Abstract:

Background:
In fall 2016, students in seven undergraduate courses at Saint Leo University (Florida, USA) took part in “The Trial of the Century”, a mock trial. The mock trial was held as a part of an Alternate Reality Learning Experience (ARLE) that was held on the campus over the course of one and a half days. The ARLE brought together faculty and students in sociology, biology, criminal justice, theater, public relations/professional writing, and cyber forensics.

Goal:
This paper offers preliminary analysis of term papers written by students in the “Sociology of Deviance and Social Control” course. One assignment in this course is an “Observation Paper” for which students are required to note deviant behavior, then write papers relating their observations and analyzing the deviant behavior applying information they have learned in the course. Students used their experiences as participants in the “Trial of the Century” on which to base their observations for their term papers. This presentation will provide a description of the implementation of the ARLE and analysis of student observation papers based on the mock trial.