Course description

This course examines different attempts to justify punishment & to fit punishment to the crime. It examines the main proposals for justifying the institutions of punishment: (1) to punish moral wickedness; (2) to deter offenders; and (3) to treat & reform the offender. It also examines the different bases for determining the appropriate amounts of punishment, and for making punishment fit the crime. The institution of punishment includes various excuses, like diminished responsibility, & the rationale for these excuses will be explored & evaluated. Other topics to be discussed include capital punishment, mental illness and dangerous offenders.

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