Watch the documentary ‘Into the Abyss’ (2011, directed by Werner Herzog). Link to watch it at the bottom. Make sure to read the questions first before watching the film and take detailed notes to facilitate writing your assignment.
After watching the documentary, carefully read the following fact sheet regarding the death penalty (based on science and evidence and compiled by a non–partisanNGO). Click on the link below:
https://documents.deathpenaltyinfo.org/pdf/FactSheet.pdf
Write 3-4 pages (no less than 3 and no more than 4 pages) of content (not including cover and references) analyzing and connecting the documentary and class material according to the following (essays will be penalized if submit less than 3 or more than 4 pages, firm):
Guidelines
1. Provide a short summary of the entire documentary (do not use Wikipedia or any other sources because it is plagiarism, do your own summary based on your viewing) then describe (A) what was the evidence used by prosecutors to charge and convict the defendantsdescribed in the film (include all of it); B) Is the evidence enough to convict the defendants beyond reasonable doubt? To earn full credit students must include classmaterial from the course to support your analysis of the evidence. Explicit and detailed responses will receive full credit (half page or less).
2. Based on section VII (Sentencing) of our textbook, a) explain in detail what kind of punishment was applied to each of the two defendants (retribution or utilitarian?). Make sure to cite the theoretical elements from class material of each approach and justify why that is the casein your response to earn credit for this question.
3. Provide an A) analysis of why there were two different sentencing outcomes if both defendants committed the same crime? In other words, why did the two defendants receive two different punishments. Look at the section how do judges decide? (pp. 321-325) to find and discuss arguments regarding your response to this question. You must include ideas and concepts from our textbook to earn full credit for all answers.
4. Next, explain if there are any (A) constitutional issues regarding the death penalty imposed to one of the defendants and (B) why do you think the jury decided to go along and give the death penalty on this case. Apply theories, arguments, and evidence from class material in your analysis.
5. After reading the Fact Sheet on the Death Penalty document attached to these guidelines and based on what we have learned so far in class, A) explain what is your stand on the death penalty (do you support it or not, maybe in some particular circumstances? Explain). There is no right or wrong answer to these questions but be explicit and B) provide at least one example of your arguments to explain why or why not you favor or reject the death penalty.
6. Finally, provide an overall assessment of the criminal case described in the film. What do you think about the trial, sentence, and punishment? Support your analysis with facts and evidence, your opinion itself is not enough without adding class material and critical thinkingarguments.
Format Guidelines
a) Your essay must be typed, using 12-point font, standard margins of 1”, double-spaced, page numbers, no spacebetween paragraphs, include a cover and references page, use academic language. Do not use contractions such we’re, it’s, or he’s, they will be penalized. This is an academic assignment, and the writing style must be academic, avoid slang, and be professional and thorough. Include a cover, but not an abstract or conclusion. Students must give credit to sources according to APA citation style. Do not write “in our textbook…” Instead cite the authors, year of publication, etc. for every material used in your essay.
b) Use bullets or numbers to answer each of the 6questions in an organized manner separating each question into a different paragraph. Do not write the questions again, just answer them straight using numbers/bullets. Only Word Docs or PDF files are allowed (do not use Google docs because it cannot be read by Turnitin). If you do not have Microsoft Office, the university offers it for free to students at this link: https://www.calstatela.edu/ecst/free-software
c) AVOID SLOPPY WORK at all costs, and PROOREADyour final draft to submit a grammatical error-free paper(use the underlying function in your computer to detect grammar mistakes! This is a very short paper DO NOT USE IN-TEXT QUOTATIONS FROM TEXTBOOK OR READINGS, PARAPHRASE INSTEAD. I want to hear your voice. Quotes or in-text citation will be penalized.
d) Essays will be evaluated according to mastery of content, rigor of analysis, critical thinking skills, and quality of writing (see essay rubric below). You must properly cite sources and give credit to all authors(research articles from the end of each section in our textbook were written by different authors than our textbook, so cite them properly). Use APA citation style and be consistent throughout the paper. If not familiar with this style, check out the website below for a quick lesson how to cite:
c) Essays must be submitted on Canvas. No emailed or late papers will be accepted under any circumstances(firm, except when documented according to university guidelines), plan accordingly. Paper will be reviewed electronically using Turnitin software to detect plagiarism or the use of any AI chat GPT. DO NOT PLAGIARIZE OR CHEAT!! It will be detected. Any plagiarism issues equal zero grade and a report to Student Affairs office. If you have taken this class before you cannot submit the same essay from a previous semester because it will be considered plagiarism. Instead, write a new different assignment addressing all questions again. If you have any questions on this, contact me via email.
Do not wait until the due date to begin working onyour essay. Start with enough anticipation so you can develop a critical argument and provide an excellent essay. The link for submission will be available on MondayMat 1st, 2023, at 12:00am until Friday May 5th, 2023, by 11:59pm. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact me. Proofread your assignment by asking someone to read it, if possible. This assignment is worth 15 points.