Current Issues in Forensic Psychology Stephen F. Austin State University

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1 Current Issues in Forensic Psychology Stephen F. Austin State University PSY MWF 11:00-11:50 McKibben Education Building: Room 269 Instructor: Sylvia Middlebrook, Ph.D., BCBA-D Office: McKibben 215E Office Hours: MTWRF 10:00-11:00; T 4:00-5:00; or by appointment Phone: (936) middlebrs@sfasu.edu Graduate Assistant: Machael Cortez, Office 241; machaelcortez@gmail.com; (832) ; Office Hours: MTWR 10:00-11:00; TTH 12:30-1:30; W 1:00-3:00 Required Texts: Pozzulo, J., Bennell, C., & Forth, A. (2014) Forensic Psychology 1st edition. Boston: Pearson. Hare, R. D. (1999) Without Conscience: The Disturbing World of the Psychopaths Among Us. New York: Guilford Press Course Description: This course addresses the research and application of psychological knowledge to different areas of forensic psychology. Principles and concepts relevant to psychology and the legal system, as well as cognitive, biological and social factors, are explored. Topics include police psychology and investigations, the role of mental illness in the court system, risk assessment, psychopathy, and intimate partner violence. Prerequisite: Standing. Program Learning Outcomes: Students will be able to understand and apply psychological principles to personal, social, and organizational issues. PLO Proficiency Level The student will demonstrate familiarity with the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical trends in psychology. The student will understand and apply basic research methods in psychology, including research design, data analysis, and interpretation. The student will respect and use critical and creative thinking, skeptical inquiry, and, when possible, the scientific approach to solve problems related to behavior and mental processes. The student will understand and apply psychological principles to personal, social, and organizational issues. The student will value empirical evidence, tolerate ambiguity, act ethically, and reflect other values that are the underpinnings of psychology as a science. 1

2 Student Learning Objectives: 1. Students will be able to communicate an understanding of the scientific research and theories pertaining to forensic psychology. 2. Students will be able to explain the diagnostic system utilized to classify anti-social behaviors and psychiatric disorders specifically related to legal offenses. 3. Students will be able to communicate an understanding of the different diagnostic categories of alleged offenders, forensic assessments, the trial process, and sentencing phase. 4. Students will be able to distinguish between civil and criminal cases, and will have an understanding of the role of mental illness in the courtroom. 5. Students will develop and improve their critical thinking skills within the domain of psychology. 6. Students will learn to better communicate their knowledge and opinions effectively during classroom discussions. ****************************************************************************** Course Requirements: 1. Attendance and Participation: Attending all classes is vital to your understanding of the concepts and course material covered in this class. You are expected to come to class prepared to participate in class discussions, respond to questions, and make relevant comments and pertinent observations. Being absent cannot be used as a reason for missing assignments or deadlines. This is a fast-paced, advanced level course that will cover substantial amounts of information during each class session. Class attendance will be taken daily and all students are expected to arrive on time. If you arrive late, it is your responsibility to inform the professor of your presence at the end of class. Coming to class late three times counts as one absence. Students are expected to attend all classes; however you will have up to three excused absences (which is one full week of class). If you surpass three absences, each subsequent absence will effectively deduct one point from your attendance final points (10 becomes 9, then 8, etc.). Students are responsible for all missed materials. 2. Reading: Students are expected to read ALL assigned materials. Reading should be done in advance of class to maximize your comprehension of the material and to facilitate your capacity to meaningfully contribute to classroom discussion. It is highly recommended that you read the material in the text(s) shortly before or after class; this will maximize your learning and retention of the information. Without the books, you cannot successfully complete this course. 3. Exams: There are two non-cumulative exams (mid-term & final) and one quiz. Each exam is worth 100 points, and the quiz is worth 50 points. Because these exams cover a substantial amount of material, preparation for them should be on-going. Stay current in your reading and take notes in class. You are responsible for your own success in this class, and my goal is to assist you in being successful. On Exam Days: Be on time. Coming into class late after an exam has begun is distracting. When taking exams, students are required to remain in the classroom until exams have been submitted as completed. Bring a large blue Scantron sheet (form 30423) and a number 2 pencil to class on exam days. **Make-up exams: If you know you have to miss class on an exam day, please speak with the professor as soon as you know, and make arrangements to take the exam before the regularly scheduled test date. However, if you are ill or have an emergency on a quiz or exam day and will not be able to make it to class, you must meet two requirements in order to be eligible to take a make-up exam: (1) You must inform the professor no later than the start of class that you will be absent and state the reason for your absence. If you fail to notify the professor either by phone, , or in person, before the exam has been handed out to the class, you will not be eligible to take a make-up exam. (2) In addition, students must have a formal excuse. A make-up exam will be scheduled as soon as is reasonably possible depending on 2

