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Our society has become increasingly violent. Gone are the days where you can leave your doors open and your cars unlocked. Family values and morals are declining. Drug abuse, child abuse, domestic violence, and gangs are on the rise. Guns are almost as easy to get as candy. Children are not safe even at school. Society seems obsessed with sex and violence is glorified in music and movies. It seems some members of society place little value on human life.
With the crime rate increasing, crimes becoming more heinous, and society's killers are becoming younger and younger, the United states which once outlawed capital punishment has brought it back. Some argue that it is justified. What do you say?
The Task
Using the suggested resources, you will have the opportunity to gain a better understanding of the methods used in capital punishment, types of crimes committed by people given the death penalty, and arguments for and against capital punishment. Visit the suggested Internet sites and read accounts of people and events. Complete the following assignments:
Process
1. Determine how you will organize information in your notebook. Record all information and activities throughout the project in this notebook including brainstorming questions, notes from your research, rough drafts of your project tasks, a log of your daily activities, and any other pertinent information.
2. Conduct research on Arizona's capital punishment and answer these questions:
- What is capital punishment?
- Alternatives to capital punishment?
- What type of execution method does Arizona currently use ?
- What is meant by Pro capital punishment?
- What is meant by Con (Anti Capital Punishment)?
- Moratorium means?
- How many people were given capital punishment in Arizona in the last 10 years?
- How many people were given capital punishment in Arizona since 1976?
- For what crimes were they given capital punishment?
- What is the relationship to people given capital punishment to people who commit similar types of crimes?
- Any juveniles given capital punishment?
- The number of women given given capital punishment ?
- Do both genders get capital punishment equally?
- Are all races given capital punishment equally?
- Are all socio economic classes given capital punishment equally?
- Is capital punishment a deterrent to crime?
- Who is most likely to get capital punishment?
- Is it a violation of their constitutional rights?
- What are eight objections to capital punishment?
- Public opinion of capital punishment?
- What are the myths concerning capital punishment?
- What moral concerns are brought up by capital punishment?
- Who decides if a law is constitutional or not?
- What are the procedures for a person given the death penalty?
- Name and address of the governor?
- Are innocent people ever given capital punishment?
- Collect any other important or interesting facts.
3. In your notebook, brainstorm the position and the supporting facts you will use to try and convince the governor of your position.
4. Write your letter to the governor.
5. Rent the movie from the video store entitled "Dead Man Walking."
6. Take notes on the movie especially the final scene. Answer the following questions:
- What did you see?
- What is the convict feeling at the end?
- How does he behave at the end?
- What was the mood?
- How did you feel watching the final scene?
- Did the movie change your position on capital punishment?
- Collect any other pertinent or interesting facts.
7. Write your 3-5 stanza poem.
8. Refer to the Internet links on the film "Dead Man Walking.
9. Write a news release covering Robert Willie Lee's last day. To get a feel for this type of style and format of writing, read a variety of news releases published in newspapers and magazines. Make sure to include :
- What did you see ?
- What did you hear?
- Describe the family visit.
- Include information on his crime.
- Robert Willie Lee's feelings.
- Lee's last words.
- Robert Willie Lee's last meal.
- Include victim's families' reactions.
- Any other interesting and pertinent information.
10. Based on your research, and after watching the film, design a convincing poster that will convey your position about capital punishment.
Resources
The following sites will help you accomplish your tasks are listed below. Many of these sites have links to additional sites. Please visit these sites with your tasks in mind so that you do not get off track by irrelevant links and waste valuable time.
Important Note: Based on the nature of the webquest you may encounter sites which are biased, opinionated, controversial, or objectionable. If you encounter such sites, simply move to a more appropriate site. The author of this webquest is not trying to persuade you one way or another. It is your choice.
Capital Punishment:A Report by Tom Guilmette
Gives the definition of capital punishment, moral concerns, alternative to capital punishment, public opinion, Court decisions, race, gender, and class statistics, Pro and Con capital Punishment, and other facts.
ACLU opposes capital punishment and a brief history.
This document by the Justice For All Organization outlines the procedures necessary in reaching a death sentence.
