In Cold Blood | Create WebQuest

Introduction

Mrs. Insley's WebQuest introduction to Truman Capote's

IN COLD BLOOD

This assignment is intended to create interest in and insight on the background of the true story of the murders of four people in the small town of Holcomb, Kansas, in 1959. For over fifty years, Americans have been intrigued and fascinated with this gruesome murder case. Through this assignment, you will gain the knowledge necessary to prepare you for reading the novel. You will be able to answer questions that are on everyone's minds about this story and it's themes such as

What causes someone to commit murder?

What is the psychology of murder?

What is the American Dream and the perversion of it?

What effects does religion have on people?

Does incarceration harm more than it helps?

Is the death penalty a deterrent or is it a way out?

Why do "social misfits" separate from the rest of society?

Task

Your Task and Resources

In the groups that you have been assigned to, you will complete the task that has been given to your group as follows. Assign each group member a different job in order to complete the assignment. Use the links below for your assigned group. Go to the 'Process' tab to read your detailed instructions.

A. Dr.James Fallon, Neuroscientist 1) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vx8RxRn6dWU, 2.)http://www.ted.com/talks/jim_fallon_exploring_the_mind_of_a_killer.html

B. Criminology for Dummies http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/criminology-for-dummies-cheat-sheet.html

C. Mysterious Matters http://mysteriousmatters.typepad.com/mysterious_matters_myster/2009/02/the-reason-for-murder.html

D. American Dream in the 1950's http://www.ultraswank.net/kitsch/american-dream-1940s-1950s/

E. Mass Murderers: What makes them tick?http://www.viewzone.com/sociopath.html

F. Negative Religious Effects on Society http://theunboundedspirit.com/the-negative-effects-of-religion-on-society/

G. Incarceration vs. Rehabilitation http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2012/12/18/prison-could-be-productive/punishment-fails-rehabilitation-works

http://www.medicaldaily.com/treatment-vs-punishment-poll-finds-americans-prefer-rehab-over-jail-drug-offenders-274660

H. Death Penalty 1) http://prospect.org/article/ending-practical-argument-about-death-penalty, 2) http://abovethelaw.com/2012/04/debating-the-death-penalty-from-both-sides-now/

I. 1950s Views on Homosexuality (society's "social misfits") http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1511945/?page=1

Process

Your Detailed Instructions

Each group will complete a PowerPoint presentation on their WebQuest. It is up to your group how you choose to organize the indivual slides.

*Helpful PowerPoint Tips:

-Use a large enough font to be seen from the back of the room

-Avoid using light colored font on light colored background and dark on dark background.

-don't have more than a few key words on each slide. Don't include paragraphs that you will read word for word.

-Use pictures whenever possible to emphasize important points

Follow you individual group instrctions below in order to effectively complete your assignment. Assign each group member a task so that the work is evenly distributed. Your group will all get the same grade on the assignment, so make it fair! Title your presentation with what is given below. Make sure every group members' name is on the title page. Include one or more pictures for each slide. Answer the questions posed under your topic and follow any additional instructions.

Individual Group Directions:

Group A: Neuroscience and What Makes a Murderer

First, view both videos by Dr. James Fallon, Neurocientist. Answer the following questions:

-What is psycopathology?

-What creates a killer (three things)?

-What is the MAOA gene? Explain.

-Why are men more likely than women to be killers?

-What does trauma have to do with a killer?

-What is the "Recipe" of a killer?

-How does the genetic predisposition become "concentrated"?

-Does he say that murderers are responsible for their actions?

-Define PSYCOPATH as he states it.

Group B: Criminology

First, read the entire web page. Then, answer the following questions:

-Define the seven types of violent killing

-Define the seven theories of why people commit crime and give examples of each if possible (you will not find examples on this site. You will have to do a search on your own for this)

Group C: Mysterious Matters: The Reason for Murder

First, read the article. Then, answer the following questions:

-Define the ten motives for murder

-give examples for each motive when possible (you will not find examples on this site. You will have to do a search on your own for this)

Group D: The American Dream in the 1950's

First, read the entire web page. Then, answer the following questions:

-Historically, what has happening in the 1950's that gave the American Dream its momentum?

