Across the Curriculum with Detective Fiction for Young People and Adults

CONTENTS OF CURRICULUM UNIT 07.02.06

  1. Unit Guide
  1. Introduction
  2. Rationale
  3. Objectives
  4. Strategies
  5. The Detective Fiction Genre
  6. Three African-American Authors
  7. Aspects of Identity
  8. Historical Implications
  9. Lesson Plan 1 - Whodunit?
  10. Lesson Plan 2 - Serialized Secrets
  11. Lesson Plan 3 - Adaptation of the Detective Tale
  12. Student Resources
  13. Teacher Resources
  14. Filmography
  15. Notes
  16. Appendix

Crime Fiction Investigation: "Socially Correct or Not, Let Me Tell You Who Did It"

Bonnee L. Breese Bentum

Published September 2007

Tools for this Unit:

Appendix

Detective Fiction Vocabulary List - Appendix A

  1. Whodunit
  2. Detective fiction
  3. Hard-boiled
  4. Police procedural
  5. Country genteel
  6. Private investigator
  7. Analysis
  8. Intuition
  9. Forensic
  10. Closed room mystery
  11. Suspects
  12. Clues
  13. Detective

Film Questions - Appendix B

1. Discuss the symbolism or social implications of cigarettes and alcohol of the period and how they are used in the film.

2. Big city vs. country people - the up and coming middle class: how does the director portray this and the subject of the American Dream?

3. What does the use of music tell you about the scene(s) in the film?

4. List as many racial assertions as you can that are found in the film and explain your responses.

5. Discuss the conflicts viewed between the characters in the film and compare it to the conflicts in the characters in the text (decide on three characters).

6. How is color used in the film? What statements are being made in its use?

7. How has Black-on-Black crime evolved from the film's time period to present day? Use at least two examples from the film and discuss the ramifications in detail.

8. Examine cultural issues as reflected in the film and compare them to your own personal experiences.

9. What does it mean to have an absurdist view? Have you seen any absurd activity in the film? Explain your answer; support it using at least three details.

10. How is urban violence portrayed in the film? Evaluate the cultural/social issues initiating the situation(s).

Pennsylvania State Academic Standards - Appendix C

Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening Standards

  • Learning to Read Independently
  • Reading Critically in All Content Areas
  • Reading, Analyzing and Interpreting Literature
  • Types of Writing
  • Quality of Writing
  • Speaking and Listening
  • Research

Standards for the Arts and Humanities

  • Production, Performance and Exhibition of Dance, Music, Theatre and Visual Arts
  • Critical Response
  • Aesthetic Response

Standards for History

  • Historical Analysis and Skills Development
  • United States History

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