Fall 2017 - PSYC 268 D100

Introduction to Law and Psychology (3)

Class Number: 4292

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 5 – Dec 4, 2017: Mon, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

    Sep 5 – Dec 4, 2017: Wed, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Dec 11, 2017
    Mon, 8:30–11:30 a.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    PSYC 102.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An introduction to the area of law and psychology. The role and influence of psychology in the legal system will be discussed. Topics include: social psychology and law, developmental psychology and law, juvenile justice, experimental psychology and law, mental disability and law.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course is designed to give students an up-to-date survey of law and psychology, also known as forensic psychology. The primary focus will be on issues related to psychology and criminal law, although some issues related to civil law also will be discussed. Topics include: the justice system, pretrial issues such as police investigations/interrogations and confessions, trial issues such as jury decision making and eyewitness testimony, and post trial issues including sentencing and parole. Special populations including children and juveniles in the criminal justice system will be considered as well as mental health issues related to fitness to stand trial and particular defences. The two major objectives of the course are to introduce students to: (a) basic issues in law and psychology, focusing specifically on Canadian law; and (b) the application of theory and methods from clinical and experimental psychology to various legal issues.

Grading

  • Midterm Exam: 35%
  • Final Exam: 45%
  • In class assignments: 10%
  • Quizzes: 10%

REQUIREMENTS:

Minimum Course Requirements: There will be two exams (midterm and a final). Lectures will present new material as well as some material from the text. Exams will cover all lectures and chapters from the text (whether or not the chapter material was reviewed in lecture). The midterm will be two hours long and the final exam will be three hours long. All students must write the midterm and final exams on the scheduled days. 

If it is impossible for you to write the exams on the scheduled days you must see the instructor to discuss alternative arrangements. Alternative arrangements will only be granted in extraordinary circumstances that are beyond your control. A make-up exam may not be the same format as the scheduled exams. It may be a single essay question that may be administered in writing or orally.   Alternative arrangements for exams will be approved in the most extraordinary circumstances only: Two exams on the same day is NOT a sufficient reason to request this accommodation. Students who are unable to meet course requirements (i.e., midterm exams and final exam) on schedule should see the instructor before the date the work is to be completed.  It should only be in rare cases that a student cannot consult with the instructor before the scheduled completion dates. Documentary evidence will be required. Students who, due to illness, request exam accommodation must submit a Health Care Provider Statement to the instructor. The document is available at http://www.sfu.ca/~cmuris/healthcareproviderstatement.pdf  

Small assignments and quizzes will be administered in class throughout the semester. We use iClicker for quizzes so please be sure to have your iClickers with you for each class. No accommodation will be made for failure to complete an in-class assignment. Your grade for the quizzes and assignment will be based on your top eight scores, so you can miss one or two without penalty, or if you take them all, we will drop the two lowest scores.   Equity dictates that these conditions be applied rigorously.  Concessions will only be awarded in extraordinary circumstances.  If such circumstances arise please see me as quickly as possible and I will do my best to accommodate you.

Assignments/quizzes Quizzes and assignments will be administered and completed in class. There will be a total of 9 assignments and quizzes and your grade will be based on the top 7 marks for each. Assignments will be completed in groups and each group member will receive the same grade. There will be no makeups for either assignments or quizzes.
iClickers You can register your iClicker at the first or second tutorial.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Roesch, R., Zapf, P. A., Hart, S. D., & Connolly, D. A. (2014). Forensic psychology and law: A Canadian perspective. Toronto, ON: Wiley.

You will need an iClicker to complete course quizzes and activities, which must be registered by the end of the first week of classes. Bring your iClicker to the tutorial each week.

Registrar Notes:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://students.sfu.ca/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS