COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
VALDOSTA STATE UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY AND COUNSELING
SPRING SEMESTER, 2007
PSYC3850 PSYCHOLOGY AND LAW
3 HOURS
REQUIRED TEXTBOOK(S)
Bartol, C.R., & Bartol, A.M. (2004) Psychology and Law: Theory, Research, and Application (3rd edition). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Thomson.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Prerequisite: PSYC2500. An introduction to the intersection between the legal and mental health systems. Emphasis will be placed on how psychologists interact with, and operate within, the legal system.
DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY AND COUNSELING OUTCOMES
1. Students will use the scientific method as a primary basis for engaging in critical thinking and evaluating multiple sources of information. (Outcome #1)
2. Students will communicate and present psychological concepts, principles, and theories clearly and effectively, both in oral and written form. (Outcome #6)
3. Students will use appropriately the technical language of the science of psychology in oral and written communication. (Outcome #7)
4. Students will compare and contrast differing theoretical perspectives within and among the differing disciplines of psychology. (Outcome #10)
COURSE OBJECTIVES
1. Students will define the roles of psychologists in the legal system and issues involved in research and practice in the field. (Principles #1, 6, and 7)
2. Students will articulate the various theoretical approaches to corrections, criminality, and mental illness/insanity (Principles #1, 6, 7, and 10)
3. Students will demonstrate understanding of psycholegal decision-making, including jury and judicial verdicts, and forensic, personality, and employment assessments. (Principles #1, 6, and 7)
4. Students will become familiar with relevant research findings, including eyewitness testimony, jury decision-making, criminal behavior, and clinical prediction. (Principles #1, 6, and 7)
COURSE EVALUATION
Exams: There will be three unit exams (see calendar below for dates and chapters to be covered) for this course. Each exam is worth 100 points. The third of these exams will be administered during the regularly scheduled final exam period. Exams will consist of multiple choice items.
Assignments: You are responsible for completing four of the six offered assignments this term. Each completed assignment will be worth 25 points. If you choose to complete more than four required assignments, the four highest grades will be put toward the overall grade in the course. Keep in mind that the greater depth and effort demonstrated in completing these assignments, the better the grade. Specific assignments are on the final page of this syllabus.
GRADING CRITERIA
Four exams worth 100 points each plus four assignments
worth 25 points each for a total of 500 possible points.
A = 90% = 450-500 points
B = 80% = 400-449 points
C = 70% = 350-399 points
D = 60% = 300-349 points
F = 299 points or less
ATTENDANCE POLICY
VSU policy requires class attendance. Class roll will not be taken, so you are on your honor to attend class. It will be very difficult to do well on exams without class attendance. Changes to class calendar may be announced in class, and you will be expected to be aware of them. In addition, quizzes for extra credit may be given and will not be made up if you miss class.
CELL PHONE/TECHNOLOGY POLICY
You may use a laptop to type notes, but use of laptops for activities unrelated to class activities will result in being asked to leave. Using cell phones to take pictures, text message, or to make phone calls during class is prohibited. Cell phones should be switched off and left in bookbags, purses, or pockets. Having a cell phone on your desk will subject it to being confiscated for the duration of the class. MP3 players or other stereo equipment with earpieces or cell phones should also be switched off and put away during class time.
PLAGIARISM AND CHEATING POLICY:
The full text of this policy is available in the College of Education Dean’s Office, EC room 227. The following penalties will be enforced, as stated in the Policy:
FIRST OFFENSE: The student will earn a “0” on the assignment, test, project, etc.
SECOND OFFENSE: The student will earn the letter grade “F” for the course.
THIRD OFFENSE: The student will earn the letter grade “F” for the course, and further action involving referral of the matter (with documentation) to the appropriate college (university) officials within the administrative structure will be taken. (Please see page 39 of the VSU Student Handbook.)
If you are unclear about what constitutes plagiarism, I recommend you review the following web site:
http://www.valdosta.edu/~cbarnbau/personal/teaching_MISC/plagiarism.htm
INSTRUCTOR
David Wasieleski, Ph.D.
#306 Regional Center for Continuing Education
Office Hours: MWF 9:30-11:00 a.m.; TR 1-3:30pm
Phone: 333-5620
dwasiele@valdosta.edu
http://chiron.valdosta.edu/dtwasieleski
(Available at other times by appointment)
SPECIAL NEEDS STATEMENT
Valdosta State University, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, will make arrangements for students who require special assistance due to a disability. If you require some assistance, do not hesitate to make me aware of it. Students requesting classroom accommodations or modifications because of a documented disability must contact the Access Office for Students with Disabilities located in room 1115 Nevins Hall. The phone numbers are 245-2498 (voice) and 219-1348 (tty).
