Psychology and Law

Catalog description

This course will explore the inter-disciplinary field of Psychology and Law through the lens of increasing the accuracy of criminal justice outcomes. We will evaluate the U.S. legal system in light of psychological research, Supreme Court rulings, and wrongful conviction cases. Much of our readings will consist of psychological studies, and our class discussions will focus on how to use psychological research to reform the criminal justice system. Students will be exposed to the major sub-topics in the field, including" race in the justice system, deception detection, police interrogation and confessions, eyewitness identification, repressed memories, forensic evidence, plea bargaining, juries, and the death penalty.