Lizzie Borden Fills a Classroom

Recently, there have been a spate of ads and announcements touting courses (past, present, and future) in criminal justice, law, and true crime that include a section of their curriculum on the Lizzie Borden case. Here is a small sampling of what you might find at your neighborhood library or adult education center.

If you do happen to take one of these classes or attend a lecture, do drop us a line so we can hear if it was an enjoyable experience and if they got their facts right! I am especially interested in the third listing below.

1. American Outlaws at the Loveland Public Library in Loveland, Colorado:

How many people did Jesse James shoot? Did Lizzie Borden really kill her parents with an axe? Learn about these and other outlaws from Colorado State University History Professor Robert Gudmestad. Join us the last Friday of each month from 1:00 – 2:00 as we take an interesting look at some infamous lives.

When : January 25, 2008
Where : Loveland Public Library
Gertrude Scott Meeting Room
Time : 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Participants : Homeschool Program for Young Adults 6th grade – 12th grade

2. Highland Park Independent School District, Dallas, Texas.

Mock Trial Presents “The Trial of Lizzie Borden”
HPHS teacher Jay Harris’ business and personal law classes will argue “The Trial of Lizzie Borden” as their mock trial project beginning at 8:15 Nov. 19 and 20 [2007] in the HPHS auditorium. The students will argue the 19th century case in a courtroom setting provided by theater teacher J.E. Masters.

3. Famous/Infamous American Trials through the Learning in Retirement program at the University of California, Riverside, Palm Desert Graduate Center:

Jan. 9, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Teacher: Carolyn Hill

Explore the facts and discuss the outcomes of nine notorious American trials, such as the Lizzie Borden trial, the Black Sox scandal, the Scopes “Monkey Trial” and others. Learn about trials of legal and historical significance.

4. From Curry College (Milton, MA) Undergraduate Catalogue

SOC 2414 Victorian Mystery, 3 credits, Murder & Mayhem: Lizzie Borden Case Study

The course uses the still unsolved 1892 Borden murder case to examine the social and cultural history of New England in the nineteenth century. The topics of urbanization, women’s roles, family life, religion, social class, role of the media, as well as the legal and criminal justice system in Fall River, Massachusetts Victorian society will be examined. Prerequisites:: Any 1000-level Sociology course.