\American Government Assignment
Essay: A Response to Twelve Angry Men
Directions: For this assignment, you will respond to a series of questions regarding Twelve Angry Men and its representation of the American judicial process. Select and respond to FIVE questions below. Your responses should address BOTH the film itself and the concepts from lecture/readings it invokes; good responses will not only address the relevant aspect of the film but also refer extensively to course concepts and readings. Responses which just address the film and/or your opinion only will NOT receive full marks.
Questions: Select FIVE questions from the following list. Note that many of these questions are answered regarding the film as a whole, and not necessarily at one particular moment.
1. What does "reasonable doubt" mean? Why is it the standard we use in convicting? Should we?
2. Consider the jury's demographic composition. Do you think it is "balanced?" Why or why not? What implications could this have on the verdict?
3. What are the facts of this case? What was the crime? How was it committed? What was the motive? (These come out as the film progresses.)
4. The jury deliberative structure is very un-structured as you see. Should we change this? How does this benefit discussion? Hamper?
5. How do the various backgrounds of the jurors influence their views? What about their interactions with each other?
6. Juror 8 (the initial "not guilty" vote) questions the competency of the defense lawyer. Can one get a fair trial if a lawyer performs incompetently? Should the Sixth Amendment's guarantee of counsel also be interpreted to mean "competent representation?" Why or why not?
7. How does this particular jury demonstrate America's commitment to procedural equality? How does it not?
8. What does this film suggest about eye-witness testimony? Can it be "colored by the personalities who present it?"
9. What does this film suggest about the prevalence and influence of stereotypes within the American legal system (and society at-large)? How much weight do the "facts" actually carry?
10. How does further deliberation after each vote affect the outcome? Is "reasonable doubt" being "orchestrated" or was it always there?
11. How long do you think a jury should deliberate before being "hung?"
12. What does this film suggest about "groupthink?" How can it negatively impact a jury's deliberations (or court case itself)?
Format: You should type your responses for each question, using 1 ½ spacing. Questions should be clearly labeled; I suggest putting the question in bold and then starting the answer below it. Please use normal one-inch margins, with Times New Roman 12-point font, with your name placed at the beginning of the paper. Please paginate your essay (i.e. page numbers should appear on your pages!). Please do not provide a cover page; your name at the beginning of the document is sufficient.
Citations: You should rely ONLY on the film, class readings, and lecture discussions in composing your responses. As such, there is no need to formally cite. If you refer to a class reading, note the author and/or title; if you refer to a class
concept, note the concept itself in your answer - DO NOT CITE MY POWERPOINTS. Example: "The film demonstrated the idea of procedural equality, where American courts focus on procedural fairness rather than on substantive outcomes." I already know where you found the material; I want you to demonstrate to me that you know how to apply it!
Submission: A paper copy of your essay will be submitted to me on the due date noted below. I reserve the right to submit the essay to SafeAssign in the event that I believe plagiarism and/or cheating has occurred. Please be sure to have a printed, STAPLED copy of your essay; I cannot accept emailed essays except in extenuating circumstances. [Example: a doctor's note indicating illness is acceptable, but an emailed paper stating that you overslept is not.]