The U.S. death penalty is primarily applied to murderers for heinous crimes, while at the same time there is evidence of the execution of innocents, as well as unequal punishments such as life without parole (LWOP). How can the United States execute when there is a chance for error or when some are punished differently from others? This course examines U.S. capital punishment through multiple lenses including case law, guilt/innocence, religion, human rights, morality, and international perspectives. The course considers diverse perspectives of the many key actors involved in capital punishment, including policy makers, lawyers, judges, witnesses, families, non-profit organizations, the accused, and the convicted. Course content is delivered through texts, video, site visits, and speakers.