Psychology, Race, and Law Course

Course description

Psychology, Race, and Law provides an overview of the law school experience, including an introduction to first year law curriculum and the requisite skills needed to be successful in law school. This course will examine the interaction between psychology, the legal system and race. Topics we will explore include but are not limited to include eyewitness memory, the insanity defense, involuntary civil commitment, forensic evaluation in cases of child sexual abuse, false confessions, profiling, and child custody determinations. The class addresses various controversies in the law, including jury selection, jury decision-making, police interrogations and confessions, use of lie-detector tests, eyewitness testimony, repressed and recovered memories, and the role of psychologists as expert witnesses. We will survey real-world examples of what may be current at the time. These real-world examples will describe scenarios and cases that illustrate or explain an important legal concept or psychological principle covered in the chapter or section being discussed in class. This course provides a strong foundation of understanding for individuals interested in Forensic Psychology, Criminal Justice and Law.