Running head: Capital punishment debate Capital punishment debate Capital punishment debate University Student Id Course Date Introduction For a long period of time, capital punishment has been viewed to be part of the human culture. The importance of capital punishment is that it deters people from committing perilous crimes and also the easiest way of liberating the public from the dangerous lawbreakers (Cohen-Cole, et al., 2008). Currently, the majority of the individuals are still confused if capital punishment is appropriate to form part of the criminal justice system. Even though some of the Christians believe that this issue is clarified in the bible, some of them think the Old Testament law was replaced by the New Testament ethic of love. This paper explores capital punishment with both arguments for and against being discussed to support the claim. Background For several centuries, the death penalty has been incorporated in the criminal justice system of the United States. Capital punishment has been viewed to be a controversial aspect. In 33 states, the death penalty was legalized but in 19 states it was abolished (Phillips, 2009). The criminal justice system of America is usually based on aspects of fairness, integrity, and equality whereby all the crime offenders are treated equally. For the case of heinous crimes, the criminals deserve capital punishment. However, the death penalty is viewed to violate the 8th amendment because it puts restrictions on excessive fines (Dardis, et al., 2008). Currently, the issue of capital punishment is still being debated. The execution methods included beheading, beating, burning, drowning and hanging. More cruel methods were impalement, boiling, and crucifixion. Capital punishment is highly supported by numerous verses found in the Old Testament. However, there are several arguments which are against the death penalty. Majority of the Christians do not actually believe that capital punishment was initially witnessed in God`s acts after the Ark was disembarked by Noah. Apart from the creatures which were on the Ark, all other animals and human beings were eradicated by God. As a result of the violence which was witnessed in the entire world, God found it important to start a new human race using Noah`s family. Therefore, God put capital punishment into action by beginning a new civilization (Phillips, 2009). In addition, capital punishment was used by God in dealing with the sins committed by the Israelites. In general, God Himself engaged in capital punishment either directly or indirectly as a way of disciplining those Israelites who endangered Israel. Arguments against Capital punishment Capital punishment is a miscarriage of justice In the case of the wrongful execution, the executed innocent individual cannot be unexecuted. Therefore, through capital punishment, justice can b.

1. Running head: Capital punishment debate
Capital punishment debate
Capital punishment debate
University
Student
Id
Course
Date
Introduction
For a long period of time, capital punishment has been viewed
to be part of the human culture. The importance of capital
punishment is that it deters people from committing perilous
crimes and also the easiest way of liberating the public from the
dangerous lawbreakers (Cohen-Cole, et al., 2008). Currently,
the majority of the individuals are still confused if capital
punishment is appropriate to form part of the criminal justice
system. Even though some of the Christians believe that this
issue is clarified in the bible, some of them think the Old
Testament law was replaced by the New Testament ethic of
love. This paper explores capital punishment with both
arguments for and against being discussed to support the claim.
Background
For several centuries, the death penalty has been incorporated in
the criminal justice system of the United States. Capital
punishment has been viewed to be a controversial aspect. In 33

2. states, the death penalty was legalized but in 19 states it was
abolished (Phillips, 2009). The criminal justice system of
America is usually based on aspects of fairness, integrity, and
equality whereby all the crime offenders are treated equally. For
the case of heinous crimes, the criminals deserve capital
punishment. However, the death penalty is viewed to violate the
8th amendment because it puts restrictions on excessive fines
(Dardis, et al., 2008). Currently, the issue of capital punishment
is still being debated. The execution methods included
beheading, beating, burning, drowning and hanging. More cruel
methods were impalement, boiling, and crucifixion.
Capital punishment is highly supported by numerous verses
found in the Old Testament. However, there are several
arguments which are against the death penalty. Majority of the
Christians do not actually believe that capital punishment was
initially witnessed in God`s acts after the Ark was disembarked
by Noah. Apart from the creatures which were on the Ark, all
other animals and human beings were eradicated by God. As a
result of the violence which was witnessed in the entire world,
God found it important to start a new human race using Noah`s
family. Therefore, God put capital punishment into action by
beginning a new civilization (Phillips, 2009). In addition,
capital punishment was used by God in dealing with the sins
committed by the Israelites. In general, God Himself engaged in
capital punishment either directly or indirectly as a way of
disciplining those Israelites who endangered Israel.
Arguments against Capital punishment
Capital punishment is a miscarriage of justice
In the case of the wrongful execution, the executed innocent
individual cannot be unexecuted. Therefore, through capital
punishment, justice can be miscarried in sometimes (Brugger,
2014). However, for the case of wrongful imprisonment, the
innocent person who had been convicted can be released and
then compensated. Thus, the death penalty is not an appropriate
method of punishing criminals.
Capital punishment gives the state too much power

