SMNR: Mercy

Semester: Spring 2021
Course ID: 397S
Credit Hours: 3
Unique: 29760

Course Information

Course Type: Seminar
Grading Method: Pass/Fail Not Allowed

Registration Information

Upperclass-only elective

Meeting Times

Day	Time	Location
THU	1:35 - 3:33 pm	ONLINE

Evaluation Method

Type	Date	Time	Location
Paper

Description

This course will be taught entirely online via Zoom.

In this Course, we will explore the concept of "mercy," paritcularly insofar as it refers to forgiveness and reduced punishment effectuated by law. We will cover moral theories of mercy, including the basic tenstion between mercy and retributive justice. We will also study mercy-giving institutions in American law, including prosecutors, judges, juries, and various clemency arrangements. Among other things, there will be units on mass incarceration, the death penalty, and youth.

Textbooks ( * denotes required )

Crossed Over : A Murder, a Memoir *

Lowry, Beverly

Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group
ISBN: 978-0-375-71380-4

Just Mercy : A Story of Justice and Redemption *

Stevenson, Bryan

Random House Publishing Group
ISBN: 978-0-8129-8496-5

Instructors

Kovarsky, Lee