Illinois School of Professional Psychology

PP 8624 Criminal Psychology and Law Spring 2010

INSTRUCTOR: Kathleen M. O’Brien, Ph.D., ABPP

PHONE: 312.777.7691

EMAIL: [email protected]

ALT PHONE: 708 507 4216 REQUIRED TEXTS:

Title Handbook of Psychology, Vol. 11: Forensic Psychology Author(s) Goldstein (2003

Publisher Guilford ISBN Edition 1st

This Course Requires the Purchase of a Course Packet: YES NO 2 Criminal Forensic Psychology

Argosy University COURSE SYLLABUS PP 8624 Criminal Psychology and Law Spring 2010

Faculty Information Faculty name: Kathleen O’Brien, Ph.D. Campus: Chicago Contact info: 312-777-7691—on campus 708-507-4216—leave a message and I will return your call [email protected] [email protected] Office hours: by appointment. Tuesday: 8am.-10am. Wednesday: 8am. to noon Thursdays: 8am. to 2pm. Other times can be scheduled upon request.

Texts:

All of these texts are available from Amazon and other discount book sources

Barak, G., et al. (2001). Class, race, gender, and crime: social realities of justice in America. Los Angeles: Roxbury.

Barsky, A.E &Gould, J. W. (2002). Clinicians in court. New York: Guilford.

*** (required) Goldstein, A. & Weiner, B. (2003). Handbook of psychology. Volume 11: Forensic psychology. New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons.

Hare, R.D. (1993). Without conscience. New York: Guilford.

Katz, L. et.al. (1999). Foundations of criminal law. New York: Foundation Press.

Kupers, T. (1999). Prison madness: the mental health crisis behind bars and what we must do about it. San Francisco: Joss-Bass.

***(required) Melton, G. et al. (2007) Forensic evaluations for the courts. (3rd ed.). New York: Guilford.

Millon, T. (1998). Psychopathy: antisocial, criminal, and violent behavior. (will provide the full citation in class) 3 Criminal Forensic Psychology

Samenow, S. (1984). Inside the criminal mind. Out of Publication. Available from Amazon.com

Purpose/Overview of Course

This is a three credit hour course, the purpose of which is to examine the subspecialty of criminal forensic psychology within the field of forensic psychology. This specialty field is at the core of the relationship between the criminal justice system, both courts and law enforcement, and the field of psychology. Judges rely heavily upon experts in forensic psychology to inform them about psychological matters in criminal cases. Furthermore, the larger questions about criminal thinking, criminal behavior, crime prevention, the death penalty, and violence prediction are central issues for the practicing forensic psychologist.

We will cover major areas of criminal law and criminal psychology addressed by clinical psychologists who specialize in forensics as well as legal issues that directly pertain to the practice of criminal forensic psychology. While forensic psychologists are not required to be lawyers (and should be careful not to cross that boundary no matter how tempting), our ethical standards specific to the practice of forensic psychology require that we are familiar with court proceedings, statutes, and courtroom culture.

Course Objectives

1. Process Objectives to expose students to criminal forensic psychology with an emphasis on issues of validation for all psychological involvement and, in particular, psychometrically sound assessment findings with attention to the impact of diversity factors in the criminal justice system –Goal 1b, 1c, 3, 4, 5 to expose students to legal and ethical issues directly relevant to clinical practice in criminal forensic psychology—Goal 5 to explore issues of diversity and related discrimination in the criminal justice system--- Goal 1b, 1c, 3, 4, 5 to provide guidance to individual students regarding their decision to pursue a career in criminal forensic psychology—Goal 5

2. Outcome Objective

Students will learn the current, relevant issues involved in the interface of psychology and law as it applies to criminal psychology. Progress and mastery will be measured by active class participation and by group projects and papers. See requirements below. 4 Criminal Forensic Psychology

Class Schedule

Week Topic Readings Week One: overview of course, student interests

Week Two: crime and Suggested Readings: psychopathology//nature/nu pertinent readings in rture Barak, Katz, Kupers

Week Three: the world’s best judicial system Suggested Readings: and its inherent unfairness; pertinent readings in prisons as mental asylums Barak, Katz, Kupers Week Four: psychopathy and antisocial Suggested Readings: personalities pertinent readings in Millon, Miethe Week Five: psychopathy and antisocial personalities continued Week Six: dangerousness and violence Suggested Readings: prediction pertinent readings in Millon (Melton is an excellent resource for this topic) Week Seven: sex offenders: what we think Suggested Readings: we know Melton

