Home » Catalog » Course Catalog » CJS 3320

Course Title: Homicide and Capital Punishment
Campus Course Code: CJS 3320
UTTC Course Code: CCJO 3374
Campus: UT Dallas
Program: CCJO
Course Description

This course is a general examination of the nature, extent, and distribution of Criminal Homicide. It is designed to introduce the student to definitions of homicide, empirical trends and patterns, and victim offender relationships.

The course offers an analysis of the administration of Capital Punishment (i.e., the Death Penalty) as a “just, fair, and effective” societal response to the crime of capital murder. Course material will cover (1) the use of Capital Punishment history; (2) US Supreme Court cases concerning the constitutionality of Capital Punishment, (3) and contemporary problems in administering Capital Punishment.

The primary focus of this course is the examination of the contemporary controversy surrounding the alleged selectivity of the use of Capital Punishment and the extent to which it continues to be so arbitrary and capricious, that it may once again violate the Eighth Amendment of the US Constitution.

Objectives and Activities

  1. Obtain knowledge and understanding of the legal definitions of criminal homicide.
  2. Obtain knowledge and understanding of the patterns and trends of criminal homicide.
  3. Analyze the victim/offender relationships in criminal homicide.
  4. Describe major historical Capital Punishment cases (e.g., Furman V. Georgia, Gregg v. Georgia, etc.).
  5. Describe contemporary Capital Punishment Cases (e.g., Juries, Juveniles, Mentally Retarded, etc.).
  6. Examine the “Fairness” of Capital Punishment.
  7. Examine the “Effectiveness” of Capital Punishment.
  8. Define Texas’ Capital Punishment procedures.
  9. Analyze punishment phase of a capital murder trial.
  10. Analyze the contemporary problems surrounding use of Capital Punishment in Texas.

Materials

To see a complete list of materials needed for this course, as well as any important notes and instructions provided by the instructor, visit the UTTC Book Lists.
Prerequisites: Six hours of sophomore English. Concurrent enrollment will be accepted with approval of instructor.
Credits:3
Level:Undergraduate
Faculty

Paul  Tracy
drptracy@airmail.net
972-883-2040