Homicide (SOC*2760)

Code and section: SOC*2760*DE01

Term: Winter 2026

Instructor: Myrna Dawson

Details

UofGidentifier

 

 

College of Social and Applied Human Sciences

Department of Sociology & Anthropology

SOC*2760 Homicide – Distance Education

 

Professor: M. Dawson                                                                                               Winter 2026

Email: mdawson@uoguelph.ca

Course Description

This course will review legal definitions of homicide, statistical trends in homicide-both in Canada and internationally-and theoretical explanations of homicide. The course will also examine the key criminological/ sociological empirical research studies on the various types of homicide, such as: corporate homicide, femicide, serial and mass murder.

Required readings: All readings will be available through Ares Course Reserve or Courselink.

Learning outcomes: By the end of the course, the learner should be able to:

  1. Explain homicide using a sociological criminological framework, including why it is important to study this phenomenon;
  2. Describe the role the media plays in shaping our perceptions of homicide and who is involved, as well as the accuracy of these representations;
  3. Identify and describe available data sources used to study homicide and analyze their strengths and limitations;
  4. Identify, explain and assess major theories of homicide, and apply the theories to real-life scenarios;
  5. Differentiate among the many types of homicide, including the common characteristics of those involved and the circumstances surrounding the killing; and
  6. Describe and assess the criminal justice and community responses to homicide and evaluate the effectiveness in deterring, controlling and preventing homicide.

Assessment

Weight

Learning Outcomes

Unit Quizzes

20%

2, 4, 5, 6, 7

Discussion Participation

15%

2, 4, 5, 6, 7

Comparing Homicide Locally and Globally

20%

1, 2, 4, 5, 6

Representing Homicide: Fact or Fiction?

20%

1, 2, 3, 5, 6

Final Exam

25%

 

Total

100%

 

Technical Requirements

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*Course details are subject to change.

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