Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2025 - PSYC 376 OL02

Selected Topics in Experimental Psychology and Law (3)

Children and the Law

Class Number: 7501

Delivery Method: Online

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Online

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Oct 17, 2025
    Fri, 4:30–6:00 p.m.
    Burnaby

    Dec 12, 2025
    Fri, 3:30–5:00 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Instructor:

    Deb Connolly
    debc@sfu.ca
    Office: Zoom
    Office Hours: Mondays 10am to 11am

  • Prerequisites:

    PSYC 201W and PSYC 268. Recommended: PSYC 210.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

The roles of experimental developmental, cognitive, and social psychology in the understanding of behaviour and perceptions of individuals in legal contexts. Topics may include eyewitness testimony, children and the law, interviewing, deception detection, wrongful convictions, interrogations and false confessions, and forensic science. Course can be repeated for credit when taught under a different topic.

COURSE DETAILS:

Only in the past 30 years or so have very young children been admitted as witnesses in criminal court. Prior to that, there was an assumption that children are inherently unreliable witnesses and could not be trusted to provide accurate testimony. Psychological research has discredited this unqualified assumption. Today, even very young children are involved in the criminal legal system. In the first seven units of this course, students will learn about pretrial issues related to children’s allegations of maltreatment, from disclosure to interviewing children in a forensic context. In the final six units, students will learn about the challenges associated with in-court testimony and accommodations that have been put in place encourage a full and accurate report from children.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

After taking this course, you will be able to describe why young children were functionally barred from providing testimony in criminal court, when things began to change, and how courts currently view child witnesses and accommodate their unique needs. You will understand children’s strengths and their weaknesses as witnesses, and you will learn how to interact with children to obtain the best possible evidence. You will be able to discuss courtroom procedure when children testify in criminal court and explain the psychological evidence that relates to those issues.

Grading

  • Writing Assignments: 15%
  • Weekly Quizzes: 20%
  • Mid-Term Exam: 30%
  • Final Exam: 35%

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

All materials are provided free of charge through Canvas

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.