Capital Punishment in America: The Death Penalty

Catalog description

An overview of capital punishment in America with specific application to Kansas. The course covers different philosophical and religious positions on the death penalty; pro and con arguments related to retribution, deterrence, and incapacitation; the relative costs of the death penalty vs. permanent incarceration; innocent people on death row, discrimination, and arbitrariness in the application of the death penalty; and the role of judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, juries, and witnesses in death penalty cases. Prerequisite: CJ 100 or consent of instructor.