Special Topics in Social Psychology: Psychology and the Law

Serious and systematic psychological study of law began in the 1950’s and has continued effectively since then, so that now the partnership of psychology and law is well established across the range of the legal system, including police work, civil and criminal advocacy,  fact-finding and judging, and correctional activities.  In addition to analysis of legal-system activity within psychological categories, there are also direct imports of psycho-social concepts into jurisprudential theorizing, for example the theory of therapeutic jurisprudence.  Our seminar will combine a broad overview of the current state of psychology and law with an opportunity for students to develop a specific topic for a term paper that will constitute a large portion of the work required for the course.  Because the course will convene as a seminar, students will also be expected to contribute significantly to class discussions.