SMNR: Jury in Theory & Practice

Semester: Spring 2014
Course ID: 397S
Credit Hours: 3
Unique: 30120

Course Information

Course Type: Seminar

Registration Information

Upperclass-only elective

Meeting Times

Day	Time	Location
WED	3:45 - 5:35 pm	JON 6.257

Evaluation Method

Type	Date	Time	Location
Paper

Description

This seminar explores issues raised by the jury as an institution of democratic justice. Issues to be discussed include: what does it mean for the jury to be a "representative" body of the community? Do jurors divide along racial, gender, and ethnic lines? Is there any "science" in scientific jury selection? Do peremptory challenges serve valid purposes or should they be abolished? Should jurors be permitted to nullify the law in order to render a verdict according to conscience? Do jurors understand and follow their instructions? Why do we require criminal juries to reach unanimous verdicts? Special attention will be given to jury selection and deliberation in death penalty trials.

Textbooks ( * denotes required )

A Crime of Self Defense *

Fletcher, George

Chicago
ISBN: 0-226-25334-1

Billy Budd *

Melville, Herman

Signet
ISBN: 97800451526878

We, the Jury *

Abramson, Jeffrey

Harvard
ISBN: 0-674-00430-2

Instructors

Abramson, Jeffrey B