Capital punishment, more commonly referred to as the death penalty, has long been a controversial area of public policy. The United States is one the minority of the world’s countries that have the death penalty. However, due to federalism, the issue is largely left in the hands of the states. Therefore, some states allow the death penalty, while others do not.

The most persistent argument in favor of the death penalty is that it acts as a deterrent, and, as a result, leads to a reduction in heinous crimes. The most persistent argument against the death penalty is that it violates the “cruel and unusual punishment” clause of the Eighth Amendment in the U.S. Constitution. Recently, other arguments have also come into play. Critics of the death penalty have claimed that a disproportionate amount of minorities and those with intellectual disabilities have been executed, and that those factors should be taken into account.

This deliberation raises moral, ethical and constitutional questions. Should the death penalty continue to be used in the United States?

Objectives and Outcomes

• Students will demonstrate understanding of vocabulary and concepts related to the death penalty.
  
  
• Students will analyze the arguments made in key Supreme Court death penalty cases.
  
  
• Students will deliberate whether the death penalty should be continued in the United States.