Special Topics: The Intersection of Law and Psychology

1.5 credits · Graduate

This course explores basic and applied psychological research, with a particular focus on their relevance to the law. Drawing from interdisciplinary sources—ranging from social and cognitive psychological research to law reviews—we will examine how jurors, judges, police witnesses, and legal professionals evaluate evidence, make social judgments, form beliefs, and make decisions in legal contexts. Our ultimate goal is to identify what went wrong in real-world cases and how we can improve the legal system. In addition to engaging with academic research, the course emphasizes the application of psychological science to real-world legal problems. We will consider how psychological expertise can inform actual cases, contribute to expert testimony, and guide the development and advocacy of evidence-based interventions and policy reforms. Students will also have opportunities to workshop their own research ideas and develop a methodological toolkit for investigating questions at the intersection of psychology and law.