A Cultural interest

Research Question

• How does the phenomenon of serial killers act as either a manifestation of society's interest and/or how is it effecting society's interest?

Methodology

• Article: Cultural and Rhetorical Criticism
• Online Component: Visual Rhetoric
• Examining across various genres
• Look at specific examples of media as well as individual serial killers

General signifigance

• Question society's interest in serial killers and topics of "other"
• How various genres have embraced the topic
• Noting the overwhelming presence
• Determining how media plays a significant role in progression of cultural topics

Rhetoric and composition

• Allows a framework for thinking about other unusual topics
• Explores a specific topic that hasn't received a lot of attention yet
• Questions an aspect of human nature
• Has so many lines of interest to explore including gender issues, language, social construction, and media influence

The gap

• The serial killer topic is mainly discussed in criminology, psychology, and film studies
• Literature studies specifically has explored the serial killer topic in terms of serial killer fiction, detective fiction and gothic literature
• However Rhetoric and Composition has not yet fully explored the topic

Exciting component

• Challenge aspects or "truths" about society that do not tend to receive critical thought
• Questioning why certain topics have become accepted as entertainment
• Find and explore a gap in academic studies- do what others haven't yet

"A society needs famous people; the question is whom it chooses for that role. Any criticism of its choice is by implication a criticism of that society"
-Max Frisch