Course Contents

1. Introduction to Forensic Psychology a. History of Forensic Psychology b. Defining Forensic Psychology c. Legal Research for the social scientist 2. Applying Psychology to Civil Proceedings a. Understanding Adult Domestic Law Issues b. Understanding Child Domestic Law Issues c. Conducting Personal Injury Evolution d. Personality Assessment in Personal Injury Litigation 3. Applying Psychology to Criminal Proceedings a. Evaluating eyewitness testimony in Adults & Children b. Competency to stand Trial c. Insanity Defense d. Specific intent and Diminished capacity e. Probation and Parole 4. Special Applications a. Violence Risk Assessment b. Psychology and Law Enforcement c. Polygraph Testing 5. Communicating Expert Opinions a. Writing Forensic Report b. Serving as an expert witness 6. Interviewing with Offenders a. Punishment and alternate routes to crime prevention b. Practicing psychology in Correlational settings c. Psychotherapy with criminal offenders 7. Professional Issues a. Practicing Principled Forensic Psychology b. Legal, ethical and moral consideration c. Training in Forensic Psychology

Course Synopsis

Course Description This course is designed to introduce students to the interface of psychology and the law, with a specific focus on forensic psychology. Critical issues, such as Not Guilty By the Reason of Insanity, Competency to Stand a Trial' Personal Injury evaluation and Violence Risk Assessment will be addressed. Students will be introduced to the roles and responsibilities of a forensic psychologist including psychological assessments, expert testimony, offenders treatment, and correctional psychology.

Course Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course students will be able to demonstrate the following: 1. Describe the major areas of interests shared by psychology and the law 2. Describe the types of forensic evaluations conducted in criminal and civil cases 3. Describe the landmark legal cases that impact forensic psychology 4. Describe the various career opportunities and the education and training needed to become a forensic psychologist 5. Describe and apply major theories of criminal behavior. 6. Summarize the role of psychologists and other mental health professionals in adult and juvenile corrections.