UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO AT SCARBOROUGH - PSY D15
Current Topics in Social Psychology: Psychology and the Law
Instructor:
Dr. Alexis Kennedy
Office:
Room S514
Office
Hours: By
email arrangement
Email:
alexis.kennedy@utoronto.ca
Class
Time: Monday
7-9 p.m.
Room:
AC334
Note:
It is your responsibility to ensure that you meet the prerequisite requirements for this course as listed in the Scarborough course calendar. Your registration may be cancelled
if you are lacking the appropriate prerequisites.
The
final mark in this course will be based on:
1) One 18-20 page paper (55%) [MAJOR PAPER]. This paper will be on the topic chosen by you in class
from the list of possible topics provided. The paper is due on November 22nd by 7
p.m. Assignments handed in late will lose 5% per day (including weekend
days) unless accompanied by a medical note. Papers over 20 pages long are acceptable
but papers under 18 pages are not. Referencing should meet APA style formatting (5th edition).
2) One 15-minute in-class paper presentation (15%) You will be responsible for presenting information on the topic that you chose for
your paper. Your talk should describe the research conducted in the journal articles listed alongside the topic that you chose.
3) One 2-page handout for the class summarizing your in-class presentation (5%). This
handout should not be more than two pages and should include the journal articles that you are relying on.
4) One 60-minute in-class exam (25%). This exam will include multiple choice, short answer and
definition questions based both upon the class readings and lecture materials. The
mid-term will be October 25th. Please also see the information on
departmental policies regarding missed tests in the UTSC calendar.
-OR-
4) One 12-15 page paper (25%) [MINOR PAPER]. A writing assignment may be chosen instead of taking the exam. This paper
assignment would be in addition to the major paper assignment described above. For
those students who would prefer to write this 12-15 page assignment, it will be due on October 25th by 7 p.m. Topics for this paper must be approved by the instructor. Assignments handed
in late will lose 5% per day (including weekend days) unless accompanied by a medical note.
COURSE
OUTLINE:
|
Date |
Week |
Lecture |
|
September 13 |
1 |
Introduction
to Forensic Psychology, the Legal System and social psychology
MAJOR PAPER ASSIGNMENTS CHOSEN |
|
Readings |
|
|
|
September 20 |
2 |
Stereotypes
& Prejudice: Eyewitness Testimony |
|
Readings |
|
|
|
September 27 |
3 |
Mental health
law: Fitness & insanity |
|
Readings |
|
|
|
October 4 |
4 |
Social psychology
and family law: Divorce, domestic violence and abuse |
|
Readings |
|
|
|
October 11 |
|
Thanksgiving
day: NO CLASS |
|
October 18 |
5 |
Social psychology
information on jury selection |
|
Readings |
|
|
|
October 25 |
6 |
MID-TERM EXAM
-OR- MINOR PAPER DUE
|
|
November 1 |
7 |
Presentations:
Psychological Assessments |
|
November 8 |
8 |
|
|
November 15 |
9 |
Presentations:
Social psychology concepts in decision making |
|
November 22 |
10 |
MAJOR PAPER DUE
Presentations: Memory and eyewitness testimony |
|
November 29 |
11 |
Presentations:
The psychology of victims and service providers |
|
December 2 |
12 |
Presentations: The psychology of offenders |