3 the circumstances, and a formal excuse will be required at that time. If you do not bring formal documentation, you will not be able to take the exam. 4. Assignments: There are three assignments (TBA) worth 10 points each, and five short "quick turnaround" (QTA) assignments worth 5 points each. 5. Research Participation: Students are required to earn 10 research points (R points) by participating in departmental research projects. Each R point equals four course points. To receive credit for this class, five of the Research points must be completed by mid-term (10/10/2014), and five can be completed between mid-term and the last class day (12/05/2014). 6. *Important note & Caution: This course may include videos, powerpoint slides, etc., with mature themes, and may contain discussion of sensitive content related to the interface between mental illness and the legal system. Students should consider these factors when determining if they are good candidates for this course. Extra Credit: There may be periodic opportunities for earning a small number of extra credit points this semester (TBA). Grading System: Point Distribution- Two (2) Exams (mid-term & final) 100 points each 200 One (1) Quiz 50 points 50 Syllabus Quiz 5 points 5 Three (3) Assignments 10 points each 30 Four (5) QTA's 5 points each 25 Ten (10) Research Participation 3 points each 30 Attendance/Participation up to 10 points 10 Total possible points: 350 Grade Distribution: Grades are firm! A = 90% - 100%; B = 80% - 89%; C = 70% - 79%; D = 60% - 69%; F < 60% Additional Course Information: Classroom Behavior: Classroom behavior must not interfere with the instructor's ability to conduct the class or the ability of other students to learn from the instructional program (refer to Student Conduct code, policy D-34.1). Unacceptable and/or disruptive behavior may result in students being asked to leave class, and students may be subject to judicial, academic, or other penalties. The expectation is that you will be respectful of others in this class. Private conversations during lecture are distracting and are not acceptable. The instructor reserves the right to ask students to leave class if that student's behavior interferes with the learning process. Though students are encouraged to engage in class discussions, it is not necessarily appropriate to discuss detailed personal matters. Cell Phones and Electronics: Cell phones MUST be turned off and put up out of sight during class. Texting, social networking, and/or going online during class are not appropriate. The instructor reserves the right to ask students to leave class if you are texting or otherwise using your phone during class. Laptops/notebooks/tablets are discouraged; however, if there is some special reason for which you need to use an electronic device for note-taking purposes only, this will require special permission prior to class. You will need to speak with the professor before class, and sign a contract indicating that you will 3

4 use the device only for note-taking, that you will refrain from engaging in social networking, playing games, and/or internet usage during class time. Further, you must indicate understanding that if you engage in these behaviors, you will not be allowed to bring the device for the remainder of the semester. Additional information: Academic Integrity (A-9.1): "Academic integrity is a responsibility of all University faculty and students. Faculty members promote academic integrity in multiple ways including instructions on the components of academic honesty, as well as abiding by University policy on penalties for cheating and plagiarism." -- Stephen F. Austin State University Policies. The policy can be accessed for your review at: Definition of Academic Dishonesty: "Academic dishonesty includes both cheating and plagiarism. Cheating includes but is not limited to: (1) using or attempting to use unauthorized materials to aid in achieving a better grade on a component of a class; (2) the falsification or invention of any information, including citations, on an assigned exercise; and/or (3) helping or attempting to help another in an act of cheating or plagiarism. Plagiarism is presenting the words or ideas of another person as if they were your own. Examples of plagiarism are: (1) submitting an assignment as if it were one's own work when, in fact, it is at least partly the work of another; (2) submitting a work that has been purchased or otherwise obtained from an Internet source or another source; and (3) incorporating the words of ideas of an author into one's paper without giving the author due credit." -- Stephen F. Austin State University Policies (please refer to complete policy at Withheld Grades from Course Grades (Policy 5.5) At the discretion of the instructor of record and with the approval of the academic unit head, a grade of WH will be assigned only if the student cannot complete the course work because of unavoidable circumstances. Students must complete the work within one calendar year from the end of the semester in which they receive a WH, or the grade automatically becomes an F, except as allowed through policy [i.e., Active Military Service (6.14)]. If students register for the same course in future semesters, the WH will automatically become an F and will be counted as a repeated course for the purpose of computing the grade point average. Disputes about Course Grades: Please refer to university policy: Students with Disabilities (Policy 6.1). To obtain disability related accommodations, alternate formats and/or auxiliary aids, students with disabilities must contact the Office of Disability Services (ODS), Human Services Building, and Room 325, / (TDD) as early as possible in the semester. Once verified, ODS will notify the course instructor and outline the accommodation and/or auxiliary aids to be provided. Failure to request services in a timely manner may delay your accommodations. For additional information, go to and icare Early Alert Intervention Program: Students experiencing significant behavioral, attendance, and/or academic difficulties may be referred to the icare Program to provide additional assistance or intervention. ] 4

5 Current Issues in Forensic Psychology Fall 2014 Course Schedule Sylvia Middlebrook, Ph.D., BCBA-D *Note: The instructor reserves the right to change the course calendar based on students' levels of comprehension, mastery of material and/or other circumstances. Pozzulo, J., Bennell, C., & Forth, A. (2014) Forensic Psychology 1st edition. Boston: Pearson. Hare, R. D. (1999) Without Conscience: The Disturbing World of the Psychopaths Among Us. New York: Guilford Press Tentative Schedule: Week of: Pozzulo, Bennell, & Forth: Forensic Psychology Syllabus Review 08/25/2014 Chapter 1: Introduction to Forensic Psychology Chapters 2: Police Psychology 09/03/2014 *09/01/2014 Labor Day holiday Chapter 3: Police Investigations 09/08/2014 Chapter 4: Deception Chapters 5 & 6: Eyewitness Testimony & Child Victims & Witnesses 09/15/2014 Chapter 7: Juries & Fact Finders 09/22/2014 Chapter 8: The Role of Mental Illness in Court 09/29/2014 Chapter 9: Sentencing in the US 10/06/2014 Mid-term Exam 10/10/2014 Chapter 10: Risk Assessment 10/13/2014 Chapter 12: Assessment & Treatment of Juvenile Delinquency 10/20/204 Chapter 11: Psychopathy 10/27/2014 Hare, R.D.: Without Conscience: The Disturbing World of the 11/03/2014 Psychopaths Among Us, Robert Hare Pozzulo, Bennell & Forth: Forensic Psychology Chapter 13: Intimate Partner Violence 11/10/2014 Chapter 14: Sexual and Homicidal Offenders 11/17/2014 Chapter 14 (continued) 11/24/2014 *Thanksgiving holidays 11/26 & 11/28 Presentations, Review, and Wrap-up 12/01/2014 Final Exam Monday 12/08/ :30 am - 12:30 pm ***This syllabus is tentative and is subject to change. 5