Psychology 2032B-001 (Online for 2020-21)

The Psychology of Crime and Corrections

If there is a discrepancy between the outline posted below and the outline posted on the OWL course website, the latter shall prevail.

1.0    CALENDAR DESCRIPTION

This course introduces students to a broad range of issues in forensic psychology. Topics include detecting deception, eyewitness testimony, investigative interviewing, roles and responsibilities, offender profiling, correctional psychology, risk assessment, victims of crime, and fitness to stand trial. A focus will be on critical thinking, skepticism, argument, and confronting assumptions. 

ANTIREQUISITES: Psychology 2031A/B, Psychology 3313A/B 

Antirequisites are courses that overlap sufficiently in content that only one can be taken for credit. So if you take a course that is an antirequisite to a course previously taken, you will lose credit for the earlier course, regardless of the grade achieved in the most recent course.

3 lecture hours, 0.5 course 

2.0    COURSE INFORMATION

Instructor:Dr. John Campbell 

Office and Phone Number: SSC 7440 

Office Hours: TBD 

Email: jcampb7@uwo.ca 

 

Teaching Assistant: Matthew Brown 

Office:TBA 

Office Hours:TBA 

Email:  mbrow253@uwo.ca 

 

Time and Location of Classes:   Lectures will be pre-recorded and uploaded on Tuesdays & Thursday 

                                                                                   

Students who are in emotional/mental distress should refer to Mental Health@Western

http://www.uwo.ca/uwocom/mentalhealth/ for a complete list of options about how to obtain help.

Please contact the course instructor if you require material in an alternate format or if you require any other arrangements to make this course more accessible to you. You may also wish to contact Student Accessibility Services (formerly known as Services for Students with Disabilities) at 519-661-2147.

3.0  TEXTBOOK

Pozzulo, Bennell, & Forth (2017). Forensic Psychology (5th Ed.) Pearson/Prentice-Hall, Toronto 

  

This textbook is available in print or electronic versions 

  

This textbook is available at campus libraries  

 

4.0    COURSE OBJECTIVES

This course introduces students to a broad range of issues in the area of forensic psychology. The objective of the course is to guide students in becoming better consumers of information about crime, trials, punishment versus rehabilitation, incarceration, etc. A particular focus of this course will be on the discrepancy between common lay-person beliefs about crime and what is supported in empirical literature. Given this, a particular emphasis will be placed on critical thinking, skepticism, argument, and confronting assumptions. Topics include detecting deception, eyewitness testimony, investigative interviewing, role and responsibilities, offender profiling, correctional psychology, risk assessment, victims of crime, not criminally responsible and fitness to stand trial. 

   4.1    STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES 

This course is designed to assist students in understanding the intersection of psychology and the criminal justice system.  In pursuit of this goal, we will examine various topics including factors that affect eyewitness accuracy; factors that contribute to false confessions; factors that contribute to criminality and violent crime specifically as well as many other areas.  This will be accomplished over 12 weeks of lectures, textbook readings, and supplemental readings.  Evaluation will consist of two multiple choice online, asynchronous midterms and an online final exam.  

 

 

Learning Outcome  

Learning Activity  

Assessment 

Depth and Breadth of Knowledge.  

Identify key concepts, principals, and overarching themes relevant to forensic psychology. 

 

Lectures, additional online resources, and required readings 

Mid-term and final tests involving MC questions 

Knowledge of Methodologies.  

Identify key concepts, principals, and overarching themes relevant to forensic psychology. 

 

Lectures, additional online resources, and required readings 

Mid-term and final tests involving MC questions 

Application of Knowledge.  

Apply concepts and theories in forensic psychology to develop critical thinking to become better consumers of information as it relates to psychology and crime. 

 

Lectures, additional online resources, and required readings 

Mid-term and final tests involving MC questions 

Communication Skills.  

Identify and convey concepts and theories in forensic psychology to develop critical thinking to become better consumers of information as it relates to psychology and crime. 

Lectures, additional online resources, and required readings 

Mid-term and final tests involving MC questions 

Awareness of Limits of Knowledge. 

Identify and think critically about weaknesses in forensic psychology both clinically and in research. 

 

Lectures, additional online resources, and required readings 

Mid-term and final tests involving MC questions 

Autonomy and Professional Capacity. 

