Course participation [20%]

We learn best through active engagement with the course material, the instructor, and even with our peers. Like all other courses, there is the basic expectation that you must attend class prepared. This means keeping up with your readings, marking out content that you wish to discuss or clarify, and being ready to share meaningful thoughts and views. You will, from time to time, be assigned either prep assignments (to be done before a seminar) or homework (to be completed after a seminar to help reinforce the key points covered). These assignments are not designed to be lengthy or to require further research beyond your assignment readings. Psychologists recognise that the more vocal ones among us may be more comfortable speaking out in class while other who are more reserved may participate less. If you belong to the latter group, working on prep work or homework and turning them in to the instructor is also a viable way of securing a good course participation grade! If you wish to depend on actively sharing your views (constructively, of course) in class, that’s fine as well!

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Individual research paper [30%]

You will be asked to write a research paper of at most 2,000 words based on a topic assigned by the instructor. The topic will not be one that is covered in class, This means you must conduct research beyond the course readings, assimilate your findings, amalgamate them, and articulate cogent views. The topic will be made available in Week 4 and the research paper will be due in Week 11.

 

Final exam [50%]

The final exam will require you to apply what they have learned in the course to simulated real-world scenarios. You will need to integrate the psychological content you have learned with your knowledge of case law, legislation, and legal principles to answer a hypothetical question. You will most likely be asked to answer the question from the perspective of a practicing lawyer or a judge. The exam may also include essay questions.