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Canyon College

online Psychological Evaluation, Consultation and Testimony course at Canyon College forensic psychology department

COURSE SYLLABUS: Psychological Evaluation, Consultation and Testimony

Course Title: PY593 - Psychological Evaluation, Consultation and Testimony
Department: Social and Behavioral Sciences
Instructor: George Wolford, Ph.D., E-Mail -- Vita
Credentials: B.S. Behavioral Science, M.A. Counseling Psychology
Ph.D. Clinical Psychology, Ph.D. Community Psychology
Email: wolford@canyoncollege.edu

Office Hours

For office hours, I use AIM Messenger, my AIM name is GeoWolford.
To download AOL Instant Messenger free go to http://www.aim.com.

Software Requirements NOTE: If you do not have MS Office or can not afford it, go to http://www.openoffice.org and download the FREE generic version that is fully compatible.

Course Description

Upon completion of this course the student will demonstrate an understanding of the types of issues a forensic evaluator may encounter, the relevant legal issues pertaining to forensic assessment and the ethical requirements for the forensic mental health professional. The topics covered in this course include: the nature of forensic assessment, ethical issues in forensic assessment, competency to stand trial, civil commitment, juvenile delinquency, child abuse and neglect, child custody in divorce, education, expert testimony and report writing.

Methods of Instruction APA format for all of the above, of course.

Required Texts  Online Bookstore

Ackerman, M.J. (1999). Essentials of Forensic Psychological Assessment. NY: Wiley & Sons. ISBN-13: 9780471331865  ISBN: 0471331864

Bernstein, B. & Harsell, T. (2005). The Portable Guide to Testifying in Court. NY: Wiley & Sons. ISBN-13: 9780471465522  ISBN: 0471465526

Helpful Web sites

MacArthur Research Network on Mental Health and the Law found at http://www.macarthur.virginia.edu/mentalhome.html

Grading

The course grading will be based on a midterm essay, a final essay and a project paper. The points will be distributed as follows:

300 Midterm Essay
300 Final Essay
400 Paper

The grading scale is:
A
 90 - 100%
B
 80 - 89%
C
 70 - 79%
D
 60 - 69%
F 59% and below

The weekly homework assignments will be discussion questions. The exams will be essay. The paper guidelines will be forwarded as a separate document. Late assignments are subject to a 5-point penalty.

Course Schedule

Week One: Week Two: Week Three: Week Four: Week Five: Week Six: Week Seven: Week Eight: APA FORMAT REQUIRED CORRECT FORMAT IS A PART OF YOUR GRADE
For all writing assignments in this class you are required to use the American Psychological Association (APA) 5th Edition style of format and source citation.  An example of this can be found at the OWL site. Below the OWL site is a link for citing e-sources. Use the link below to resolve any questions you may have about APA format. You may also request a model APA paper from me by email. Here is a web link for additional information:

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/research/r_apa.html#General%20Format

http://www.apastyle.org/elecref.html for electronic citations.

Plagiarism

Main Entry: pla·gia·rize
Function: verb
Etymology: plagiary
transitive senses: to steal and pass off (the ideas or words of another) as one's own : use (another's production) without crediting the source
intransitive senses: to commit literary theft : present as new and original an idea or product derived from an existing source
Do not plagiarize! I use an Internet service to scan all papers. If I find a plagiarized paper, you will receive an F for that paper. A second offense results summary expulsion with an F.

Midterm Paper: In a 1200 word or more paper, summarize your learning to Chapter 18 as it relates to your career goals.

Final Exam: In a 1200 word or more paper, summarize your learning from Chapter 19 to Chapter 27 as it relates to your career goals.

Project Paper: Given the hypothetical case given below and utilizing the sum total of your learning, write a 2000 word scholarly paper covering the following items:
  1. Verify the problem, include methods of verification
  2. Verify similar court decisions and psychological evidence, cite sources
  3. Design your approach to the court
  4. Prepare a summary of the types of testimony you will use
  5. Support your findings and recommendations vigorously with citations. A recommended balance for APA style papers is two references for every 500 words.
Portend Insurance Company has been making disability payments to a policy holder for a back injury on the job. Workman's Comp. has also been making payments, but now they have written your client stating that he must go back to work and the payments are finished. Portend hears about this and wants to stop paying also. You have three physicians and a chiropractor who will testify that your client is not ready to go back to work. Portend and the state also have expert witnesses who are claiming malingering. Prepare your case to defend your client.