The module allows students to delve into the fascinating topic of serial murder. This module is used to develop the learners’ thirst for reading and research. The subject is intended to prompt an interest in analysing competing criminological theories and allow the learners to build on their critical analysis. This subject will provide a stimulus for reading and research traditional and contemporary criminological theories.

Issues covered include:
1: An introduction to serial killing as a criminological phenomenon
2: Historical background
3: Exploring the definition of serial killing
4: Categories
5: Biological and Neurocriminology
6: Psychological Perspective
7: Sociological theories
8: Media and serial killers
9: Managing dangerous offenders
10: case studies
11. Victims and survivors

Learners will have the opportunity to engage in a formative assessment as part of the module and will receive formative feedback on a poster presentation that is linked to one of the questions in the exam.

Learning for this module will be based around students committing a total of 200 hours, split between 39 hours of direct contact with a tutor and 161 hours of directed study. Student will be taught in a mixture of lectures and workshop sessions, each having a one-hour lecture per week and a two-hour workshop per week. In the lectures, students will be introduced to the general concepts and theories. Workshops will be linked to the lecture and involve subjects for discussion and case studies. The workshops are designed to help students assess their understanding of a topic and to develop their analytical and communication skills.

Formative assessment will include feedback during workshop discussions and debates.

Module Learning Outcome

1 Demonstrate an understanding of the criminological theories that attempt to explain the phenomena of serial killing.

University Learning Outcome

Learning, Knowledge and Understanding, Analysis

Module Learning Outcome

2. Apply the criminological theories on to British case studies. Using the often-competing theories to compare cases.

University Learning Outcome

Analysis, Application

Module Learning Outcome

3. Using problem solving to determine whether serial killing is a distinctly modern phenomenon, product of relatively recent social and cultural conditions. Provide fresh insights by accentuating the broad institutional frameworks, motivations, and opportunity structures within which serial murder occurs.

University Learning Outcome

Enquiry, problem solving, Analysis

Module Learning Outcome

4. Provide informed views of how dangerous offenders can be managed in the secure estate and high-security psychiatric hospital.

University Learning Outcome

Analysis, Communication, Reflection

- Lecture rooms equipped with PowerPoint, OHP and whiteboard
- Workshop rooms for group work
- Blackboard VLE and Microsoft Teams

Cross, N. (2012) Law Express: Criminology (Revision Guide). 1st edn. Pearson.

Wilson, D., Yardley, E. and Lynes, A. (2015) Serial Killers and the Phenomenon of Serial Murder: A Student Textbook

Waterside Press ISBN: 9781909976214

Wilson, D. (2020) A History of British Serial Killing the Shocking Account of Jack the Ripper, Harold Shipman and Beyond Little, Brown Book Group Limited ISBN: 9780751581072

Additional reading available from the online reading list.

The module allows learners to delve into the fascinating topic of serial murder. This module is used to develop the learners’ thirst for reading and research. The subject is intended to prompt an interest in analysing competing criminological theories and allow the learners to build on their critical analysis. This subject will provide a stimulus for reading and research traditional and contemporary criminological theories.