Law 6206 Capital Punishment Seminar (Metze)

This LibGuide is designed for use by law students in a Topics in Capital Punishment Seminar course, specifically to help students in the course select research topics related to capital punishment law. This guide includes information on topic selection, running a preemption checks, basic information on how to structure seminar papers, and lists print and electronic resources that may be useful for students to use for their research.

The Capital Punishment studies the death penalty in the United States and Texas, with an overview of the constitutional law governing the death penalty; the history of capital punishment; and current issues surrounding the legal developments, social consequences and moral debate involving implementation of the death penalty. Topics will include an examination of a capital trial from the defense perspective, mitigation, restorative justice and limitations on executions, with an emphasis on the Texas capital murder statutory scheme in theory and application. A substantial writing requirement will be required on a topic of current significance and development within the capital arena.