3. In the year 2016, the three states which executed a large number
of offenders were Saudi Arabia, Iran, and China. The main
reason as to why the majority of the authoritarian regimes make
use of the capital punishment is that it is perceived to be the
ultimate method of controlling a state (Dardis, et al., 2008).
Therefore, the death penalty provides a state with a lot of power
hence the political dissidents may take advantage of this.
Killing is wrong
Even though committing a heinous crime is wrong, it is still a
wrongful action to subject the crime offender into capital
punishment. It is believed to be unethical to terminate the life
of a certain person regardless of whether it is in accordance
with effecting justice (Brugger, 2014). Thus, the law should
protect the right of individuals to live inclusive of the
criminals. Other forms of punishment should be improvised
instead of capital punishment.
Arguments in support of Capital punishment
Capital punishment enhances the delivery of justice
Many people believe that tit for tat is a fair game. The crime
offenders who commit heinous crimes like murder should be
subjected to the death penalty. According to Cohen-Cole, et al.
(2008), there is no need for allowing a murderer to live yet he
or she has killed another person. Majority of the individuals
believe that murderers do not deserve the right to live.
Therefore, such kind of criminals should be subjected to lawful
execution.
Capital punishment helps in crime deterrence
Through capital punishment, human lives can be saved. This is
because the murderers would start fearing the dire
consequences, they would suffer in case they kill an individual
(Unnever, Cullen, and Jonson, 2008). Importantly, severe
punishments would decrease the rates of violent crimes.
Capital punishment prevents future crime and ensures fairness
The affected parties can feel satisfied that justice was delivered
as the person who committed a crime is killed. According to
Phillips (2009), through capital punishment, the victim`s family

4. can be provided with closure as they get assured that, the
offender who killed their family member was not set free but
faced severe punishment.
Common Grounds
Some of the reason as to why the death penalty should be
accepted is that it saves the government money, minimizes the
rates of homicide and saves lives. Capital punishment can save
lives since it reduces the rates of crime acts thus making the
society to be safer. The deterrence theory can be used to explain
the impact of capital punishment on murder rates (Cohen-Cole,
et al., 2008). This theory states that making punishment to be
more severe can make people avoid indulging themselves in
criminal acts. An individual who commits criminal acts such as
raping or killing deserves to be subjected to capital punishment.
Conclusion
The majority of the Americans support capital punishment even
though some of the individuals in America perceive death
penalty as unacceptable. For the case of individuals who
support it argues that the death penalty can assist in lowering
crime rates in the future. On the other hand, people who oppose
it hold that capital punishment is cruel and sometimes innocent
individuals may be put into death by mistake for crimes which
they never committed. Capital punishment needs to be
supported in order to help in addressing the increased cases of
crime and deter others from committing similar crimes.
Annotated Bibliography
Brugger, E. C. (2014). Capital punishment and Roman Catholic
moral tradition.

5. This source explores the views of catholic church towards
capital punishment. According to the author of the source,
catholic church is against death penalty. This source is relevant
as it provides arguments against the capital punishment as it is
considered unjust and unethical to kill.
Cohen-Cole, E., Durlauf, S., Fagan, J., & Nagin, D. (2008).
Model uncertainty and the deterrent effect of capital
punishment. American Law and Economics Review, 11(2), 335-
369.
This article explores the role of capital punishment in deterring
crime. According to the author, death penalty helps in deterring
crime as other criminals can be scared though the
implementation of capital punishment. This source is relevant
because it provides the necessary information that provides
arguments supporting capital punishment.
Dardis, F. E., Baumgartner, F. R., Boydstun, A. E., De Boef, S.,
& Shen, F. (2008). Media framing of capital punishment and its
impact on individuals' cognitive responses. Mass
Communication & Society, 11(2), 115-140.
The authors of this sources explored the effects that capital
punishment has in the society. According to the authors, people
in the society respond differently to capital punishment as some
support it while others don’t. this source is relevant as it helps
in providing views of different people concerning capital
punishment in terms of its benefits and limitations.
Phillips, S. (2009). Status disparities in the capital of capital
punishment. Law & society review, 43(4), 807-838.
This source explores the connection between social status with
social status. According to the authors, the decision of attorney
in capital punishment has no any relationship with the social
status. This source is relevant as it provides the background
information concerning the fairness that is brought by the
capital punishment in murder cases.
Unnever, J. D., Cullen, F. T., & Jonson, C. L. (2008). Race,
racism, and support for capital punishment. Crime and
Justice, 37(1), 45-96.

