These resources are intended to help teachers, pastors or youth/campus ministers lead students in age-appropriate discussions about the death penalty. The Catholic Mobilizing Network welcomes educator feedback on these materials, as well as submission of self-created lesson plans for consideration for inclusion in this section.
Junior High School
Dead Man Walking One-Act Play
The Catholic Mobilizing Network and the Dead Man Walking School Theatre Project are proud to offer a special one-act play of Dead Man Walking to church communities who can join the growing number of people of faith who are exploring the religious, moral and ethical dimensions of capital punishment in the United States. Young adults, religious education classes, or other parish groups who care to join Sister Helen Prejean on her journey to expand the discourse on social justice and human rights can perform the play. E-mail CMN for a free copy of the one-act play.
Lesson Plan for Religious Education
This two-part lesson offers an interactive way for students to gain insight about Catholic teachings on the death penalty. (Suitable for junior high and above in a Religious Education setting.)
Online Scavenger Hunt
This resource is designed to allow students to discover how the death penalty is applied in their states and throughout the country – and to evaluate the Catechism and Catholic Social Teaching. It is not intended to persuade students one way or another about the issue, but rather to help them come to a fuller understanding about capital punishment.
High School
Dead Man Walking High School Curriculum
This high school curriculum was developed by Mercy High School in San Francisco as part of an interdisciplinary school-wide program focused on Sister Helen Prejean’s book “Dead Man Walking” as well as the play of the same name.
View a Sample Resource
Read more about the Mercy High School Curriculum
Dead Man Walking One-Act Play
The Catholic Mobilizing Network and the Dead Man Walking School Theatre Project are proud to offer a special one-act play of Dead Man Walking to church communities who can join the growing number of people of faith who are exploring the religious, moral and ethical dimensions of capital punishment in the United States. Young adults, religious education classes, or other parish groups who care to join Sister Helen Prejean on her journey to expand the discourse on social justice and human rights can perform the play. E-mail CMN for a free copy of the one-act play.
Dead Man Walking School Theatre Project
The Dead Man Walking School Theatre Project integrates the power of theatre arts and academic study into the national discourse on the death penalty to replace ignorance, apathy, and cynicism among young people regarding the death penalty with information, introspection, and inspiration. Since the launch of the project in the fall of 2003, more than 170 high schools and colleges across the country have produced the play, conducted academic courses on the death penalty, and brought the issue to life on their campuses through art, music, and public education and action events.
Death Penalty Curriculum for High School Students
This interactive, web-based curriculum from the Death Penalty Information Center offers high school students the opportunity to independently test their knowledge, and learn about the United States justice system and the use of the death penalty.
Educational Guide on Teaching Abolition
The World Coalition Against the Death Penalty published these curriculum guides to assist teachers and faculty members in developing a program of study on the death penalty for high schools and colleges. According to the guides, the World Coalition would like students to “understand the state of the world they are living in: the severity, and sometimes cruelty, but also the beauty of the human rights ideal.”
Lesson Plan for High School
This two-part lesson offers an interactive way for students to gain insight about Catholic teachings on the death penalty. (Suitable for high school in a Catholic School setting.)
Lesson Plan for Religious Education
This two-part lesson offers an interactive way for students to gain insight about Catholic teachings on the death penalty. (Suitable for junior high and above in a Religious Education setting.)
Faith in Action: Scholarship and Awards Competition
The program invites seniors from faith-based San Diego-area high schools to write and deliver sermons or spiritual reflections that would encourage members of their own religious communities to oppose capital punishment. It is included as a template for other schools around the country to use in creating similar programs. As you read, consider doing it for… MORE
Online Scavenger Hunt
This resource is designed to allow students to discover how the death penalty is applied in their states and throughout the country – and to evaluate the Catechism and Catholic Social Teaching. It is not intended to persuade students one way or another about the issue, but rather to help them come to a fuller understanding about capital punishment.
College
Capital Punishment in Context: A Resource for College Courses
This website explores this complex subject through the reading of actual cases. The narratives are meant to serve as a catalyst to broader discussion and research into the issues that underlie these cases. (Note: Login is not required but you may register to receive free access to supplemental materials.)
Dead Man Walking School Theatre Project
The Dead Man Walking School Theatre Project integrates the power of theatre arts and academic study into the national discourse on the death penalty to replace ignorance, apathy, and cynicism among young people regarding the death penalty with information, introspection, and inspiration. Since the launch of the project in the fall of 2003, more than 170 high schools and colleges across the country have produced the play, conducted academic courses on the death penalty, and brought the issue to life on their campuses through art, music, and public education and action events.
Educational Guide on Teaching Abolition
The World Coalition Against the Death Penalty published these curriculum guides to assist teachers and faculty members in developing a program of study on the death penalty for high schools and colleges. According to the guides, the World Coalition would like students to “understand the state of the world they are living in: the severity, and sometimes cruelty, but also the beauty of the human rights ideal.”
Lesson Plan for Religious Education
This two-part lesson offers an interactive way for students to gain insight about Catholic teachings on the death penalty. (Suitable for junior high and above in a Religious Education setting.)
Online Scavenger Hunt
This resource is designed to allow students to discover how the death penalty is applied in their states and throughout the country – and to evaluate the Catechism and Catholic Social Teaching. It is not intended to persuade students one way or another about the issue, but rather to help them come to a fuller understanding about capital punishment.
Adult Education
Death Penalty Resources for Communities of Faith
Some religious leaders requested more information to address this issue within their communities. To meet this need, the Death Penalty Information Center has developed a brochure and CD-ROM to assist religious groups in discussing one of the timeliest issues in America today. The resources on the CD-ROM do not take a moral stance on the death penalty. Instead, they present the critical issues inherent in the administration of capital punishment. The materials are presented in a way that is adaptable to many different faith communities. If you are interested in ordering these materials, or would like more information about the resource, please email us.
Educational Guide on Teaching Abolition
The World Coalition Against the Death Penalty published these curriculum guides to assist teachers and faculty members in developing a program of study on the death penalty for high schools and colleges. According to the guides, the World Coalition would like students to “understand the state of the world they are living in: the severity, and sometimes cruelty, but also the beauty of the human rights ideal.”