Crime Podcast Project

This weeks unit is CRIME!!! Crime is one of my favorite subjects as it is discussed in every culture on Earth. What causes crime? Are people born criminals or are they turned into criminals? What should be done with people who commit crimes? Do some criminals deserve punishment while others deserve rehabilitation? Can we ever be 100% sure that someone is truly guilty of a crime? Why do some people commit such horrifying crimes?... These are just some of the questions I hope to discuss with you this week. In addition to discussing these questions I'd like for us to embark on a small project where you get to delve a little deeper into a particular crime that you find interesting. Here is what you need to do.

1. Choose a partner. This project must be done in pairs.

2. Find a podcast that covers the crime you are interested in or a podcast that covers a crime you find fascinating.

Options: There are SOOOOO many crime podcasts to choose from. Here are a few of my favorites.

One of my favorite podcasts, period, is The Last Podcast on the Left (Check out the site for a full list of episodes.) WARNING!!! So much foul language!









Another great crime podcast that takes a more serious tone is Criminal.

One of my favorite episodes is "Just Mercy"

As a law student, Bryan Stevenson was sent to a maximum security prison to meet a man on death row. The man told Stevenson he’d never met an African-American lawyer, and the two of them talked for hours. It was a day that changed Stevenson’s life. He’s spent the last 30 years working to get people off of death row, but has also spent the final hours with men he could not save from execution. He argues that each of us is deserving of mercy.


Other great crime podcasts to peruse can be found HERE!


3. With your partner, choose a podcast to listen to and inform me about which podcast you have chosen. You should take notes, summarize the information and opinions of the presenters for you to present to the class. In your presentation you should make sure to include the following information.

•  Who are the people involved with the story and why are they involved. 
• Where does this story take place and does the location of the story add to the contextual understanding of the story?
• If studying a serial killer or other type of crime, what were the motives for these crimes? 
• What, if any, opinions do the hosts of the podcasts give on the motives of these crimes and does their analysis differ from mainstream views (do background research on the crime outside of the podcast to draw on)?
• What are your own opinions of this crime and if you had the opportunity to prosecute this crime or crimes what punishment would you seek?
• In your opinion, what could have been done to prevent these crimes from happening? 

4. Create a powerpoint, prezi or some other visual presentation to help you present these facts to the class. 

5. Create a short Kahoot! quiz to give to the class after your presentation. The kahoot should have at least 5 questions! More is fine if you want to make it more competitive.

IF YOU HAVE NEVER HEARD OF KAHOOT! PLEASE GO HERE!!!

6. Presentations are on Friday!!!