6. This journal explores the difference in the opinions concerning
capital punishment between the whites and blacks. According to
the authors, whites are likely to support capital punishment
while blacks are against capital punishment. This source is
relevant to the research because it provides information
concerning the contribution of race in supporting or opposing
death penalty.
Course Organization Worksheet
1 Students will examine and develop a greater awareness of his
or her behaviors, preconceptions through health related
discussions
2 Students describe the six dimensions of wellness
3 Students develop the significance of psychological health and
common psychological disorders
4 Students realize the consequences of stress and ways to
manage it.
5 Students define the basic functions of the six nutrients.
6 Students identify how lifestyle behaviors relate to his or her
fitness.
7 Students understand energy balance and the basics of effective
weight management.
8 Students interpret the ramifications of substance abuse and
dependence.
9 Students understand the potential health effects of alcohol and

7. tobacco.
10 Students identify the basic knowledge of sexual functioning,
contraceptive choices, and reproduction.
11 Students recognize pathogens that cause sexually transmitted
infections (STIs).
12 Students list common risk factors for the major diseases
affecting society, including cancer and coronary heart
disease.
13 The student will have an understanding of stress and the
GAS response
Week/Module
Number Topics to be Covered during This class
All assignments due by 10:00pm on Sunday (Late
assignments are not acceptable, make sure to be
familiar on how to submit assignments)
Meets These
Course-level
Objectives
1 Week of Jan 14
Introduce Yourself-
Syllabus Quiz -10 points
1
2 Week of Jan 21
Read Chapter 1 Health in the 21st Century
Quiz on Chapter 1

8. Review Power point Chapter 1
1
3 Week of Jan 28
Read Chapter 2 Psychological Health
Quiz Chapter 2
6
4 Week of Feb 4
Read Chapter 3 Stress Management Activity Review
Quiz chapter 3 - 10 points
4
5 Week of Feb 11
Chapter 4
Chapter 4 Sleep, Your Body, and Your Mind
Test 1 (Chapter 1, 2,3) 50 points Review Powerpoint
Presentation Discussion Do you suffer from sleep?
Quiz Chapter 4
1
6 Week of Feb 18
Chapter 5 Nutrition Review Powerpoint Presentation
Chapter 5 Assignments online Video Khan Academy (Submit
Complete Paragraph)

9. 7
7 Week of Feb 25
Chapter 6 Physical Activity for Fitness and Health
How do you find to get enough Exercise
Quiz Chapter 6
7
8 Week of March 4
Chapter 7 Body Image, Body Weight Chapter
Quiz Chapter
Discussion
1,3
9 Week of March 11
Test #2 (Chapters 5,6,7) – 50 points
Read Chapter 8 Addictions and Drug Use Read Chapter 8
Drug Use and Abuse
Chapter 8 Exercise Video
1,3,8
Spring Recess March 18-24 (NO Homework
10 Week of March 25
Chapter 9 Alcohol and Tobacco Use and Abuse
Chapter 9 Video on Nicotine Patches
Chapter 9 Quiz- 10 points
Extra Credit (Midway Feedback for class) 1 Paragraph 10
points

10. 1,8
11 Week of April 1
Test 3 (Chapters 8 and 9) 50 points
Read Chapter 10 Social Relationships and Communications
Chapter 10 Quiz
Chapter 10 Discussion
1
12 Week of April 8
Chapter 11 Sexuality Contraception, and Reproductive
Choices Chapter 11 Quiz 10 points Chapter 11 Discussion
10
13 Week of April 15
Chapter 12 Preventing Infectious Diseases and Sexually
Transmitted Infections Quiz- 10 points Activity-View Video
1
14 Week of April 22
Chapter 13 Diabetes, Cardiovascular
Test 4 (Chapters10,11, 12) 50
1

11. 15
Week of April 29
Chapter 14Consumer Health Chapter 14 Quiz Family History
Read Chapter 14 Discussion on Video
1
16
Week of May 6
Chapter 15 Personal Safety and injury Prevention Read online
article “Preventing Injury during your workout” Chapter 15
Review Chapter 15 Quiz
1
17 Week of May 13
Test 5 Chapter 13,14,15- 50 points Read Chapter 16 Your
Environment, Your Health Discussion Chapter 16 Quiz
1
18 Week of May 20 Finals Friday at 10pm

12. Final Presentation Projects 100 points TOTAL-
Nutrition Project 50 points
Final Power Point Presentations 50 points details posted
week of final
1