PSYC 349 – Forensic Psychology

Description
The course offers an introduction to the field of Forensic Psychology, a fast developing branch of psychology with a wide range of opportunities for practical application. The course shows how forensic psychologists are required in legal proceedings regarding civile, juvenile and criminal courts. Topics of the course include: juveniles and delinquency, violent crime and its offenders. Students are introduced to investigative psychology through exercises in criminal and geographical profiling. Students get hands-on experience on consulting with courts by numerous case studies inserted in the class lectures. Special focus is dedicated to investigative psychology and its use in the legal field. Students thus receive insights into new challenges in this field as society and its laws change. During the course students will participate in field trips as indicated during the course or to guest lectures (TBA). The course uses PPT presentations, readings, class discussion, role playing, and short videos.

Objectives

Course descriptions may be subject to occasional minor modifications at the discretion of the instructor

After completing the course, students should be able to
1. Describe historical developments related to the interface between psychology and the law.
2. Cite and discuss research pertaining to psychological assessment and intervention in the criminal and civil justice system.
3. Articulate and discuss methods and procedures used by forensic psychologists involved with the criminal and civil justice systems.

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