1. Psychology 496
Introduction to Forensic Psychology
Instructor: Katherine Turner, PhD
Office: LS-105/LS-160
Contact Information: katherine.turner@mail.sdsu.edu
Class Meetings: 10:00am-11:40 am EBA 345
GA Teaching Assistant: Sara Roldan
Contact Information: Roldan.sara.ruth@gmail.com
Office Hours: 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm.
Office: LS- 160
Course Description: As described in the Catalog this course is: PSY 496 - Special Topics in Psychology
Course Design:
A combinationof lecture,classdiscussion,andvideomethodswill be used.The purpose of the mini-
lecturesistothe highlightselectedtopicsfromthe requiredreadingsandtosupplementthismaterial
withrelated,butmore recentdevelopmentsinthe field.Studentsare responsible forall assigned
readings,whetherornot discussedinclass.Classdiscussionsare intendedtoclarifyconceptsandapply
the topicsto life concerns.Selectedvideosare intendedtobringthe studentclosertothe persons
behindthe theoriesandresearchinawaythat lecturesalone donotpermit.
ContentandLearningObjectivesof the Course
This course is intended to introduce students to the wide-ranging field of forensic psychology
and is designed to consider the relationship between psychology and law by showing how
psychological research and theory can inform the legal process. This course will examine the
position and responsibilities of forensic psychologists in police work, criminal investigation,
investigative behavioral analysis, threat assessment, eyewitness identification, school bullying,
mental defenses and competency issues, sexual abuse issues, juvenile forensics and death penalty
cases, and jury selection. Preferred Prerequisite(s): PSY 101, PSY 230, PSY 350
1. Overviewof ForensicPsychology
2. Overviewof core subjectareasin forensicpsychology
3. Overviewof relevantcasesandcase studies.
4. Overviewof selected“interestingideas”in forensicpsychologyastheycontinue toexpress
themselvesincontemporarytheoryandresearch(e.g.the nature-nurture debate).
5. Completionof the SDSUPsychology DepartmentEvaluation(exit) Surveys.
6. Students will also learn how to explain the similarities and differences among the
research methods used by psychologists. (SLO 4.2)
7. Students will be able to identify how sociocultural and international contexts influence
individual differences and outcomes in forensic psychology (SLO 6.3)

2. 8. Students will demonstrate the ability to answer difficult questions clearly and
succinctly; and the ability to present information in a logical, interesting sequence
that audiences can follow (SLO 8.6)
9. Students will apply psychological concepts, theories, and research findings as these
relate to everyday life. (SLO 2.4)
RequiredTextandReading
1. TheHandbookofForensicPsychology,4th EditionbyIrvingB. Weiner,&
RandyK. Otto (ISBN-13:9781118348413)
Blackboardaccess:
https://blackboard.sdsu.edu
You will see the welcomescreenandalogin. Youwill needyourusername/passwordbefore
youcan proceedtothe login.
Course Evaluation
1. Daily ReadingQuizzes(10%) –In class
2. Case inthe MediaPaper (20%)
3. In class lab assignmentsand participation (20%)
4. In class Quizzes/Exams2- exams(20%)
5. ForensicPsychology– Final Exam (30%)
Attendance
Each studentrecordsdailyattendance bycompletionof the dailyquiz(givenatthe
beginningof eachclass).
Inconsistentclassattendance/tardinessimpactsyourfinal grade inthe followingway.
1. Followingtwounexcusedabsences,beginningwiththe thirdunexcusedabsence,5
pointswill be deductedfromyourFinal Total for eachabsence. Inthisclassthis
deductionwill have asubstantialimpactonyourgrade.
2. In addition:“Wheneverthe numberof accumulatedabsencesinaclass,forany cause,
exceedstenpercentof classes(equivalenttoone andone-half weeksof asixteenweek
semestercourse),the facultymembersendsawrittenreporttothe Associate Provost
for AcademicAdministrationwhichmayresultinde-enrollment”(Catalog,p37). That
wouldbe aftertwo (2) unexcusedabsencesinthisclass.
AcademicAccommodations

3. All studentsare expectedtomeetthe standardsforthiscourse as setby the instructor.
However,studentswithlearningdisabilitieswhomayneedaccommodationsshould
discussoptionswiththe instructorduringthe firsttwoweeksof classandprovide
approveddocumentationandverificationof need. The AcademicSupportCenteris
available tostudentsforavarietyof tutorial needs.
NOTE: itis a student’sresponsibilitytomaintainhis/herclassschedule.Shouldthe need
arise to dropthiscourse (personal emergencies,poorperformance,etc.),the student
has the responsibilitytofollow through(providedthe dropdate meetsthe stated
calendardeadline establishedbythe University),notthe instructor. Simplyceasingto
attendthiscourse or failingtofollow throughtoarrange for a change of registration
(drop/add) mayeasilyresultinagrade of F on the official transcript.
Case in the MediaPaperGuidelines: Eachstudentwill chose acurrentor recentlegal
case involvingone ormore of the principlesdiscussedinthe class. The paperwill include
a discussionregardingthe issuesof the case andan analysisof the psychological issues
withinthe case as well asrelevantresearch. The paperwill be ataminimumfive pages
and no longerthansevenpages.The paperwill be gradedbasedonknowledgeof the
topicand case discussed, applicationandcitationof research, organization,language,
grammar and APA format.
TOPIC Assignment Due
5/23M Introduction/Syllabus and History
Defining Forensic Psychology
5/23
Chapter 1
5/24 Ethics and Training in Forensic
Psychology
5/24 Chapter 2
5/25 Child Custody/Parenting, Child
Abuse and Neglect Evaluations
5/25 Chapters 4 & 5
5/26 In Class-Lab and then complete
on-line forensic experiment
5/26 Chapter 6 & 10
Complete online forensic
experiment today
Quizzes on Chapter 1,2,4 and
5
5/30M Memorial Day Holiday 5/27 No CLASS
5/31 Personal Injury Assessment 5/28 Chapter 7
6/1 Civil Competency 6/1 Chapter 9

4. 6/2 Quiz 1 -40 pts 6/2
6/6 Competency to Stand Trial 6/3 Chapter 11
6/7 Assessing Criminal Responsibility,
Diminished Capacity and Specific
Intent
6/7 Chapter 12, 13
6/8 Assessing Violence Risk 6/8 Chapters 14
6/9 In Class Lab 6/9
6/13 Eyewitness Testimony of Adults
and Children
6/13 Chapter 17, 18
6/14 Jessica Mueller Guest Speaker
Cyber terrorism and terrorism on
social media/internet
6/14 Read Silke article from
relevant articles folder.
6/15 Evaluating and Assisting Jury
Competence
6/15 Chapter 16
6/16 Quiz 2 – 40 pts 6/16
6/20 No class –Finalize paper and turn
it in using plagiarism check
6/20 Case in the Media Paper Due
6/21 Writing Forensic Reports 6/21 Chapter 21
6/22 Testifying in Court 6/22 Chapter 22
6/23 In Class Lab- Writing Forensic
Reports
6/23 Chapter 21
6/27 Shelby Moreira Guest Speaker
Juror attitudes toward juvenile sex
offenders and Treating Criminal
Offenders
6/27 Chapter 24 and 25
6/28 Correctional Psychology and
Assisting Law Enforcement
6/28 Chapter 15, 23
6/29 Victimization 6/29
6/30 Quiz 3- 40 pts (Final Exam) 6/30
Note: Some topics may be moved to a later date to accommodate course changes. However, project
due dates will not be changed. You will receive an e-mail when a revised syllabus has been posted.
It is your responsibility to download updates.