COURSE SCHEDULE
1/8: Chapter 1: Introduction
1/10: Chapter 1: Introduction
1/12: Chapter 1: Introduction
1/17: Chapter 1: Introduction
1/19: Chapter 2: Psychological Assessment, Testing and the Law; assignment 1 due
1/22: Chapter 2: Psychological Assessment, Testing and the Law
1/24: Chapter 2: Psychological Assessment, Testing and the Law
1/26: Chapter 2: Psychological Assessment, Testing and the Law
1/29: Chapter 3: Psychology and the Courts: An Overview
1/31: Chapter 3: Psychology and the Courts: An Overview
2/2: Chapter 3: Psychology and the Courts: An Overview
2/5: Chapter 3: Psychology and the Courts: An Overview; assignment 2 due
2/7: Exam 1 (Chapters 1-3)
2/9: Chapter 4: Mental Health Law: Competencies and Criminal Responsibility
2/12: Chapter 4: Mental Health Law: Competencies and Criminal Responsibility
2/14: Chapter 4: Mental Health Law: Competencies and Criminal Responsibility
2/16: Chapter 4: Mental Health Law: Competencies and Criminal Responsibility
2/19: Chapter 5: Mental Health Law: Civil Commitment; assignment 3 due
2/21: Chapter 5: Mental Health Law: Civil Commitment
2/23: Chapter 5: Mental Health Law: Civil Commitment
2/26: Chapter 8: The Psychology of Evidence: Eyewitness Testimony
2/28: Chapter 8: The Psychology of Evidence: Eyewitness Testimony
3/2: Chapter 8: The Psychology of Evidence: Eyewitness Testimony
3/5: Chapter 8: The Psychology of Evidence: Eyewitness Testimony
3/7: Exam 2 (Chapters 4, 5, 8)
3/9: Chapter 6: The Psychology of the Jury: Procedural Considerations; assignment 4 due
3/19: Chapter 6: The Psychology of the Jury: Procedural Considerations
3/21: Chapter 6: The Psychology of the Jury: Procedural Considerations
3/23: Chapter 7: The Psychology of the Jury: Jury Decision-Making
3/26: Chapter 7: The Psychology of the Jury: Jury Decision-Making
3/28: Chapter 7: The Psychology of the Jury: Jury Decision-Making
3/30: Chapter 7: The Psychology of the Jury: Jury Decision-Making
4/2: Chapter 10: Correctional Psychology
4/4: Chapter 10: Correctional Psychology
4/6: Chapter 10: Correctional Psychology
4/9: Exam 3 (Chapters 6, 7, 10)
4/11: Chapter 11: Psychology and Family Law
4/13: Chapter 11: Psychology and Family Law; assignment 5 due
4/16: Chapter 11: Psychology and Family Law
4/18: Chapter 13: The Psychology of Criminal Behavior
4/20: Chapter 13: The Psychology of Criminal Behavior
4/23: Chapter 13: The Psychology of Criminal Behavior
4/25: Chapter 14: The Psychology of Law Enforcement
4/27: Chapter 14: The Psychology of Law Enforcement; assignment 6 due
4/30: Chapter 14: The Psychology of Law Enforcement
Final Exam: Friday, May 4, 2007, 12:30-2:30pm: Chapters 11, 13, 14
Please note that dates of chapters are approximate and subject to change.
Assignments
Assignment 1: Summarize a research article from the field of psychology and law. Use the list of journals in Box 1-2 of your text book (p. 8), and select an article that describes a research project conducted in the field of psychology and law. Be sure the article includes a research study (one way to be sure is to look for headers like “Method,” “Results,” and “Discussion” in the article. For tips on writing a research summary, check the following web site: http://chiron.valdosta.edu/dtwasieleski/artisumm.htm. Note: Use the list of journals in Box 1-2 of your text book (p. 8), NOT the one on this link.
Assignment 2: Each of the following court cases involves a charge of discrimination in testing. Choose one of them, and look up articles to write a summary and reaction to that case. Be sure to state the major contention of each side, and the Court’s ultimate ruling. Include your own reaction to the case. Cite all sources appropriately.
Anderson v. Banks (1981) 520 F. Supp. 472
Georgia case re: discrimination in HS graduation testing.
PASE v. Hannon (1980) 506 F. Supp. 831
Test bias for educational placement
Soroka v. Dayton Hudson Corporation (1991) 235 Cal. App. 3d 654
Psychological screening in pre-employment testing
Assignment 3: Several states have abolished the use
of an insanity defense, an action upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1994.
Based on class lectures and text readings, what is your opinion of the insanity
defense? Should it be abolished? Has your view of it changed since before you
took this course? Be sure to argue your point logically and persuasively, as if
trying to convince me we either should or should not abolish it. If needed, you
can also review some information at the following site:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/local/longterm/aron/qa227.htm
Assignment 4: As discussed in chapter 8, expert testimony and scientific evidence in general are held to certain standards before they can be ruled as admissible. In many jurisdictions, the standards are referred to as the Daubert standards. One procedure that has had a checkered history regarding admissibility in court is polygraph testing, done to assess the truthfulness of someone’s deposition. Check out the information in your text and from the following link:
http://www.psychologymatters.org/polygraphs.html
Read this document, and then write a 2-3 page summary and reaction paper (with your opinion) on whether such instruments should be used in court. Be sure to state pros and cons of such use.
Assignment 5: One of the more divisive issues in this field is the death penalty. Taking into account class lectures and the text, discuss your view of the death penalty in a 2-3 page reaction paper. Should it be kept, or abolished? Do you think it is applied fairly along social and racial lines? Be sure to tie in the sentencing goals described in chapter 10, citing those goals met by the death penalty, and those unmet. Again, be persuasive and rational in your argument.
Assignment 6: Find three current events articles in newspapers or news magazines that relate to the concepts, research, and/or ideas from the field of psychology and law. Prepare a one-page written summary of each news item, including a description of relevant psycholegal issues from the course, textbook, and/or lectures. Turn in a copy of the appropriately dated and referenced news article stapled to each one-page written summary. The project should be typed and consist of three 1-page news event summaries and psycholegal analysis, each with a copy of the relevant article attached.