Course Syllabus for Forensic Psychology – JUAD 3325-SA01

Fall Term 2009

I. Wayland Baptist University

II. Course Description/Learning Objectives

The course will provide an overview of and insights into the newest investigative tool for law enforcement: criminal profiling. Also, the course will review the area of forensic psychology and its application to various civil and criminal litigation.

III. Course Designation and Title

Forensic Psychology – JUAD 3325-SA01

IV. Specific Time, Location and Duration

Fall Term, Friday, 6:00 p.m. to 10:10 p.m.

Lackland Air Force Base, Building 5725, Room 238

Beginning August 21, 2009 – October 30, 2009

V. Required Text

Forensic Psychology, Third Edition by Lawrence S. Wrightsman and Solomon M. Fulero, copyright 2009, Thomson-Wadsworth Publishing Company

VI. Supplemental Text

Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, Fifth Edition.

Please note that this is not a required text, but the term paper must be styled and written in accordance with this Manual. You can also access the APA Publications Manual at www.apastyle.org. Failure to apply the requirements of the APA manual will significantly impact on the grade given for the research paper.

VII. Instructor

Michael S. Proctor, Adjunct Professor

Telephone: 830-609-0216, 210-410-2556

Email: msp9308@hotmail.com

VIII. Class Schedule

Class Session	Topics	Reading Assignment	Other Assignments
1 August 21, 2009	Forensic Psychology – Promises and Problems Forensic Psychologists – Roles and Responsibilities	Course Overview and Chapters 1	Read the required portions of the text
2 August 28, 2009	Forensic Psychologists – Roles and Responsibilities Psychology and Law Enforcement	Chapters 2 & 3	Read the required portions of the text and handouts.
3 September 4, 2009	Techniques of Criminal Investigation Insanity and Competency	Chapters 4 & 5	Read the required portions of the text and handouts.
4 September 11, 2009	Examination #1 – Chapters 1-5 From Dangerous to Risk Assessment	Chapters 6	Read the required portions of the text and handouts.
5 September 18, 2009	Syndrome Evidence Child Sexual Abuse	Chapters 7 & 8	Read the required portions of the text and handouts.
6 September 25, 2009	Child Custody and Related Decisions Improving Eyewitness Identification Procedures	Chapters 9 & 10	Read the required portions of the text and handouts.
7 October 2, 2009	Interrogations and Confessions	Chapters 11	Read the required portions of the text and handouts.
8 October 9, 2009	Examination #2 – Chapters 6-11 Trial Consultations	Chapters 12	Read the required portions of the text and handouts.
9 October 16, 2009	Discrimination Sexual Harassment	Chapter 13 & 14	Term Papers are due. Read the required portions of the text and handouts
10 October 23, 2009	Death Penalty Trials and Appeals Influencing Public Policy	Chapter 15 & 16	Read the required portions of the text and handouts.
11 October 30, 2009	Final Examination – Chapters 12-16

IX. Grading / Means of Assessment

Each examination point total is 120 X three exams = 360 total points

Written Assignment / Term Paper (1) = 200 total points

Class Attendance / Participation = 25 total points

Maximum Total Points Available = 585

90 – 100% of total points (527-585) = A

80 -- 89% of total points (468-526) = B

70 -- 79% of total points (410-467) = C

60 -- 69% of total points (351-409 = D

Less than 60% of total points (less than 351) = F

I do not curve grades! You are responsible for meeting the course requirements on time and as scheduled. If you miss an examination it is your responsibility to schedule a make-up exam. Research papers will not be accepted late. If you want to submit a written assignment for extra credit you may submit one item for extra credit for 30 points. You may not use extra credit submissions as a substitute for items required for the class.

X. Examinations

There will be a total of three examinations. The construction of the examination will be multiple choice, true/false, and essay. If you miss an examination due to an emergency, a make-up test may be taken prior to the next class meeting at a time and place to be determined by the instructor. Please note that a make-up examination may be more difficult than the original examination. The instructor reserves the right to refuse any make-up examination or late assignment.