Recognize areas of research and identify needed next steps in developing a greater understanding of the issues surrounding forensic psychology. 

Lectures, additional online resources, and required readings 

Mid-term and final tests involving MC questions 

 

5.0     EVALUATION

Evaluation is based on two (2) midterm exams. The midterm exams will each be worth 30% of the final grade. They will consist of 75-80 multiple choice questions selected from lecture material, textbook material, and supplemental readings. The final exam will be non-cumulative. The final exam will cover lecture material, textbook material, and supplemental readings covered after the second Mid-Term and will consist of 100 multiple choice questions.  

 

Please note that the exams will be asynchronously, and linear (meaning you can NOT go back once you answer a question). They will not be proctored and you can have access to your notes.  

 

The final exam is worth 40% of the final grade 

 

Midterm examination #1: (30%) 

 

Midterm examination #2: (30%) 

 

Final Examination: (40%) 

 

Although the Psychology Department does not require instructors to adjust their course grades to conform to specific targets, the expectation is that course marks will be distributed around the following averages:

70%     1000-level and 2000-level courses
72%     2190-2990 level courses
75%     3000-level courses
80%     4000-level courses
   
The Psychology Department follows Western's grading guidelines, which are as follows (see http://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/academic_policies/general/grades_undergrad.pdf):

A+  90-100      One could scarcely expect better from a student at this level
A    80-89        Superior work that is clearly above average
B    70-79        Good work, meeting all requirements, and eminently satisfactory
C    60-69        Competent work, meeting requirements
D    50-59        Fair work, minimally acceptable
F    below 50    Fail


6.0  ASSESSMENT/EVALUATION SCHEDULE

The first midterm will be held online on Thursday February 11th, 2021 and will cover the lectures, text book readings, and supplemental readings from January 12th until February 10th inclusive. 

 

The second midterm will be held online on Thursday March 18th, 2021 and will cover the lectures, text book readings, and supplemental readings from February 12th until March 17th inclusive. 

 

  

The Final Exam will be during the final exam period, TBA, April 14-30, 2021, and will cover course material including lectures, textbook readings and supplemental readings from February 24th to the end of the semester. 

  

 

Remember: Exams will cover lecture material, textbook readings, and supplemental readings. 

 

Missed exams: If you are sick or absent for either the mid-terms or final exam you will need to gain approval either through academic counselling in your home faculty or use a self-reported absence (midterms only) to sit a make-up exam.  

 

Please note: we do not "round" course grades up for any reason (e.g., 79.4 will not be rounded to 80%) 

 

7.0   CLASS SCHEDULE

Date 

Week 

Topic 

Reading(s) 

  

January 12 

  

1 

  

Introduction and Welcome to Psychology of Crime and Corrections 

  

  

  

Chapter 1 

  

January 19 

  

  

2 

  

Criminal Profiling  

  

Chapter 3 

  

January 26 

  

  

3 

  

Profiling / Interrogations  

  

Chapter 3 

Chapter 4 

February 2 

  

  

4 

  

Interrogations & Eyewitnesses  

  

Chapter 4 & 5 

 

  

  

February 11 

  

  

5 

  

Midterm #1 

  

Chapters 1, 3, 4,5 

  

  

February 15 - 19 

  

6 

  

Reading Week 

  

  

 

  

February 23 

  

7 

  

  

Criminal Responsibility 

  

Chapter 8 

  

March 2 

  

8 

  

  

  

Sentencing & Parole  

  

Chapter 9 

  

March 9 

  

9 

  

Homicidal Offenders   

  

Chapter 15 

 

  

  

March 18 

  

  

10 

  

Midterm #2  

  

Chapter 8, 9. 15 

 

 

  

March 23 

  

  

11 

 

 Psychopathy & Psychopathic  Offenders  

  

Chapter 11 

  

  

March 30 

  

  

12 

 

 Psychopaths & Sex Offenders  

  

Chapter 11 & 14 

  

  

April 6 

  

  

13 

  

Sex Offenders & Domestic violence 

  

