This course will delve into the fascinating and often unsettling world of true crime writing, with the central text being Truman Capote's In Cold Blood. The book, published in 1966, is a seminal work of true crime literature and a masterpiece of narrative journalism. The book, a ‘nonfiction novel,’ tells the story of the brutal murder of the Clutter family in rural Kansas in 1959 and the subsequent investigation and trial of their killers. In addition to our primary text, we will engage in short-form true crime articles (and likely podcasts, too!). This course is ideal for students interested in literature, journalism, history, and criminology.

This course utilizes a mixed-level classroom model, offering both Advanced and Standard level options.