Chronology of Capital Punishment
Gives a history of capital punishment. Take note of what occurred in Feb.197
The American Civil Liberties Union Abolitionist
A newsletter on the nationwide struggle against the death penalty includes a piece on the death penalty for juveniles, racism and mental retardation and capital punishment, and life on death row among others.
USA Executions as of (June 15,1998)
A summary that lists the number of executions for each state.
American Civil Liberties Union Press Release-Current Press Release
These are current press releases. You may refer to this site when doing your news release.
The Case Against the Death Penalty by Hugo Adam Bedau
This site contains the ACLU's view, a Supreme Court decision, and eight objections to the death penalty. Definitely check this out.
The Death Penalty Briefing by the ACLU
This question and answer briefing answers the questions on crime deterrence, alternative to capital punishment, discrimination, who gets the death penalty, juveniles, mentally retarded, mistaken executions, who deserves to die.
Death Penalty News and Updates
United States executions by state and year. Use this site to answer the question on how many were given the death penalty in Arizona in the last 10 years.
Addresses, Phone Numbers and EMail of State Governors
This is a list of the state governors and their addresses.
A fact sheet that deals with race and the courts rulings on the death penalty.
"Is the Death Penalty Unjust?"
Justices Harry A.Blackman and Antonin Scalia give opposing opinions in ruling on a Texas case. It also answers the question if capital punishment violates constitutional rights.
The Pope's Statement on Capital Punishment
His vitae given in 1995 tells his views. You may use this site to answer the question on moral concerns.
Myths and Facts about the Death Penalty
Put out by Death Penalty Focus of California. This list covers myths and facts concerning the death penalty including cost, deterrence, racism, innocence, randomness, The Bible, victims, other countries, and alternatives.
Christianity and the Death Penalty
This pro capital punishment document cites biblical quotations and New Testament references in support of the death penalty. This document covers moral issues. (Read or skim the first six.)
The Mystery of Execution (Women on Death Row)
This document names two cases of women executed in 1998 including pictures and gives general information on women given capital punishment compared to men.
For your news account on Robert Willie Lee check out these sites from Frontline's Angel On Death Row.
Willie Going To The Chair As A Proud Man
This newspaper account written December 27, 1984 by Jason DeParle of his interview with Robert Willie Lee. Willie details how the crime was committed and speaks of his feelings.
Victim's Parents Watch Willie Die
This newspaper account of Willie's execution gives details of Lee's last day and the execution: Willie Lee's last meal, family visitors, his mood, last words, victim's parents comments, what was going on outside the prison, the details of his crime, etc. By Jason DeParle.
"Victim's parents say execution too painless" by Allan Pursnell and Bill McMahon
These accounts taken from The Advocate details victim's family's comments on lee's execution, details Lee going to the electric chair, what he wore, his last words, witnesses present, how he died, reports from previous interviews of Lee, details his crimes, and the Nun's comments on Lee's last day. Also includes names of men executed in Louisiana that same year and lists their crimes.
Frontline's "Reporter's Notebook"
Louisiana: A Murder, A Movie, And A Wink. These notes by Christopher Buchanon is Taken from The Real Life Cases in "Dead Man Walking." Newspaper accounts of details of the crime, how Lee and Sonnier were given two different sentences for the same crime,and comments Of Lee's wink.
Learning Advice
Check out the history, chronology, and procedures first to get a good understanding of capital punishment before you get into statistics and the pros and cons sites.
Evaluation
Use the following questions to evaluate the quality of your work:
Is your letter to the governor written in proper form and expressing a clear opinion backed up by facts? Is it persuasive and supported with facts?
Is your poster creative, appealing, and professional looking?
Is your poem written in proper form? Does it describe the final scene in "Dead Man Walking? Does it include what you see, how you feel, and what the inmate is feeling?
Is your news release written in proper form? Does it detail the account of Robert Willie Lee's last days? Does it include the details and facts asked for? Is your spelling correct?
Did you put together accurate and up to date information about capital punishment?
Reflection
Was this an effective learning experience for you? Please explain.
How did you decide which information was helpful and accurate?
What would you do differently if you had to do this activity again?
What suggestions would you offer for any students doing this WebQuest in the future?
Conclusion
What have you learned about capital punishment that you did not know before? In what ways has this project affected you and your opinion about capital punishment? Remember, there are two sides to every issue. Check out both sides before forming an opinion.
