Odysseus Logo

Virginia Tech

CRIM-3124: Murder in American History

Description: Considers how the definition of murder as a crime has changed from the colonial period to the present day. Uses murder cases to study the dynamics of American society in condemning, condoning, or celebrating murder. Asks how cultural factors, including racial prejudice, gender stereotypes, beliefs about sexuality, and class status affected the act of killing, media coverage of the event, societal reactions, and the execution of justice. Topics covered include abortion, lynching, vigilante justice, and the evolution of the legal system.

Pathways: 2 Critical Thinking Humanities, 7 Identity & Equity in U.S., 11 Intercultural&Global Aware.

Course Hours: 3 credits

Prerequisites: N/A

Required By: N/A

Corequisites: N/A

Crosslist: HIST-3124

Repeatability: N/A

Sections Taught: 6

Average GPA: 3.46 (A-)

Strict A Rate (No A-) : 58.11%

Average Withdrawal Rate: 2.07%

Melanie A Kiechle202258.6%18.3%10.1%4.4%5.7%2.9%3.183
Elissa Branum202386.8%6.4%3.4%1.2%0.9%1.2%3.753

Grade Distribution Over Time