Title: Exploring the Death Penalty and Just/Unjust Punishment

Objective: To engage students in a critical discussion about the death penalty and the concept of just and unjust punishment.

Duration: 1 hour

Task 1: Warm-up (5 minutes) - Begin the lesson by asking students to write down their initial thoughts and opinions on the death penalty. Encourage them to consider both the pros and cons. - After a few minutes, ask a few volunteers to share their thoughts with the class.

Task 2: Introduction to the Death Penalty (10 minutes) - Provide a brief overview of the death penalty, including its historical context and current status in different countries. - Discuss the various methods of execution used in different jurisdictions. - Present statistical data on the number of countries that still practice the death penalty and the number of executions carried out annually.

Task 3: Case Study Analysis (15 minutes) - Divide the class into small groups and provide each group with a case study related to the death penalty. You can use real-life cases or hypothetical scenarios. - Instruct the groups to analyze the case study and discuss whether they believe the punishment was just or unjust. They should consider factors such as the severity of the crime, the evidence presented, and any potential biases or flaws in the legal system. - After the discussion, ask each group to present their findings and reasoning to the class.

Task 4: Ethical Considerations (15 minutes) - Engage the students in a discussion about the ethical implications of the death penalty. Encourage them to consider questions such as: - Is it morally justifiable to take a person’s life as punishment for a crime? - What are the potential risks of wrongful convictions and how do they impact the death penalty? - How does the death penalty align with principles of human rights and dignity?

Task 5: Perspectives and Debate (15 minutes) - Divide the class into two groups: one in favor of the death penalty and one against it. - Assign each group to prepare arguments supporting their respective positions. - Conduct a structured debate, allowing each group to present their arguments and counter-arguments. - Encourage students to respectfully challenge each other’s viewpoints and engage in critical thinking.

Task 6: Reflection and Conclusion (5 minutes) - Ask students to reflect on their initial thoughts and opinions about the death penalty from the beginning of the lesson. - Have them write a short paragraph summarizing any changes or new insights they have gained throughout the lesson. - Conclude the lesson by summarizing the main points discussed and emphasizing the importance of critical thinking when examining complex issues like the death penalty.

Note: It is crucial to create a safe and respectful environment for students to express their opinions. Remind them to be considerate of others’ perspectives and to engage in constructive dialogue throughout the lesson.