To describe the empirical findings of various subfields in sociology. Empirical Quantitative Data.
Click on the following link to access the Death Penalty Information Fact Sheet:
http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/documents/FactSheet.pdf
Review the fact sheet to answer the following discussion questions:
How does the racial composition of American society (white-77%, Black-13%, Hispanic-17%) compare to the
racial composition of Death Row inmates?
How does each region in the United States compare regarding the number of executions? What social factor or
social factors could be used to explain why certain geographic regions of society have higher execution rates?
What variable or social factor is missing from the Death Penalty Information Online fact sheet that could
explain the disproportionate representation of African-Americans on death row? Why is this variable important
in understanding the broader picture of death row incarceration?
Compare the support for a life sentence without parole with the support for the death penalty. Were you
surprised? Why?
Which theoretical perspective (structural-functionalist, symbolic-interactionist, conflict, or feminist) discussed in
chapter seven (deviance), could you use to explain the disparity of African-Americans, minorities, and poor
people on death row? Why?
Now view the video clip Black Death in Dixie: Racism and the death penalty in the United States. The link for
this video clip can be accessed by going to my lecture notes on Chapter Seven (Deviance) in Unit three’s
learning module. The video link can be found at the bottom of the very last page of chapter seven (deviance)
lecture notes. Click on the link that is titled “Video Black Death in Dixie…”
After you view the clip Black Death in Dixie: Racism and the death penalty in the United States, please answer
the following questions: https://digital-films-com.ezproxy.com.edu/p_ViewVideo.aspx?xtid=39112
Do you think that poverty and not race is the primary reason for the racial disparity of African-Americans in the
criminal justice system? Why? Please include supporting examples from the video or film to support your view.
In chapter eight (social stratification) lecture notes, I will attach I discussed William Julius Wilson’s and Oscar
Lewis’ views on poverty. Which of these two views best explains why poor people are over represented in the
prison system? Why? How does race impact poverty?
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