Lying and Law of Questioning

Catalog description

This seminar addresses how legal institutions define and detect dishonesty. Topics include 'post-truth' discourse and suspension of fact-finding and truth-seeking; the 'law of questioning' that governs legal truth-seeking in investigations and trials, with particular focus on the criminal justice process (interrogation practices, the problem of false confessions, liability for dishonest statements, cross examination, character and credibility, and lie detection in the laboratory, courtroom, and popular culture). Readings include excerpts from law review articles and scholarly books, works of social science, investigative reporting, documentary footage, editorial commentary, and popular culture.