XI. Written Assignments

Each student must complete a written assignment – a research paper. The paper is to be ten (10) to twelve (12) pages in length (not including cover page and bibliography/reference page.). The paper is to be a research project, typed, double-spaced, grammatically correct, and footnotes and references properly used. The style of the paper should be consistent with accepted standards (e.g., Publication Manual of the American Psychological Assn.). Topics can be selected from the list of suggested research topics; the role of the forensic psychologist, criminal profiling, use of the polygraph, eyewitness testimony, or any other topic related to forensic psychology. The research paper has a value of 200 points. The 200 points are divided into 100 points for content and 100 points for grammar, spelling, punctuation, sentence structure, etc.

The research paper may have an abstract (a brief comprehensive summary of the contents of the paper), but this is optional as the same information may be contained in the introduction of the paper. Other required items for the research paper:

· Define all abbreviations (except units of measurement)

· Write clearly

· Use third person!

· Begin the paper with an introduction – one or two paragraphs that gives the reader a clear understanding of the research, data, arguments, etc. The introduction should state the purpose or rationale for the paper.

· The body of the paper should explain the research that you did and the conclusions based and supported by the research, not just your opinion.

· The paper must end with a summary – one or two paragraphs that concisely closes the paper.

· Properly cite references.

XII. Attendance and Punctuality

Students are expected to attend classes and be prepared by having read the assigned materials. A student who misses 25% or more of the regularly scheduled class meetings (three absences or more) will receive a failing grade for the course.

XIII. Academic Honesty

Students are expected to complete all individual assignments in a scholarly manner, and reflect both honesty and integrity. Copying another student’s assignment, cheating on examinations, and/or plagiarism is unacceptable and is grounds for failing the course and/or expulsion from the University.

XIV. Class Preparation

Students are expected to be prepared for class and are responsible for the materials in the reading assignments as well as additional materials that may be provided. If your job requires that you use a pager or cell phone, put them in silent/vibrate mode while in class.

XV. Services for the Disabled

It is University policy that no otherwise qualified disabled person be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any educational program or activity in the University. Students should inform the instructor of existing disabilities at the first class meeting.

SUGGESTED RESEARCH TOPICS

YOU MAY CHOOSE YOUR RESEARCH TOPIC FROM THIS LIST, BUT YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO CHOOSE FROM THIS LIST. MORE THAN ONE INDIVIDUAL MAY HAVE THE SAME TOPIC. IF YOU DECIDE ON A DIFFERENT TOPIC THAN ONE LISTED, HAVE YOUR RESEARCH TOPIC APPROVED BY THE INSTRUCTOR.

1. Are We Teaching Our Kids to Kill – the Impact of Video Games, Movies, and/or Television on Juvenile/Youth Violence

2. The Media and Its Impact on the Public Perception of Crime

3. The School Yard Killer – A Profile

4. Hate Crimes and the Groups Who Commit Them

5. Security Threat Groups and Their Role in Domestic Terrorism

6. Ethics in the Criminal Justice System

7. You may want to select a particular crime pattern for your research topic, such as:

· Crimes of Violence

· Sexual Offenses or Sex Offenders

· Organized Crime

· Crimes Related to Addictive Behavior (e.g., alcoholism, drug/substance abuse

8. The Use of the Polygraph

9. Criminal Profiling – Art or Science

10. The Use of Hypnosis – History and / or Theory Behind the Practice; Legal Implications

11. McCleskey v. Kemp – the conflict between law and science

12. Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals Inc – case overview

13. Frye v. United States – case overview

14. The Use of Psychological Tests in Occupational Selection – Are They Valid

15. Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

16. Workplace Violence

17. Criminal Profiling and Stereotyping

18. Serial Killers – Murder by the Numbers

19. The Insanity Defense

20. Cycle of Violence as it Applies to Child Abuse

21. Battered Woman Syndrome – Evidence – Can It Be Used in Court (Battered Woman Syndrome Defense)

22. The Death Penalty – Pros and Cons

23. The Use of DNA Evidence in Court

24. Ted Bundy – Serial Killer