Femme Fatale on Trial | Beauty, Bias & Women Who Kill

Decode true crime cases, media bias & gender psychology | Study Aileen Wuornos, Arias, Borden & dark feminine myths

What you'll learn
- Decode the femme fatale archetype and its evolution from ancient myth to modern media
- Analyze real-life cases through the lens of gender bias, courtroom theatrics, and media spectacle
- Identify the psychological, social, and cultural forces that shape public opinion and scapegoating
- Recognize the patterns in how women are framed as either monsters or martyrs in news and entertainment
- Understand how beauty, sexuality, motherhood, and defiance are weaponized in media narratives
- Use a clear checklist of bias, archetype, and narrative to evaluate legal cases and headlines critically
- Explore the blurred lines between truth, trial, and performance in the court of public opinion
- Reflect on the enduring impact of cases like Lizzie Borden, Aileen Wuornos, Casey Anthony, and beyond

Requirements
- No background in law or psychology is required
- An interest in true crime, media analysis, gender studies, or mythic storytelling
- Willingness to engage critically with complex and often uncomfortable societal patterns
- Course is appropriate for all genders, and designed for global learners seeking depth and clarity

Description
This course explores the relationship between beauty, perception, and justice in cases involving women accused of violent crimes. It focuses on public reactions, media framing, and psychological patterns seen in high-profile trials.

The femme fatale archetype has long been used to represent danger, desire, and deception. This course examines how that archetype continues to influence how women are portrayed in the courtroom and in culture—especially when the accused does not match society’s expectations of guilt or innocence.

Topics covered include:

How appearance and gender can influence courtroom outcomes

How media language shapes public interpretation of criminal cases

The evolution of the femme fatale across history, film, and social media

Social psychology principles related to bias, judgment, and perception

Designed for learners interested in psychology, criminology, and cultural analysis, this course provides a framework for understanding how femininity, power, and myth intersect in the public imagination.

Learners will examine specific cases and themes tied to perception, social conditioning, and emotional influence in legal and media settings. No prior experience in law or psychology is required.

This course is not intended to glorify criminal behavior. It focuses on the psychological, social, and cultural factors that shape public response to women accused of violent crimes.

Who this course is for:
- Students of psychology, criminal justice, sociology, or media studies
- Viewers of true crime documentaries who want a deeper and more ethical lens
- Advocates for gender equity, diversity, and bias-awareness in legal or journalistic professions
- Anyone curious about how narratives shape justice, perception, and power
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