Forensic Psychology: COURSE SYLLABUS

Title: Forensic Psychology

Instructor Contact Information:

Name: Joulyn Kenny M.Sc (Forensic Science)

Phone: 9819288253

E-mail: joulyn.kenny@ifsr.in

Office Hours: Before & After Class or By Appointment

Course Description: The forensic psychology course will explore the application of

psychological science to legal matters. Special attention will be given to developing

and understanding of the most prevalent mental disorders that are encountered in

forensic evaluations and how forensic psychologists assists judges and juries in

determining criminal responsibility and punishment. Students will learn about the

insanity defence, capital murder and the death penalty, competency to stand trial,

and child custody matters. Additional topics to be covered include the

psychological underpinnings and motivations for sexual offenses, murder, and

repeated criminal behaviour.

Student Learning Objectives:

1. Students will identify the major mental illnesses encountered in forensic

psychology and apply this knowledge to case analyses.

2. Students will learn basic case and statutory law related to forensic psychology.

3. Students will be able to identify causes of criminality.

4. Students will learn criminal and civil applications of forensic psychology.

Required Reading Materials: Necessary Hand-outs, worksheets as provided by

the Instructor.

Assignments and Academic Calendar

Date Class Instruction & Assignment 04-02-2018 1. Introduction to Forensic Psychology

2. Major Mental Illness in Forensic Psychology 1.Psychotic Disorders 2. Bipolar Disorders

3. Intellectual Disabilities 4. Major Depression

5. Reading Assignment: Forensic Psychology, Chapter 1 11-02-2018 1.Psychopathy

2. Insanity Defense Serial Killers: Types and Case Studies1.Sexual Offender-Risk

Assessment and Subtypes

1.Violence Risk Assessment 2. Intimate Partner Violence

3. Juvenile Delinquency

18-02-2018 Mid-Term Exam (first hour of class) Forensic Linguistics

1.Eye witness memory and identification errors 25-02-2018 Detecting Deception

.Interview and Interrogation of Suspects Punishment, Treatment and Rehabilitation of Offenders

04-03-2018 Mind of a Criminal Neurocriminology Paper Submission

11-03-2018 A Forensic Psychologist's Guide to Body Language: Decoding

Meanings

18-03-2018 New Trends in Forensic Psychology Review for Exams

25-03-2018 Final Exams

Course Requirements and Grading Policies:

A student’s final grade will be an average of the following:

1. Class participation and attendance (10%).

You can expect to receive full credit in this area if you attend class regularly and

participate in class discussions.

2. Mid-Term Exam (35%)

3. Analysis Paper (20%)

4. Final Exam (35%)

Exams will be composed of true/false questions, multiple choice questions, and

brief essays.

Paper Requirements: Each student will compose a three to five page (double

spaced, 12 point font, one inch margins) analysis on an insanity case.

The paper will be graded as follows:

1. Content (75%) 2. Grammar (25%)

**A Certificate is provided to students who complete all the Course Guidelines.

Course & Instructor Policies:

Make up exams will be allowed only on an emergency basis. Proof of the emergency

must be provided (e.g., physician’s note, police report, etc.).

Late papers will be accepted one week after the due date and will be reduced by one

grade level.

No electronic devices are allowed during testing.

Cells phones should be silenced during class.

The descriptions and timelines contained in this syllabus are subject to

change at the discretion of the instructor.