Calumet College of St. Joseph

Term:    Summer Semester 2002-03

Course: 08496T Forensic Psychology

Psychology/Criminal Justice

                                            Time: Wed. 6:30 ---10:00PM

 

Instructor: Patrick G. Ellis                                                       Jeffrey A. Harkin

Calumet College of Saint Joseph                                                       University of Notre Dame

B.S. Criminal Justice                                                              B.S.

Indiana University NW                                                             John Marshall Law School

M.P.A. : Criminal Justice – Public Management                    Employment: Hammond

Employment: Hammond City Court                                       City Court: Judge

                      Chief Probation Officer                                    

E-mail: pgellis@justice.com                                                      Phone: 219-853-6388

Phone: 219-845-1209  Hm.                                                                219-853-6410

            219-853-6410 Wk.

            219-808-6008 cell

                                      Office Hrs.1/2 before class or by appointment

 

Text

Psychology and the Legal System by: Wrightman, Green, Nietzel, and Fortune

5th Edition, Publisher: Wadsworth

ISBN: 0-534-36544-2 (hard)

 

Course description: Course applies psychological knowledge to the criminal justice system.  The socio-legal components of the civil law and the court system that may provide influential knowledge to both criminal and civil law cases and the therapeutic interventions performed in our environment will be investigated.

 

Learning Outcomes:

Students from this class will have an understanding of the psychological methods that psychologists and psychiatrist apply using human behavior, motivation, and pathology to assess criminals and understand the applications to Criminal Investigations, the Court System, and Corrections.

 

Learning Strategies:

Weekly lectures w/open discussion, handouts of current resources and Web site links for related topics.

 

Exams: Mid Term/ Final

 

Assessments:

Mid Term  ---                                                                           50%

Class participation: Q/A, attendance, assignments ---            30%

Final: presentation                                                                  20%                   

 

 

 

Grading Scale:

A: 92-100            A-: 90-91        B+: 88-89        B: 82-86        B-: 80-81        C+: 78-79

C: 72-77            C-: 7071    D+: 68-69   D: 62-67        D-:60-61        F: 59---

 

Attendance: Students are expected to attend all scheduled classes.  Emergencies or other circumstances may be unavoidable that the student to be excused for reason.  Please report all absences at the numbers listed prior to scheduled class

 

Policy on Electronic Devices: Students are expected not to disturb or disrupt the learning environment.  Upon receiving a silent message please remove yourself to the hall.

 

Please Note:  Students are expected to read the assigned chapters and to be prepared for participation.  A more complete understanding of the subject matter is achieved by reading the entire chapter to form a forensic opinion as it relates to the legal system.

Key terms at the end of each chapter provide each student with a strong vocabulary to communicate within the justice system.  You are strongly encouraged to incorporate these terms in your preparation of your studies for this subject as well as other in-kind classes.

 

Course Outline:

May 14, 2003             Introduction                             Assignments:

 

May 21, ---                  No Class: Assignment Due Chapters 1,2

                                                    Psychology and the Law: Impossible Choices

                                                    Psychologist and the Legal System

 

May 28, ---                  Chapters 3,4 ----Lecture and Discussion       

                                                    Legality, Morality, and Justice

                                                    The Legal System and its Players

 

June 04, ---                  Chapters 5,6 ---- Lecture and Discussion

                                                    Theories of Crime

                                                    The Police and the Criminal Justice System

 

June 11, ---                  Chapters 7-8 --- Lecture and Discussion

                                                    Crime Investigation: Witness

                                                    Identification and Evaluation of Criminal Suspects

 

June 18, ---                  Chapters 9 --- Lecture and Discussion

                                                    The Rights of the Victims and the Rights of the Accused

 

June 25, ---                  Chapters 10 Guest Lecturer: Attorney Mike Bosch

                                                              “Between Arrest and Trial”

                                                    Review ------------------------------

 

July 2,   ---                   Chapters 11 ---- Lecture and Discussion

                                                    Forensic Assessment in Criminal Cases: Competency

                                                    and Insanity.

 

July 9,   ---                   Chapters 12-13 --- Lecture and Discussion

                                                    Forensic Assessment in Civil Cases

                                                    The Trial Process

 

July 16  ---                   Chapters 14-15 --- Lecture and Discussion

                                                    Jury Trials I: Jury Representiveness and Selection

                                                    Jury Trials II: Concerns and Reforms

 

July 17  ---                   Chapter 16 --- Lecture and Discussion

                                                            Psychology of Victims

 

July 23  ---                   Chapter 17 --- Punishment and Sentencing

                                                            Guest Lecturer: 

                                                            “Death Penalty: the Ultimate Punishment”

 

July 30  ---                   Review course------ Film: Forensic Psychology

 

Aug. 6  ---                   Final

 

 

 

Center for Academic Excellence:

Tutoring assistance is free to all students of Calumet College of Saint Joseph’s.  Call the Center for Academic Excellence (CAE), to make an appointment at 473-4287.  The Center has experienced and well-trained tutors in most subject areas to help students who are struggling in a course or who are doing well and would like to do better.  Regular weekly tutoring sessions are likely to improve your grade.

 

Statement of Plagiarism:

If an instructor or other Calumet College of Saint Joseph’s personnel find that a student has plagiarized or been involved in another form of academic dishonesty, the instructor or other personnel may elect to bring the matter up for judicial review.  The maximum penalty for any form of academic dishonesty is dismissal from the College.  The procedures for judicial review are listed under the section of CCSJ handbook that addresses student grievances.  (Academic Planner 2001/2002 p.27)

 

Citation Guidelines:

Calumet College of Saint Joseph adheres to citation guidelines as prescribed by the particular discipline (i.e., MLA, APA, and Chicago Manual of Style or Turabian.)  All of these guidelines are available in the Calumet College of Saint Joseph library or bookstore.  These texts outline how to cite references from a variety of sources, including electronic media.

 

Withdrawal from Classes Policy:

After the last day for class changes has passed (see College calendar), students may withdraw from a course in which they are registered with permission from the faculty member conducting the course.  A written request detailing the reason(s) for the withdrawal must be filled with the Registrar.  The Registrar must receive written request for withdrawal by the last day of classes prior to the final examination dates specified in the catalogue.  Written requests may be mailed to the Registrar or faxed to the College fax number 219-473-4259.  Students are to make note of the refund schedule when withdrawing from courses.  The request is forwarded to the faculty member, who makes the final determination to accept or deny the request.  If the request is honored, the student will receive notification of official withdrawal; if denied, the notification will indicate why the withdrawal is disallowed.

An official withdrawal is recorded as a “W” grade on the transcript.  Dropping a course without written permission automatically incurs an “F” grade for the course (see Refund Schedule).