Introduction to Criminal Law: To Kill a Mockingbird (Novel Study)
In this self-paced course, students will learn about the basics of criminal law while reading and discussing the novel To Kill a Mockingbird.
Amy Lavin, J.D.
Average rating:
4.8
Number of reviews:(360)
What's included
8 pre-recorded lessons
8 weeks
of teacher support1 year access
to the contentHomework
1 hour per week. It is expected that students will be prepared for class by reading the weekly assigned chapters. Each student will need a copy of the book.Class Experience
US Grade 7 - 10
This self-paced course will focus on the basics of criminal law. Using examples from the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, students will explore all aspects of the criminal justice system in the United States. During the course, students will role play as important members of the criminal justice system: defendant, prosecutor, defense attorney, victims, witnesses, and jury. As a self-paced class, there will be no live lessons. Students will have access to lessons and videos on Nearpod that detail each topic and engage the students in activities with examples from the novel. They also will have access to an online discussion board to engage with the teacher and other online learners. Class #1 - What is the history of the criminal justice system? • The purpose of the criminal justice system • The history of the criminal justice system • Setting - To Kill a Mockingbird • HOMEWORK (before Class #2): Read Chapters 1-5 Class #2 - What is a crime? • The key elements of a crime • The purpose of prosecutorial discretion • Point of View - To Kill a Mockingbird • HOMEWORK (before Class #3): Read Chapters 6-10 Class #3 - Who is a defense attorney? • The purpose of a defense attorney • The rights of a defendant • Characters - To Kill a Mockingbird • HOMEWORK (before Class #4): Read Chapters 11-15 Class #4 - Who is a prosecutor? • The purpose of a prosecutor • The protection of victims • Tone - To Kill a Mockingbird • HOMEWORK (before Class #5): Read Chapters 16-20 Class #5 - What does a trial look like? • The key elements of a criminal trial • Opening statements and closing arguments • Conflict - To Kill a Mockingbird • HOMEWORK (before Class #6): Read Chapters 21-25 Class #6 - What is the appellate process? • The purpose of the appellate system • The quest for justice • Plot - To Kill a Mockingbird • HOMEWORK (before Class #7): Read Chapters 26-28 Class #7 - How do attorneys prepare for trials? • How to interview witnesses • The use of objections • Theme (Part 1) - To Kill a Mockingbird • HOMEWORK (before Class #8): Read Chapters 29-31 Class #8 -- What is the role of a jury? • The purpose of a jury • The legal standard of reasonable doubt • Theme (Part 2) - To Kill a Mockingbird During the course, students will follow along with Google slide presentations on Nearpod to learn about the criminal justice system, followed by a series of discussions and evaluations of textual examples from current events. The first half of the presentations will focus on lecture and discussion, and the second half will give students the opportunity to role play as different characters from the criminal justice system. [Photo Credit: Image by Venita Oberholster from Pixabay]
Learning Goals
Students will improve their understanding of the criminal justice system and will apply that knowledge to the novel To Kill a Mockingbird. Students will also learn about the elements of literature--setting, point of view, characters, tone, conflict, plot, and theme--and apply that knowledge to the novel.
Syllabus
8 Lessons
over 8 WeeksLesson 1:
What is the history of the criminal justice system?
• The purpose of the criminal justice system
• The history of the criminal justice system
• Setting - To Kill a Mockingbird
• HOMEWORK (before Class #2): Read Chapters 1-5 Lesson 2:
What is a crime?
• The key elements of a crime
• The purpose of prosecutorial discretion
• Point of View - To Kill a Mockingbird
• HOMEWORK (before Class #3): Read Chapters 6-10 Lesson 3:
Who is a defense attorney?
• The purpose of a defense attorney
• The rights of a defendant
• Characters - To Kill a Mockingbird
• HOMEWORK (before Class #4): Read Chapters 11-15 Lesson 4:
Who is a prosecutor?
• The purpose of a prosecutor
• The protection of victims
• Tone - To Kill a Mockingbird
• HOMEWORK (before Class #5): Read Chapters 16-20 Other Details
Parental Guidance
Since this is a class about criminal law, it may deal with behaviors that are violent or socially unacceptable. The teacher will be sensitive to these subjects and will avoid overt details and/or descriptions that are not age-appropriate.
Additionally, the novel To Kill a Mockingbird includes situations dealing with racism, violence, rape, and alcoholism. Please make sure you are familiar with the book's content and are comfortable with your student discussing these situations prior to enrolling in this class.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Sources
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Joined May, 2020
4.8
360reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
I have a Juris Doctor from the S.J. Quinney College of Law, University of Utah; a Master of Arts in Education from the University of Phoenix; and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Brigham Young University. I taught high school English for eight years, and I currently teach ESL online. I am also a former prosecuting attorney, and I currently practice law in several different areas. I have taught Harper Lee's novel To Kill a Mockingbird for eight years to 10th grade language arts students. Reviews
Self-Paced Course
$10
weekly or $80 for all content8 pre-recorded lessons
8 weeks of teacher support
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1 year of access to the content
Completed by 28 learners
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Ages: 12-16
