Would you take a special subject sociology class that required you to visit a prison and interview a serial killer?

I have been in many prisons, and I recommend to people that if they get the chance, they should see one (even if it's closed, as in Alcatraz or the old Montana State Prison, though open is better). There is a lot told about a society by how they treat their offenders. Many people are also shocked to see that prisons no longer (usually) look like a scene out of The Shawshank Redemption, and prisoners live somewhat normal lives: they work, they go to school, they eat meals together, they participate in sports and recreation, and they visit with their families.

A lot of people expect to see monsters, and when they see normal people, it changes their perspective. Let's be honest: there but for the grace of whatever go many of us. I don't think your professor is offering you access to a serial killer, but yes, I would talk to one.

I actually have exchanged letters with a number of serial killers, including members of the Manson "family," David Berkowitz, and Arthur Shawcross. I wouldn't have a problem sitting face to face with any of these people. Actually, I found most of my penpals to be rather nice, and no longer at all interested in crime (although, Arthur did tell me how to steal money from a payphone once).

It would be naive to think that most killers would sit down and happily tell you all the gory details, and I think if anything, most people would be disappointed by how run-of-the-mill they appear to be, when you actually talk to them. The whole Hannibal Lecter situation would not happen outside of a movie. Honestly, I think it would even be naive to expect to obtain any kind of insight about them at all.

People are complex. Behavior is complex. Even an offender who for some reason really wanted to help out a college student probably would be hard to "pick apart" in an hour or so--and most would NOT want to help with that.

The last time I was officially touring a prison, rather than volunteering in one, an offender called out to us to "not feed the animals. " They often feel like you're there treating them like animals in cages, or hoping to see a freak show, and they do not want to oblige. If you do go into the prison, go in with the respect you pay anyone when you enter their home.

Treat them like people.

I would definitely give it a shot, particularly if I was interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement or criminal science. It would absolutely be a worthwhile experience for someone with those life goals, or anyone just interested in criminal behavior generally. In fact, I'm not sure why you WOULDN'T do it.It's not like agreeing to speak with a serial killer necessarily condones their behavior.

It's just to help you understand the psychology and circumstances surrounding murderous and/or psychopathic behavior. Also, if anything dramatic happens, they might make a movie about you! youtube.com/watch?v=BjGpcEA-FyE.

I would do it if I were you. The one thing that I find many young people lack is a belief in the existence of pure unadulterated evil. I have seen it in my life many times, and I have no doubt that there are many individuals who do cruel and wicked things simply because they decided to be evil.

Evil gives them satisfaction. They crave it and lust for it, they can't sleep at night because they are planning the evil they will do the next day. These are not people who are victims of bad environments or bullies, they didn't just have bad parents or oppressive religious training, and they sure didn't make a mistake or a bad choice.

They lived the way they planned to live because they chose to be evil. There is a battle between evil and good in this world, and evil ought to scare the crap out of all of us. Don't be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

That right there is good advice.

Yes, in a heartbeat. No amount of reading can give you this once in a lifetime experience. And that is what it would be- an experience.

You will be safer inside the prison than you are on the streets- you will never be alone with this individual, so you have nothing to fear in that regard. Everyone should visit a prison at least once in their life. For more reasons than meeting the killer; the entire prison system and visitation process is really an experience that cannot be fathomed in a description.

Also, by being apart of this Serial Killer interview, you may have some valuable sociological insight to contribute to psychology journals someday or even write a book that can benefit all of society. So, don't be a chicken. You can do it!

Get full credit for that class and a valuable life experience at the same time.

I would do it. I am interested in how a person like that thinks. I once interviewed a true crime writer (Gary C King) and asked him what it was like to talk to a serial killer.

For me it would be a plus to get to take a class that allowed me to talk to one. I just can't get my mind around how somebody could be a serial killer.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.