crime, how it can be a tool for activism (or exploitation), and seek to understand why so many people want to consume this genre. Using an intersectional lens, you will analyze the current expressions of true crime in pop culture, and consider how to re-frame the content with care. You’ll also have the opportunity for practical application, as by the end of the week, you will develop a true crime story and learn how to pitch it. The course is a mix of class discussion, group work, and actually listening to and watching true crime. You will also hear from guest speakers on intersectional feminism and care, trauma-informed journalism, and hear from a true crime creator.

Learning outcomes include:
1. Understand expressions of GBV in true crime with an intersectional, feminist lens
2. Understand how to craft care-full stories of GBV
3. Complete a critical analysis of what true crime is and how we consume these stories
4. Listen and consume current expressions of true crime in pop culture
5. Put learning into practice by crafting and pitching true crime stories
6. Guest speakers on intersectional feminism and care, trauma-informed journalism, and hear from a true crime creator

Content warning: The themes of this course will focus on discussions of gender-based violence, including sexual violence and femicide.