-Define SOCIAL CONFORMITY

-Define BABY BOOMERS

-Talk about the roles of women during this time period

-Give the main points on leisure activities during this time

-Define CONSUMERISM

-Conclude, or sum up the article by focusing on values, home/family life, and work

Group E: Mass Murderers: What makes them tick?

Most criminologists define "mass murder" as three or more victims.

First, read the entire article. Then, answer the following questions:

-What do they call people who commit these crimes?

-Define ANTISOCIAL PERSONALITY DISORDER and its criteria.

-Define the "manipulator" psychopath and give 10 or more examples of behaviors exemplified by them.

-What are the causes of sociopathic disorder?

-What is theory of mind?

-Environment

-Morality

-Wrap up and conclude with some statistics and final thoughts on the topic at hand

Group F: Negative Social Effects of Religion on Society

First, read the entire article. Then, answer the following questions:

-Discuss Einstein's quote. What does it mean?

-How does Religion destroy peoples' lives? Cover each of the following ideas:

-Fear

-Unrealistic Demands

-Turning on each other

-Ignorance

-Conclude by summing up the ideas and what the author suggests.

-Discuss the last quote on the page. What does it mean?

Group G: Rehabilitation vs. Incarceration

First, read the article. Then, answer the following questions:

-What are the main points of both sides?

-Give statistics that support the sides

-What are the economic complications?

-Summarize the Research/Evidence

-What do the authors conclude about the topic?

Group H: The Death Penality/Capital Punishment

First, read both of the articles. Then, answer the following questions:

-What is the moral question?

-Show statistics that support the arguments

-Conclude and sum up the main ideas of the article

-Search online for pros/cons of the death penalty. List the top five reasons for and the top five reasons against the death penalty.

Group I: "Social Misfits"

First, read the entire publication that was written in 1957 on homosexuality. Then, answer the following questions:

-What are the main ideas of the publication?

-Choose quotes that exemplify the ideas of the writing.

-How are these views similar or different to today's views? What major ideas have changed? What has stayed the same?

Evaluation

WebQuest Rubric	10	8	6	4	2
Content (x3)	Project contains pictures for each slide; all questions and content included and thoroughly explained; title page	Project contains pictures for all slides; all questions and content included; title page	Project contains pictures for most slides; most questions are answered; title page	May be missing pictures, questions, and/or title page. Insufficient coverage.	Missing the majority of required content or incomplete.
Neatness/ Clarity/ Grammar (x2)	All slides are clear, easy to read, free from grammatical errors, and esthetically pleasing. Well done.	All slides are clear and easy to read, may contain some grammatical errors; esthetically pleasing.	Most slides are clear and easy to read; some grammatical errors; minimal design effort.	Many slides are difficult to read; or several grammatical errors; or hastily put together.	Majority of slides are unclear; or many grammatical errors; little or no proofing evident.
Presentation (x1)	All group members contributed to the presentation; good volume, articulation and eye contact.	All group members contributed to the presentation; fair volume, articulation and/or eye contact.	One or more group members did not participate in the presentation; poor volume, articulation, and/or eye contact.	One or more group members did not participate in the presentation; extremely poor volume, articulation or eye contact.	The project was not presented by any group members; and/or group was not prepared to present when scheduled.

Total Points _________/60

Conclusion

Once each group has presented their PowerPoint presentations, the class as a whole will be assessed to make sure that you retain the information that you need in order to better understand the novel.

THERE WILL BE A QUIZ IN CLASS ON ALL OF THE INFORMATION THAT YOU RECIEVE FROM THE PRESENTATIONS.

You will be told what day to expect the quiz. Be sure to study!