The seminar is not a lecture on the substantive and procedural due process of the death penalty.

The seminar is designed to be a journey into the death penalty from a historical perspective and from the viewpoint of jurors, who have had to decide whether a defendant lived or died, and family members of victims who are opposed to the death penalty.

This is not a lecture seminar. The success of the seminar is dependant on the active participation and preparation of each and every member of the class. Every student is expected to be prepared and to actively participate in class discussions.

Class members views, opinions and beliefs will be respected by each and every member of the class.

Tolerance of different viewpoints, opinions and beliefs must be welcomed, embraced and respected. Intolerance, naming calling, berating or any other disrespectful behavior will not be tolerated.

Class participation grades are not dependant on a particular view point, but are dependant on active preparation and participation in the class.

Audio and/or visual recording of the class is strictly prohibited.

This course is open to SENIORS electing the criminal justice option, or by permission of the instructor. Students should have a basic knowledge of the criminal justice system. All students will be required to participate in class discussions. All reading assignments must be completed prior to each class.

Class participation: 40 %
Midterm: 30%
Final: 30%

Class Participation is an indispensable, integral, and mandatory requirement for all students.

Students are expected to attend class regularly and to have completed all assigned readings prior to the date for which they are assigned (see below). Students are expected to participate in class discussions and demonstrate that they have completed the assigned reading. You should make every attempt to attend each class. If you do miss a class you must get the notes and any assignments from a classmate.

Your class participation grade will be a combination of your contributions to the class discussions and your attendance.

The Midterm and Final will be based on class lectures; class discussions and the reading. Both examinations will be a combination of multiple choice and essay type questions.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:

The college's academic integrity policy, which can be found in the college catalogue, will be enforced in this class. Using other students' work or committing plagiarism are considered extremely serious offenses that can result in a tarnished official record or even expulsion from the university. Students are encouraged to read UMD's plagiarism policy and follow it. If you are in doubt about what might constitute plagiarism in an assignment, please check with me or you can refer to an article by the UMD Library, Avoiding Plagiarism.

Students with disabilities requesting accommodations in the class are encouraged to contact the Disabled Students Services Office, as soon as possible to better ensure that such accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion. Special accommodations will be made upon notification from that office that they are required. The Disabled Student Services assists students with physical and learning disabilities by providing support and services to accomplish academic success. All concerns regarding a student's request for assistance or services must be directed to Carole Johnson, Director of the Disabled Student Services, at x8711. The Office of Disabled Student Services is open from 7:00 AM to 3:30 p.m. daily; evening appointments can be arranged on request. If you are in need of any accommodations for events, classes or other University related programs or services, please contact the DSS office to make arrangements. The office is located in the basement of Group I, Room 016, 508-999-8711.

Assigned readings must be done PRIOR to the date where they appear. The schedule outlined below represents my intended timetable, but adjustments may be made during the semester.

Students should take notes on their readings. There will be times during the semester where we will fall behind the schedule. It is your responsibility to review your notes and the readings before each class. You must be prepared each and every class.