Course Syllabus
Forensic Psychology- Summer |
 |
| Semester & Location: |
Summer 2025- Session 1 - DIS Stockholm |
| Credits: |
3 credits |
| Major Disciplines: |
Psychology, Criminology/Criminal justice, Sociology |
| Prerequisite: |
One psychology course at university level. |
| Faculty Members: |
Sara Hellqvist Bailey (current students please use the Canvas Inbox) |
| Program Contact: |
Department email address psy.cns@dis.dk |
| Time & Place: |
See course schedule for details Room: E-508 Time: 9:00-12:00 (except for 22nd of May, this day we start at 12:00) |
Course Description
Prerequisite: A course in psychology at the university level.
What makes people commit crime? Are there gender differences? What is the role of memory? How are assessments and interventions conducted with those convicted of a serious crime, or those who have been the victim of a crime? Forensic psychology will be explored from individual to societal levels, with critical analysis of and examples from a European perspective.
This course will provide a detailed overview of current research issues and theories in forensic psychology. The goal of this course is to introduce you to some representative areas of forensic psychology and to teach you how psychology research contributes to the legal system. You will be introduced to the methods used by forensic psychologists to prevent crimes by exploring a number of studies devoted to topics related to forensic psychology.
This course will give you a sense of what forensic psychologists have discovered, how they have made these discoveries, and how it contributes to the legal system.
You will be introduced to and acquire knowledge about the following topics related to the study of forensic psychology:
- The comparison of legal system: USA vs. Nordic countries
- Victimology
- Eyewitness
- Deception detection
- False confessions
- Interrogative techniques
- Juries and decision making
Learning Objectives
- Introduce specific forensic psychological and criminological concepts, theories, and research that interface with legal systems.
- Critically evaluate the benefit of forensic psychological and criminological knowledge and analyses, understand and apply this knowledge in order to suggest solutions to judicial system.
- Develop critical analysis skills towards understanding of the criminal justice system.
- Develop academic writing skills and capability of communicating academic material to the public.
Faculty
Sara Hellqvist Bailey
MPhil, Dept. of Psychology, Stockholm University. PhD candidate in criminology, Dept. of Criminology, Stockholm University. Research areas: wrongful convictions, access-to-justice. With DIS since 2025.
Readings
1. Required Textbook (E-book):
Julian, R., Howes, L., & White, R. (2021). Critical Forensic Studies. Routledge.
2. Required Articles and Other Media on Canvas:
Christie, N. (1986). The ideal victim. In From crime policy to victim policy: Reorienting the justice system (pp. 17-30). London: Palgrave Macmillan UK.
DeLisi, M. (2001). Extreme career criminals. American Journal of Criminal Justice, 25, 239-252.
Frieze, I. H., Hymer, S., & Greenberg, M. S. (1987). Describing the crime victim: Psychological reactions to victimization. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 18(4), 299.
Gibbons, D. C. (1983). Mundane crime. Crime & Delinquency, 29(2), 213-227.
Jackson, J. (2009). A psychological perspective on vulnerability in the fear of crime. Psychology, Crime & Law, 15(4), 365-390.
LaChance, D., & Kaplan, P. (2020). Criminal justice in the middlebrow imagination: The punitive dimensions of Making a Murderer. Crime, media, culture, 16(1), 81-96.
Sahlin Lilja, H. (2024). Fear of Crime as a Punitive Project—The Swedish Case. Critical Criminology, 1-18.
Schclarek Mulinari, L. (2025). Sweden’s race to the bottom: Advancing a racial security state. Race & Class, 66(3), 17-34
Tomlin, J., & Völlm, B. (2022). Marginalisation and diversity in forensic mental health care: An introduction. In Diversity and Marginalisation in Forensic Mental Health Care (pp. 3-8). Routledge.
Vallano, J. P., & Compo, N. S. (2011). A comfortable witness is a good witness: Rapport‐building and susceptibility to misinformation in an investigative mock‐crime interview. Applied cognitive psychology, 25(6), 960-970.
Warner, S. (2015). Forensic psychology: Clinical and critical. In Handbook of Critical Psychology (pp. 96-103). Routledge.
Weiss, K. G. (2021). Crime witness accounts. Theoretical Criminology, 25(4), 663-681.
Field Studies
Field study 1 - Witch Walk
Description: Travel back in time and explore the perhaps original "Miscarriage of Justice" phenomenon - the witch hunt and the following trials.
Objectives: Placing criminal justice in a historical perspective and start to critically explore the concept of criminalization and punishment and its consequences for the targeted individuals, and to question to what extent justice always is just.
Field study 2 - Stockholm Prison Island
Description: Visit the location Langholmen where Sweden’s biggest and probably most famous prison was located and active during 250 years, until 1975.
Objectives: To learn about role of punishment and pains of imprisonment by exploring the concepts in the context of history.
Field study 3 TBA
Guest Lecturers
Erika Hedlund is a PhD candidate and lecturer in criminology. Her main area of research includes prisoners experiences of being imprisoned with a focus on gendered pains of imprisonment.
Claes Lernestedt is a Professor in Criminal Law with an interest in legal philosophy and various interdisciplinary aspects of criminal law.
