The Death of Innocents: An Eyewitness Account of Wrongful Executions by Sister Helen Prejean
The Robert D. Clark Honors College is pleased to present the Common Reading program’s second book: Sister Helen Prejean’s The Death of Innocents. This autobiographical work explores the complexities of capital punishment in America through Sister Helen’s work as a spiritual adviser to prisoners on Death Row. This book explores the complex questions that arise when confronting crime, social inequalities, victim rights, religion, human rights, and ethics. The ideas in the book are designed for discussion: they tell us stories, and ask us to think in new ways about the nature of our society.
We have created an online forum to enable dialogue between upperclassmen, faculty, researchers in the field of global ethics, and you. Take this opportunity to debate and discuss issues presented in this book. Access the discussion forum here. Sister Helen will visit the University of Oregon the week of October 15th, and her agenda will include events for CHC students and the broader campus community!
The Robert D. Clark Honors College values debate in the public space: discussion trumps agreement. Capital punishment is a complicated issue that brings up strong emotions. Both faculty and students respect diverse opinions, and we encourage you to express yourself and your views on some of the issues raised in this book.
By New Student Orientation (NSO) on Tuesday, September 20, 2011, the CHC expects their incoming students to have finished the book, contributed to the online forum, and to arrive prepared to discuss the book. We also recommend that you pay attention to national news that might have to do with the book’s topics. We look forward to thoughtful and provocative discussion and wish you happy reading!
The Honors College invites other University of Oregon students, staff, and faculty to participate in the common reading and contribute to the discussion forum.