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]