Approach to Teaching
My goal as a teacher is to stimulate you to think critically about the concept of crime and the criminal justice system - and the different arenas and actors within that setting - by familiarize you with a selection of theories and concepts, to help you explore their relevance in today´s society and their macro- and micro level implications. A variety of teaching methods will be used, including lectures, case studies, class discussions, group presentations, interactive classroom activities and multi-media. My role is not to present a mountain of facts for you to learn by heart, but rather to introduce a toolbox for critically thinking about crime and the criminal justice system. Together we will explore the field of forensic psychology and learn to problematize its containing elements.
Expectations of the Students
You are expected to :
- Take an active and participatory role by being involved in discussion, asking questions and completing assignments.
- Work both individually and in groups.
- Treat each other with respect, and be tolerant to different opinions.
- Be willing to take an academic approach to difficult and emotional subjects.
Please note the following rules:
- Hand in assignments on time.
- Complete all readings prior to class.
- This course will rely heavily on the Canvas system, and you will be responsible for checking updated information on Canvas.
- Be punctual and attend all classes; missing classes without a legitimate excuse will result in a lower final grade.
- Notify the instructor in case of illness or any other absence from class or field studies.
- The use of recording devices are not allowed, unless permission has been granted from the relevant academic member of staff.
Evaluation
A number of diverse tasks will be given throughout the semester to address the learning objectives. Emphasis will be on engaged participation, and may include individual and/or group based written/oral tasks. Projects may be given that will explore topics experientially.
To be eligible for a passing grade in this class you must complete all of the assigned work.
Grading
| Methods of Evaluation |
How is it evaluated? (Individual or group) |
Due Date |
Percent |
|
Engaged participation |
Individual | Ongoing |
60% |
|
Paper 1: Wrongful Conviction Case Study |
Individual |
See Calendar |
20% |
| Paper 2: Trial by TikTok |
Individual |
See Calendar |
20% |
|
Total |
|
|
100% |
Engaged Participation (60%):
Participation in class requires arriving on time and being prepared in relation to readings, assignments, and class-reading presentations. Your participation grade reflects the significance of being active in this course, which heavily relies on reflections, discussions, and in-class and out-of-class exercises. Active participation is crucial in both the classroom, during field studies, and in group work. Attendance is mandatory.
In order to be exempt from the absence penalty you need to: 1. email the faculty at least 2 hours before the class. 2. make up the excused absence by writing a 2 page summary of the assigned readings for the missed class.
Paper 1: Wrongful Conviction Case Study (20%)
You will select a wrongful conviction case and write an analytical paper (4 pages) on the reasons behind the wrongful outcome by attending to the following questions: What went wrong? What are the implications? What can be done to prevent similar outcomes in the future? The analysis needs to be grounded in relevant theory and research.
Paper 2: Trial by TikTok (20%)
You will write an analytical paper (4 pages) based on the Netflix docuseries Heard vs. Depp trial, also known as "Trial by TikTok". You will analyse the trial from the four block perspectives we have been covering in class (the law/the criminalized/the victimized/the audience) and apply relevant concepts and problematise these concepts, based on theory and research.
Detailed assignment descriptions and/or rubrics will be made available on Assignments on Canvas and/or in class.
Policy on use of AI tools: Limited use allowed. The use of AI writing tools like ChatGPT in this course is restricted to specific stages such as brainstorming and making research plans or outlines. The primary content of assignments should reflect your knowledge, creativity, and critical thinking. As with all sources of information and ideas, ensure that all AI contributions are correctly cited.
Academic Accommodations
If you have approved academic accommodations with DIS, please make sure I receive your DIS accommodations letter within two weeks from the start of classes. If you can think of other ways I can support your learning, please don't hesitate to talk to me. If you have any further questions about your academic accommodations, contact Academic Support acadsupport@disstockholm.se
Academic Regulations
Please make sure to read the Academic Regulations on the DIS website. There you will find regulations on:
DIS - Study Abroad in Scandinavia - www.DISabroad.org
Course Layout
See Calendar for lecture dates and assigned readings. Please observe: if a lecture is cancelled due to illness, an assignment will be distributed to students to make up for the cancelled lecture.
Introduction
Meeting 1
Course orientation: On the very idea of "Forensic Psychology".
Field Study 1: Witch Walk.
Block 1 - The Law
Meeting 2
Lecture & workshop: The good, the bad, and the ugly pt.1.
Meeting 3
Guest Lecture Prof. Lernestedt
Lecture & workshop: The good, the bad, and the ugly pt.2.
Meeting 4
Workshop: Wrongful convictions. Writing and consultation.
Block 2 - The Criminalized
Meeting 5
Lecture and workshop: Crimes of the many, and crimes of the few. + Crimes of the poor, and crimes of the powerful.
Meeting 6
Guest Lecture PhD Candidate Erika Hedlund.
Movie time: Trial by TikTok pt.1.
Meeting 7
Field study 2: Prison Island.
Block 3 - The Victimized
Meeting 8
Lecture and workshop: The multifaceted face of victimhood.
Meeting 9
Lecture and workshop: Consequences of victimization.
Meeting 10
Lecture and workshop: Fear of crime
Movie time: Trial by TikTok pt.2.
Block 4 - The Audience
Meeting 11
Lecture and workshop: Witnessing crime.
Meeting 12
Lecture and workshop: Crime as entertainment.
Meeting 13
Movie time: Trial by TikTok pt.3.
Writing and consultation.
Outroduction
Meeting 14
Class wrap-up + Concluding lunch.
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|