The Discussion Board (DB) is part of the core of online learning. Classroom discussion in an online environment requires the active participation of students and the instructor to create robust interaction and dialogue. Every student is expected to create an original response to the open-ended DB question as well as engage in dialogue by responding to posts created by others throughout the week. At the end of each unit, DB participation will be assessed based on both level of engagement and the quality of the contribution to the discussion.

At a minimum, each student will be expected to post an original and thoughtful response to the DB question and contribute to the weekly dialogue by responding to at least two other posts from students. The first contribution must be posted before midnight (Central Time) on Wednesday of each week. Two additional responses are required after Wednesday of each week. Students are highly encouraged to engage on the Discussion Board early and often, as that is the primary way the university tracks class attendance and participation.

The purpose of the Discussion Board is to allow students to learn through sharing ideas and experiences as they relate to course content and the DB question. Because it is not possible to engage in two-way dialogue after a conversation has ended, no posts to the DB will be accepted after the end of each unit.

In late February, 2005, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the death penalty is unconstitutionally cruel when applied to people who committed a felony deserving of the death penalty according to state law before they reached age 18. The Court ruled that the death penalty cannot be applied to people who committed crimes as juveniles because of the lack of maturity, level of intelligence, and decision making that an individual has under the age of 18.

• The ruling’s ethical implications
• The ruling’s effects on the adult sentencing criminal process
• Victim’s rights
• Courts’ rulings pertaining to cases of violent criminal acts

In your own words, please post a response to the Discussion Board and comment on at least two other postings. You will be graded on the quality of your postings.

For assistance with your assignment, please use your text, Web resources, and all course materials.

Unit Materials

• Explain and analyze criminal procedures and the processing of offenders in the criminal justice system
• Explain and critique the various criminological theories as they relate to crime causation
• Identify and define the various components of the criminal justice system