Capital Punishment Seminar

Catalog description

This seminar will focus on the intricate Eighth Amendment jurisprudence that has developed since the United States Supreme Court's decision in Furman v. Georgia. Some of the main themes will include; recent history of the death penalty and its "constitutionalization; role of aggravating and mitigating evidence in guiding the sentencer's discretion; application to juveniles and mentally retarded; political and social influences and debate; mechanics of trial and appeal; scope of appellate review, right to counsel and habeas corpus controversy; insanity, methods of execution and the role of clemency;and constitutional challenges to arbitrary imposition of the death penalty including race-based claims. Prerequisite(s): None. Satisfies perspectives requirement. Graded.