A study of Capital Punishment in the United States is largely a study of the Eighth Amendment to the Constitution. Topics covered will include: The Great Debate Over Capital Punishment; Methods of Execution; Early Constitutional Challenges; Constitutional Limitations on Death Eligibility; Death Qualification of a Capital Jury; The Role of Aggravating Circumstances; The Role of Mitigating Evidence; The Sentencing Decision; The Special Issues of Volunteers; Psychiatric Evidence; Ineffective Assistance of Counsel; Race, Gender and the Death Penalty; Federal Habeas Corpus Review; and International Aspects of Capital Punishment. (3 units)

Certificate(s):  Public Interest and Social Justice Law Certificate (List C)