TEACHING THE DEATH PENALTY IN CIVICS CLASSROOM WITH 'JUST MERCY'

This article offers an instructive proposition in using the Destin Daniel Cretton’s film ‘Just Mercy’ (2019) to teach about the death penalty, a topic that has produced endless debate not only in the framework of prisons, prisoners and punishment but in the legal arena - about the legitimacy of death penalty, thus making it an exciting topic in civic education. It is largely recognized that films can aid students in the illustration of contentious topics. They can be powerful and practical instruments if used carefully and appropriately. In this day and age, students are used to learning through media like television and films. Teachers should be mindful of the new visual incentive even though books and text are still crucial for learning. Students are familiar to seeing films in their daily life. Will the film take the place of the book? Not ever. However, using a film can improve the learning environment by putting the student in a familiar setting.