PART I: SHORT RESPONSE

1. What are the characteristics of individuals executed in the United States since 1977 and on death row today?

2. What major U.S. Supreme Court decisions influenced capital punishment legislation?

3. Differentiate among the five ways that capital punishment jurisdictions weigh aggravating and mitigating circumstances to determine if a death sentence is appropriate.

4. Evaluate the death penalty process.

5. What is the Supreme Court's reasoning for banning the execution of juveniles and offenders with mental retardation?

PART II: JOURNAL ACTIVITY

Submit responses to both topics.

Topic #1: Research which option costs more: capital punishment or life in prison without parole.

Topic #2: Find the most recent execution done this year. Look up the circumstances of the case and if there were any public debates as to whether the person should be executed. Also find the last woman executed and look at the arguments presented to save her from this punishment.