Instructor: Richard J. Horton

Office: Arts and Sciences Building, Room G-116

Phone: (678) 466-4712

Email: RichardHorton@clayton.edu

Office Hours: Thirty minutes prior to each class & by appointment.

The purpose of this course is to examine the aspects of human behavior directly related to the legal process and testimony, jury decision making, or criminal behavior. The professional practice of psychology within or in consultation with a legal system will be examined. Profiling, insanity and competency, risk assessment, discrimination, and interrogation and confessions will be emphasized.

Students will:

1.     Describe how Forensic Psychology is used in the legal system.

2.     Become aware of the conflicts between psychology and law.

3.    Develop tools that will prepare them to use better techniques in criminal investigation, profiling, hypnosis, and lie detection.

4.     Understand insanity and competency to stand trial. 5. Understand ways to better improve risk assessment.

Forensic Psychology (2nd edition)/Lawrence S. Wrightsman and Solomon M. Fulero. Belmont, CA:Thomson Wadsworth, ISBN# 0-534-63225-4.

The course will utilize a variety of teaching methods to include lectures, video library resources, question and answer exchanges (Socratic Method), classroom discussions, student presentations, web-based instruction, and in-class assignments to integrate theory and practice. Students will be required to practice both oral and written communication. The instructor will function as a facilitator of discussion and group learning.

There will be an examination approximately every other week in the material covered in previous sessions. They will be averaged together and the percentage of the final grade computed from that average. A comprehensive final will be given on the final session of class. Students will be required to submit a research paper of some aspect of Forensic Psychology and present that research to the class in a fifteen (15) minute presentation. Students will be required to participate in role-plays, group discussions, computer exercises, and class presentations.

Week 1 Course Orientation

Aug. 18, 20 Chapter 1: Forensic Psychology: Promises & Problems

APA Style of Writing Introduction

Modality: In class

Week 2 Chapter 2: Forensic Psychologists: Roles & Response

Aug. 25, 27 Video Instruction (VI): Hostage Negotiation

Modality: In class

Week 3 Chapter 3: Psychology and LE

Sept. 1, 3 Quiz #1 – Chapters 1 and 2

Modality: In class

Week 4 Chapter 4: Techniques of Criminal Investigation

Sept., 8, 10 V.I.: Criminal Profiling

Modality: In class

Week 5 Chapter 5: Insanity & Competency

Sept, 15, 17 Quiz # 2 – Chapters 3 and 4

Modality: In class

Week 6 Chapter 6: Dangerousness to Risk Assessment

Sept. 22, 24 V.I.: Understanding Murder

Modality: In class

Week 7 Chapter 7: "Syndrome" Evidence

Sept. 29, Oct. 1 V.I.: Serial Rapist

Quiz #3 – Chapters 5 and 6

Modality In class

Oct. 6, 8 Chapter 8: Child Sexual Abuse

Modality In class

Week 9 Chapter 9: Child Custody and Related Decisions

Oct. 13, 15 Quiz #4 – Chapters 7 and 8

Modality In class

Week 10 Chapter 10: Improving Eyewitness ID Procedures

Oct. 20, 22

Modality In class

Week 11 Chapter 11: Interrogations & Confessions

Oct. 27, 29 V.I.: Criminal Competence

Quiz #5 – Chapters 9 and 10

Modality In class

Week 12 Chapter 12: Trial Consultation

Nov. 3, 5

Modality In class

Week 13 Chapter 13: Discrimination

Nov. 10, 12 V.I.: Race and Sex (What We Think, But Do Not Say)

Quiz #6 – Chapters 11 and 12

Modality In class

Week 14 Chapter 14: Sexual Harassment

Nov. 17, 19 V.I.: Sexual Harassment

Modality In class

Week 15 Chapter 15: Death Penalty Trial & Appeals

Nov. 24 Research Paper Due

Thanksgiving Break Quiz #7 – Chapters 13 and 14

Modality In class

Week 16 Presentations

Dec. 1, 3

Modality In class

Week 17 Comprehensive Final Examination

Dec. 8

Modality In class

Quizzes

Midterm Examination

Final Examination

Completion of all written assignments

Active class participation

Regular class attendance

• Attend each class.
• Arrive to class on time.
• Be prepared to participate in class discussions.
• Give the instructor and fellow class members your undivided attention when they are speaking and conducting presentations.
• Do not engage in side conversations when instructor is speaking.
• Do not engage in side conversations when class members are conducting presentations.
• Dress professionally when conducting presentations.
• Arrive to class early on your presentation night to test the equipment and your PowerPoint presentation.
• Submit all assignments on or before the due date.

Final Grade

Quizzes/Exams average 35%

Midterm Examination 25%

Final Examination 25%

Position/Research Paper 10%

And Presentation

Class Participation and Attendance 5%

Total 100%

90 - 100 A

80 – 89 B

70 – 79 C

60 – 69 D

Below 60 F

Students are expected to be present and on time at all regular class meetings, examinations, and any team project meetings. Any absence must be accompanied by a written excuse from a doctor or other competent authority.

Note: The Criminal Justice System/Police Science professional will represent the foundation of our Justice System and must be individuals whom others can depend upon in times of need. Attendance and timeliness are a reflection of that future professional.

A large amount of material is covered during the semester. Therefore, no provisions have been made for making up work in this class, unless there’s a legitimate excuse involved – i.e. owing to circumstances beyond your control. If you have a legitimate excuse (medical emergency, death in the immediate family, or approved university event), contact the Instructor as soon as possible. Make-ups will be given and allowances will be made only if you supply documentation supporting your reasons for absence.

Students with a documented disability should inform the instructor at the close of the first class meeting or as soon as possible. Students with disabilities who need to request accommodations should contact the Disability Services Coordinator, Student Center 255, (678) 466-5445 disabilityservices@mail.clayton.edu

The University expects students to conduct themselves in a manner, which reflects their maturity and their awareness that matriculation at the University is a privilege accorded only to those who share the ideals of an academic community. Behavior which disrupts the teaching-learning process during class activities will not be tolerated. While a variety of behaviors can be disruptive in a classroom setting, more serious examples include belligerent, abusive, profane, and/or threatening behavior. A student who fails to respond to reasonable faculty direction regarding classroom behavior and/or behavior while participating in classroom activities may be dismissed from class. A student who is dismissed is entitled to due process and will be afforded such rights as soon as possible following dismissal. If found in violation, a student may be administratively withdrawn and may receive a grade of WF.

A more detailed description of examples of disruptive behavior and appeal procedures is provided at:

http://a-s.clayton.edu/DisruptiveClassroomBehavior.htm

Cheating, plagiarism and fabrication are prohibited. Each student is expected to uphold the highest standards of academic integrity in examinations, written work, assignments, and classroom participation. All submitted examinations, assignments, and writings must be your own work. All instances of academic dishonesty will result in a grade of zero for the work involved. In addition, in order to maintain an effective learning environment, students are expected to fully comply with the code of conduct expected in a classroom setting. All instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Office of Student Life/Judicial Affairs. Judicial procedures are described at

http://adminservices.clayton.edu/judicial/

Thomas Jefferson, Letter to Samuel Kercheval, July 12, 1816

The course syllabus provides a general plan for the course. Deviations may be necessary and are made at the discretion of the instructor.

Last Updated: 08/18/2009