Student activity: Are you responsible?

It was a high-profile murder case…

The accused has brutally slain a colleague…His defence? He'd been suffering from a brain tumour at the time, the physical changes in his brain causing him to become more aggressive and impulsive, making him less responsible for his actions. The press had a field day…

This issue's classroom activity is based around two podcasts. They are news reports of the court case, produced in completely different styles.

Put it all in context: read the topic guide [PDF 1.08MB].

Then listen to the podcasts:

'Formal' style [MP3 10.4MB]

'Formal' style [MP3 1.96MB]

Tabloid style [MP3 4.11MB]

Tabloid style [MP3 1.96MB]

And let's not forget your homework [PDF 616KB].

Thanks to the following for reviewing the activity materials and being interviewed for the podcasts:

• Lisa Claydon, University of the West of England (legal consultant)
• Chris Frith, Wellcome Department of Imaging Neuroscience (neuroscience consultant).