Objective: Use examples from the movie to explain the politics of Texas’ justice system in application of criminal proceedings and the nature of corrections policy to illustrate meaning of the statement “lock em up” mentality; and create an argument supporting rehabilitation or incarceration as the best correctional policy approach to dealing with criminals in Texas.

Objective: Use examples from the movie to explain the politics of Texas’ justice system in application of criminal proceedings and the nature of corrections policy to illustrate meaning of the statement “lock em up” mentality; and create an argument supporting rehabilitation or incarceration as the best correctional policy approach to dealing with criminals in Texas.

Instructions: 

When writing your essay, respond to the prompt thoroughly, and completely. Essays must be a minimum of 1.5 page in length, double spaced, 1 inch margins, 12 point font, and written in Times New Roman.

A bibliography, references or works cited page, must accompany submission. Bibliographies should be uploaded, as a single file, along with your 1.5 page essay. This page does not count towards the minimum length, of the paper. When completing your essay, you must also include  in-text citations for any work that is directly quoted or paraphrased.   Failure to properly, or consistently cite paraphrased or directly quoted  work, from the original work, thoughts and/or ideas of someone, other than your own, (according to 1 of the 3 approved formats…MLA, APA, or Chicago) will result in an automatic 0, with no make-up work being accepted.  For assistance with proper citation formatting, use the easybib website. Access this website, by clicking HERE (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

Your response should be your own original thoughts and analysis.  Research and resources should be incorporated with scholarly application. I.e. used as examples or evidence to support your analysis. Make sure to use complete sentences, and proper grammar. Your response to the prompt should focus on analyzing the information you gathered. Incorporate the information you gathered by using it to provide examples and support for your response.

“A” papers should include a critical analysis of the video’s by applying at least 1 example from each film to support your position.

PART 1: Video Access and Viewing 

The video you are required to watch, in order to complete this assignment is 50 minute in length.  The video is over the Todd Willingham Case. The video is publicly accessible through PBS Frontline’s official website.  You can access the video one of two ways, following the instructions provided below

1. Click the link below, or copy and paste the link , into a new tab, in your internet browser.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/death-by-fire/   OR   (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. Death Row – The Final 24 Hours (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.  Minimize Video

PART 2: Video Reflection, Analysis and Submission Instructions  Write a reflective analysis of crime, justice and punishment under application of the Death Penalty, in Texas, based on application of what you learned from the Todd Willingham Case Video. OR What you think about the death penalty after watching the video on the Last 24 Hours on Death Row

Write an essay that addresses each of prompt’s 2 components,Issue Position and Explanation and Application, outlined below

Issue Position:

First, Identify whether you are for, or against use of the death penalty as a form of criminal punishment (there is NO right or wrong answer). Successful completion of this assignment, and it’s learning objective, require your compliance in identification or your personal position, and perspective, towards the issue of the “death penalty”.  Responses are confidential and will be graded objectively, based on student’s independent, reflective analysis of their own individual personal perspectives,  and application of the information.

Explanation and Application

Then, Discuss, and describe, the nature of political debate, surrounding the issue of the death penalty, and explain how your personal position toward the issue has changed or been reinforced, with regard to application to crime, punishment and justice in Texas, based on what you learned from the movie. 

  *** DISCLAIMER: These movies do talk about or depict the death penalty… No one is executed in the movie it is just for showing how each method is executed NO ONE actually dies in the video you are about to watch***