The Criminal in Contemporary Popular Culture

Catalog description

This interdisciplinary seminar traces the archetype of the criminal across the arts, including literature, film, music, theatre, literary non-fiction, graphic novels, cartoons, architecture, and the fine arts. The way in which socioeconomics, racism, homophobia, and gender discrimination influence the criminal archetype will be considered as will the historical context of the texts assigned. The course will examine the impact that this archetype has made upon popular culture through a variety of critical lenses. Writers and artists are chosen broadly, such as Fyodor Dostoevsky, Ian Fleming, Mario Puzo, Erik Larson, Dr. Dre, and Viet Than Hguyen. Prerequisite(s): ENG 102 or permission of instructor. Three lecture hours per week.Gen. Ed. Competencies Met: Ethical Dimensions and Human Expression.