This course is about how what we know from psychology (mostly cognitive and social psychology) can be applied to the legal system. It is cross-listed for law students and psychology graduate students. Note: I am hoping for psychology and law students. Law students need not have any psych background (or vice versa).
(The professor has both a law and a psychology degree.)
Our goal is to learn both content and procedure.
In terms of content: We will investigate several topics for which psychology has (or might have, or might think it has) things to say to the legal system. We will learn about the current state of affairs in both domains. Some of the topics will be classics (i.e., already well-investigated issues like eyewitness testimony; confessions; jury decision making) and some will be newer (e.g., expert testimony; punishment; property).
In terms of procedure: Psychologists know how to do experiments; law students know how to argue for a position. We are all going to do some experimenting and some arguing.
Readings will include psychology articles, cases, and law review articles. Grading will be based on class participation (general discussion and various activities) and two projects: a proposed experiment and short amicus brief.
Section Offerings for 2012-13
| Course No. | Term | Name | ||
| & Section | Instructor(s) | Schedule | Location | |
| L8601-001 | 12F | Law and Psychology | ||
| B. Spellman | T 6:20 PM-8:10 PM | GRHL 502 | ||
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