PSY 2430 - Forensic Psychology

Credits: 4

In this course students will be introduced to the key areas of forensic psychology and explore the research and theories of modern forensic psychology. Students will learn the methods used by forensic psychologists including the scientific knowledge that clinical psychologists bring to the courtroom when they testify about such topics as insanity, competency to stand trial, child custody decision-making, future dangerousness, and civil commitment. Students will identify the elements involved in false confessions, eyewitness memory, juvenile offenders, sexual offenders, domestic violence and stalking. We will discuss how to understand the criminal mind from the perspective of a forensic psychologist. Students will grapple in class discussion and assignments with how to determine if an individual is criminally responsible - ‘evil’ - or not due to mental illness.

Prerequisite(s): PSY 1000 and PSY 2460