This course systematically explores the effectiveness of the law and justice system from a psychological perspective. By experiencing a fictional case first hand, you will learn about the psychology of law and some of the misconceptions commonly held about criminal justice.
Overview
Syllabus
EPISODE 1: INVESTIGATING THE CRIME SCENE
A murder has been committed. In this episode, find out about criminal profiling and how this might be used in investigating the crime. EPISODE 2:
INTERVIEWING THE WITNESSES
How reliable are eyewitnesses, and how can their memory of the crime be distorted? Learn about the encoding, storage and retrieval of eyewitness memories and ways these can be improved.
EPISODE 3: IDENTIFYING THE SUSPECT
Photofits and line-ups are commonly used during crime investigations, and in this episode you will learn about how biases related to these can be recognized and reduced.
EPISODE 4: QUESTIONING THE SUSPECT
How reliable are confessions? Can you identify when someone is lying? In this episode the investigators question the suspect and try to work out who is the guilty party.
EPISODE 5: GETTING READY FOR TRIAL
The investigators think they have identified the murderer. Who decides whether someone is found guilty or not guilty? Does jury selection work? What part might media coverage play in how the case trial progresses?
EPISODE 6: THE TRIAL (PART 1)
The jury has been selected and the trial commences. In this episode the evidence is presented and we hear about expert evidence and its reliability.
EPISODE 7: THE TRIAL (PART 2)
The jury need to make a decision on the case. You will learn about judicial instructions and how juries deliberate.
EPISODE 8: EPILOGUE
Did the investigators get the right person? Find out how it all ends in this final episode.
Taught by
Mark Horswill and Blake McKimmie
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Reviews
4.8 rating, based on 16 Class Central reviews
4.4 rating at edX based on 15 ratings
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This was one of the best courses that I have taken so far. I love the layout and the information was given direct and in an interesting way. This is a must take course for everyone.
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Absolutely loved everything about this course. Great way to learn using different mediums (video story, video lectures with transcripts to assist with note-taking, short quizzes, group discussions). The material was kept to a manageable couple of hours per week (maybe a bit longer) and the 'exams' were well written and unambiguous (and I have done other courses where that is not the case). The 'drama' was very interesting/suspenseful. I learnt so much about the justice system - the main thing I discovered is that you should always get a good lawyer as so many things can go against a person after being arrested.
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It was a really nice course and quite distinctive from other MOOCs in the way it was structured. Generally, the courses are made interesting by filling lectures with engaging content and exercises. This particular MOOC took it to next step by having…
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I really enjoyed this course. It was difficult enough to be challenging but not too daunting. I found all the identifying of evidence interesting but hard to remember without going back to revisit module.
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I well and truly enjoyed this course!
I have always been interested in things like this so it was good to be able to get a taste of it. Mark, Blake and Barbra all did a fantastic job in delivering this course. -
Very interesting look at how psychology plays a role in crime and justice. Easy method for learning. Lots of additional resources provided.
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I've completed the course this week. Really, really interesting. The use of videos like a fiction tv it's been a genius touch.
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Gina Beaton -
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