Week Eight: prison and correctional Suggested Readings: psychology: different mandate, pertinent readings in different specialty Barak, Kupers Week Nine: competency from Miranda to Suggested Readings: the death penalty pertinent readings in Millon, Melton Week Ten: court testimony Suggested Readings: Melton, Barsky Week Eleven: stalking, domestic violence Suggested Readings: look for Meloy, Monahan Week Twelve: treatment of criminal offenders Suggested Readings: within and without the system Sameno Week Thirteen: Group Presentations Suggested Readings: as assigned by your colleagues Week Fourteen: Group Presentations Suggested Readings: as assigned by your colleagues 5 Criminal Forensic Psychology

Course Requirements:

Attendance at all classes is mandatory and two points will be deducted from your final grade with your first absence unless excused by highly unusual circumstances Two absences will result in a full letter grade deduction. More than two absences will result in failure of the course.

Grading:

The outcome objective for this course will be measured as follows.

50%: research and projects: Students will work in groups or individually (your choice.) Your group project must discuss some aspect of the field of forensic criminal psychology beyond our class discussion and must be scholarly in its development. Papers and projects will be graded on thoroughness, organization, full development of relevant issues, and adequate citation supplemented by your own original ideas regarding your subject, as well as creativity and involvement of your peers. Presentations can take the form of videos with discussion, debates and discussion, small group tasks with discussion, or another creative idea. Please present your group’s plan for your project by Week Four. Each student in the group will be responsible for submitting a process paper on your personal reflections about your project. All presentations require an outline and bibliography be provided to all class members. (Assessment of Goal 3, 4, 5)

10%: All class members will be required to attend a criminal court proceeding. You may choose the circuit jurisdiction closest to you (for example Cook [26th and California], Dupage, Lake, Will, or Kane County courts) or you may choose to attend a federal trial in the Dirksen Building downtown. For purposes of this assignment, you must attend either a full morning or full afternoon, but if you are interested in a particular outcome which takes the entire day or longer, you may choose to attend the entire trial. After you have attended court, you are to write a brief reflection paper on your impressions of the process. We will discuss this more in class. I will provide you with a letter outlining the purpose of your attendance and requesting permission for your attendance. Some jurisdictions want these. Others do not. Only rarely should you encounter a trial which is not open, but should that happen, you will need to choose another court or trial. Assessment of Goals 3, 4)

40%: class participation. This is an interactive class. You are expected to complete the readings, as well as independent readings, and be ready to discuss them at each class. Participation includes knowledgeable responses based upon readings, cogent questions, and creative and original commentary regarding the subject matter being discussed. Your areas of interest or disagreement with current thinking are welcome into our discussions, in keeping with scholarly doctoral level learning. Part of doctoral education is learning from your colleagues as well as from your professors. Each week you are to submit a brief (1-2 pages) summary and critique of an independent article you have reviewed on that’s week’s topic. (Assessment of Goals 1b, 1c, 3, 4, 5) 6 Criminal Forensic Psychology

Class format:

I will lecture each week as a stimulus to your discussion. You will be expected to be familiar with the topic assigned and to contribute actively to discussion of the topics covered. You are also responsible for seeking out independent readings and bringing them to class for discussion. The overview schedule provided above is flexible, and somewhat based upon the wishes of the students. Since this class is an elective, the class can elect to spend more or less time on given topics and the schedule can be adjusted accordingly.

Disability Statement

It is the policy of the Argosy University, Chicago Campus to make reasonable accommodations for qualified students with disability, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If a student with disabilities needs accommodations to complete the instructor’s course requirements, the student must notify the Director of Student Services. Procedure for documenting student disability and the development of reasonable accommodation will be provided to students upon request. Students will be notified by the Director of Student Services when each request for accommodation is approved or denied in writing via designated form. It is the student’s responsibility to present the form (at his or her discretion) to the instructor in order to receive the requested accommodation in class. In an effort to protect student privacy, Student Services will not discuss the accommodation needs of any student with the instructors.

Academic Dishonesty/Plagiarism Statement The University seeks to foster a spirit of honesty and integrity. Any work submitted by a student must represent original work produced by that student. Any source used by the student must be documented through normal scholarly references and citations, and the extent to which any sources have been used must be apparent to the reader. The University further considers resubmission of a work produced for one course or the submission of work done partially or entirely by another to be academic dishonesty. It is the student’s responsibility to seek clarification from the course instructor about how much help may be received in completing an assignment or exam or project and what sources may be used. Students found guilty of academic dishonesty or plagiarism shall be subject to disciplinary action up to and including dismissal from the University.