Course Description
& Units of Study

Course Description: Forensic Psychology

Forensic Psychology is the application of psychology to legal issues. This course will provide a foundational understanding of the inter-section of psychology and the law and introduce students to related topics such as the roles and responsibilities of forensic psychologists, forensic psychological assessments, lie detection, evaluation of DNA and physical evidence, jury selection, the insanity defense, criminal profiling, eyewitness and expert testimony, offender treatment, the death penalty and correctional psychology. By examining case studies, trials, established and emerging laws, and relevant research, students will gain knowledge into psychological aspects of criminal activity and the people who commit those crimes, as well as a basic understanding of the major mental disorders and how they may cause, aggravate or mitigate criminal conduct. Forensic Psychology is a one-semester course. 

Successful completion of Forensic Psychology can fulfill a 0.5 credit Social Studies elective or general elective requirement for graduation.

Please note: In the course of studying Forensic Psychology, we will examine case studies that deal with mature content and sensitive topics such as abuse, neglect, trauma, depression, suicide, etc. Should students or their parents be uncomfortable with such material, they have the choice of dropping the course during the first 10 days of the semester without penalty to the student’s GPA.

Units of Study: Forensic Psychology

Unit 1 - Introduction to Forensic Psychology
Main Topics: What is Psychology? / Psychology is a Science / Influences on Behavior / Careers in Forensic Psychology

Unit 2 - Crime & Psychological Disorders
Main Topics: Categories of Psych. Disorders / Competency to Stand Trial (Russell Weston case study) / Insanity Defense (Andrea Yates case study) / Criminal Profiling (Gary Ridgway case study) / Antisocial Personality Disorders & Serial Killers

Unit 3 - Making a Case & Reaching a Verdict
Main Topics: Forensic Identification & Trace Evidence / Interrogation & Confession (Central Park Five case study) / Eyewitness Testimony (Ronald Cotton case study) / Lie Detection (Paul Ekman) / Jury Selection / The Trial Process

Unit 4 - Corrections & the Death Penalty
Main Topics: Functions of Prisons / Sentencing Decisions / Goals of Imprisonment / Statistics of Prisons & Prisoners / Prison Culture / The Death Penalty

Unit 5 - Special Issues in Forensic Psychology
Independent Research Project: Students choose a Forensic Psychology related topic of interest to research and present to the class

Forensic Psychology in the News
Ongoing Unit: During each unit students will locate a recent news article related to Forensic Psychology and present it to the class