The Stranger Lesson Plan

Mock Trial: Insanity Plea

Kind of Activity:

Technology

Objective:

Students will be able to evaluate the legal requirements for an insanity plea and cite evidence

Common Core Standards:

CCSS.ELA.LITERACY.RL.11-12.6; CCSS.ELA.LITERACY.RL.11-12.7

Structure:

Ask students if they think Meursault was insane at the time he committed the murder. What do they think it means to be insane? Was Meursault acting rationally? After an involved discussion, explain to students that most of them will work in small "legal groups" to research the types of insanity defenses that can be used in the United States. Some groups may argue for and others may argue against the appropriateness of...