SOC 375 University of Wisconsin Whitewater Just Mercy Restorative Justice Essay

 

 

Just Mercy paper guidelines

Papers should be between 2-3 pages single-spaced; use APA citations from at least three other the course sources to apply a theoretical analysis to cases outlined in the book. Quote sparingly. Personal reflection on the book can be offered as part of the conclusion. The analysis should focus on at least two or three themes/topics/issues raised by Stevenson. Of course, everyone should discuss the central case of Walter McMillian and how it illustrates the concept of just mercy.

Comment on these last thoughts (Epilogue after Walter’s passing…)

• Walter taught Stevenson that mercy is just when it is freely given and rooted in hopefulness. Mercy is most empowering, liberating, and transformative when it is directed at the undeserving.
• The death penalty is not about whether people deserve to die for the crimes they commit. The real question of capital punishment in this country is, do we deserve to kill?

Additionally choose from among themes, such as:

death penalty for juveniles; updates re: lethal drugs

prosecutorial misconduct, corruption, wrongful conviction

victim’s rights: how/why are some victims more protected and valued than others?

racism/classism (including how Stevenson himself faced discrimination)

parallels with recent cases

mental illness, incarceration and deinstitutionalization