Chapter 14 & 13 

8.0     STATEMENT ON ACADEMIC OFFENCES

Students are responsible for understanding the nature and avoiding the occurrence of plagiarism and other scholastic offenses. Plagiarism and cheating are considered very serious offenses because they undermine the integrity of research and education. Actions constituting a scholastic offense are described at the following link:  http://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/academic_policies/appeals/scholastic_discipline_undergrad.pdf

As of Sept. 1, 2009, the Department of Psychology will take the following steps to detect scholastic offenses. All multiple-choice tests and exams will be checked for similarities in the pattern of responses using reliable software, and records will be made of student seating locations in all tests and exams. All written assignments will be submitted to TurnItIn, a service designed to detect and deter plagiarism by comparing written material to over 5 billion pages of content located on the Internet or in TurnItIn’s databases. All papers submitted for such checking will be included as source documents in the reference database for the purpose of detecting plagiarism of papers subsequently submitted to the system. Use of the service is subject to the licensing agreement, currently between Western and Turnitin.com http://www.turnitin.com

Computer-marked multiple-choice tests and/or exams may be subject to submission for similarity review by software that will check for unusual coincidences in answer patterns that may indicate cheating.

Possible penalties for a scholastic offense include failure of the assignment, failure of the course, suspension from the University, and expulsion from the University.



9.0    POLICY ON ACCOMMODATION FOR MEDICAL ILLNESS

Western’s policy on Accommodation for Medical Illness can be found at:
http://www.westerncalendar.uwo.ca/PolicyPages.cfm?PolicyCategoryID=1&Command=showCategory&SelectedCalendar=Live&ArchiveID=#Page_12

 

The full policy for consideration for absences can be accessed at: https://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/academic_policies/appeals/Academic_Consideration_for_absences.pdf


Students must see the Academic Counsellor and submit all required documentation in order to be approved for certain accommodation:
http://counselling.ssc.uwo.ca/procedures/medical_accommodation.html

 

If you experience an extenuating circumstance (e.g., illness, injury) sufficiently significant to temporarily make you unable to meet academic requirements, you may request accommodation through the following routes:

  1. Submitting a Self-Reported Absence form (for circumstances that are expected to resolve within 48 hours);
  2. For medical absences, submitting a Student Medical Certificate (SMC) signed by a licensed medical or mental health practitioner in order to be eligible for Academic Consideration;

For non-medical absences, submitting appropriate documentation (e.g., obituary, police report, accident report, court order, etc.) to Academic Counselling in their Faculty of registration in order to be eligible for academic consideration. Students are encouraged to contact their Academic Counselling unit to clarify what documentation is appropriate.

Students must see the Academic Counsellor and submit all required documentation in order to be approved for certain accommodation. The self-reported absence form may NOT be used for absences longer than 48 hours; coursework/tests/exams/etc., worth more than 30% of the final grade; or exams scheduled in the December or April final-exam periods: http://counselling.ssc.uwo.ca/procedures/medical_accommodation.html

Students seeking academic consideration:

  • are advised to consider carefully the implications of postponing tests or midterm exams or delaying handing in work;  
  • are encouraged to make appropriate decisions based on their specific circumstances, recognizing that minor ailments (upset stomach) or upsets (argument with a friend) are not normally an appropriate basis for a self-reported absence;

must communicate with their instructors no later than 24 hours after the end of the period covered by either the self-reported absence or SMC, or immediately upon their return following a documented absence



10.0        OTHER INFORMATION

Office of the Registrar web site:  http://registrar.uwo.ca

Student Development Services web site: http://www.sdc.uwo.ca

Please see the Psychology Undergraduate web site for information on the following:

    http://psychology.uwo.ca/undergraduate/student_responsibilities/index.html

- Policy on Cheating and Academic Misconduct
- Procedures for Appealing Academic Evaluations
- Policy on Attendance
- Policy Regarding Makeup Exams and Extensions of Deadlines
- Policy for Assignments
- Short Absences
- Extended Absences
- Documentation
- Academic Concerns
- 2020-2021 Calendar References

No electronic devices, including cell phones and smart watches, will be allowed during exams.

Copyright Statement: Lectures and course materials, including power point presentations, outlines, and similar materials, are protected by copyright. You may take notes and make copies of course materials for your own educational use. You may not record lectures, reproduce (or allow others to reproduce), post or distribute lecture notes, wiki material, and other course materials publicly and/or for commercial purposes without the instructor’s written consent.