| Credits: 3,0 | | Study load hours: 81 | Period: quarter 2 (3sp)  |
| Language of instruction: English | | Exam contract: not possible |
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The student can read and understand English literature.
The student has knowledge of criminal procedural law.
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The master course Legal Psychology will cover the two phases of a criminal case from a legal psychological perspective: the criminal investigation and the legal decisions (guilt/innocence and sentencing). At the start of the course, a knowledge clip provides an overview of legal psychology as an applied science, including its origination and more recent developments. The course consists of three modules, in which lectures (uneven weeks) alternate with tutorials (even weeks).
The first module (week 1 and 2) takes the perspective of witnesses and victims. The fundamentals of memory, the accuracy of witness statements, and identifications procedures will be addressed.
Module 2 (week 3 and 4) focuses on the perspective of the suspect. Investigative interviewing is covered, as well as the decision of suspects to remain silent, deny, or to confess. The vulnerability of suspects in relation to false confessions will also be examined.
Module 3 (week 5) centres around judges’ legal decision making from a legal psychological and a forensic psychological angle. Theories on decision-making, heuristics, and biases are covered. The forensic psychological perspective will examine the decision on accountability and sentencing, including risk taxation.
The lectures and prescribed literature will provide a theoretical background for the tutorials. The lectures function as a framework for processing the prescribed scientific literature. The theory will be applied systematically in the tutorials through exercises, analyses of real cases, and role plays.
The examination of the course consists of a group assignment (50%) and an individual assignment (50%). The group assignment entails a poster presentation in which students develop an innovative concept (week 6). The individual assignment is a closed book exam.
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| Compulsory course material |
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A reference list for each teaching group will be provided.
The literature will be available online (open access). |
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| Recommended reading |
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Course book 1:
Tussen wet en wetenschap: De psychologie van het recht, de Keijser, J., Vredeveldt, A., & Horselenberg, R., 2024, Koninklijke Boom Uitgevers PW
ISBN: 9789462129313
Course book 2:
The Oxford Handbook of Psychology and Law, DeMatteo, D. and Scherr K. C., 2023, Oxford University Press
ISBN: 9780197649138 |
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Lecture ✔
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Tutorial group ✔
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Quarter 2 (3,00sp)
| Evaluation method | |
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| Other evaluation method during teaching period | 50 % |
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| Other | Group project (poster presentation) |
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| Transfer of partial marks within the academic year | Yes, with condition |
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| Conditions transfer of partial marks within the academic year | If at least 50% of the grade was received, the grade will be carried
over to the resit. |
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| Written exam | 50 % |
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| Transfer of partial marks within the academic year | Yes, with condition |
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| Conditions transfer of partial marks within the academic year | If at least 50% of the grade was received, the grade will be carried
over to the resit. |
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| Additional information | In consultation with the Education Management Team and the Student Administration, the lecturer determines the schedule and the examination format for a possible catch-up exam. The examination format may deviate from the examination format used during the regular examination period. The schedule and examination format will be communicated to the student after the request for a catch-up exam has been approved. |
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Second examination period
| Evaluation second examination opportunity different from first examination opprt | |
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| Explanation (English) | The poster presentation is replaced by a pitch on the same topic.
The written closed book exam is similar to the previous exam. |
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Learning outcomes | EC = learning outcomes DC = partial outcomes BC = evaluation criteria |
Master of Laws
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- EC
| EC03 - A graduate of the Master of Laws programme has insight into the recent societal developments and the academic research in the sector. (academic, specifically legal, skills and knowledge) | | | - DC
| The student has insight into scientific developments in legal psychology. | - EC
| EC10 - A graduate of the Master of Laws programme is able to identify the various stakeholders and their specific interests in a complex problem and to integrate those in their own reasoning and approach. (general competency) | | | - DC
| The student can identify the interests of legal subjects (victims, witnesses and suspects) in a criminal case from a legal psychological perspective. | | | - DC
| The student can defend the interests of legal subjects (victims, witnesses and suspects) in a criminal case in a legal-psychological argumentation. | - EC
| EC11 - A graduate of the Master of Laws programme is able to adequately communicate and present their own ideas, positions and solutions in various contexts, both orally or in writing, using the Dutch, English and French (legal) language. (general competency) | | | - DC
| The student is able to formulate scientifically substantiated ideas, positions and solutions in criminal cases from a legal-psychological perspective orally and in writing. | - EC
| EC13 - A graduate of the Master of Laws programme recognizes ethical and societal aspects within a legal context, can critically reflect upon them and can guide their own judgement based on these ethical considerations, taking into account their responsibilities as a lawyer. (general competency) | | | - DC
| The student can contribute in a team, in an active and constructive manner, to the common goal of creating a legal-psychological poster in a multidisciplinary context. | - EC
| EC15 - A graduate of the Master of Laws programme demonstrates a critical attitude, and is able to gain overview of a variety of legal positions, to assess them critically and to arrive at one's own, substantiated legal opinion. (general competency) | | | - DC
| The student shows a critical attitude and is able to map the law and the various legal-psychological positions, approach them critically and thus arrive at their own scientifically substantiated judgment. | - EC
| EC16 - A graduate of the Master of Laws programme is able to contribute in a group, in an active and constructive manner, to a common goal in a multidisciplinary context. (general competency) | | | - DC
| The student can contribute in a team, in an active and constructive manner, to the common goal of creating a legal-psychological poster in a multidisciplinary context. | - EC
| EC17 - A graduate of the Master of Laws programme is able to plan, to evaluate, and where necessary, to adjust their own approach and learning processes in an independent manner. (general competency) | | | - DC
| The student is able to plan, evaluate and, where necessary, adjust their own approach and learning processes regarding legal-psychological knowledge independently and self-directed. |
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| Included in these programmes | Tolerance3 |
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Y
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choice master for corporate (UH)
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Y
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choice master for private (UH)
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Y
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Exchange Programme Laws
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Y
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Master of Laws Government and Law
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Y
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1 Education, Examination and Legal Position Regulations art.12.2, section 2. |
| 2 Education, Examination and Legal Position Regulations art.15.1, section 3. |
3 Education, Examination and Legal Position Regulations art.16.9, section 2.
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