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Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title Law & Neuroscience
Module Code PSY1050 (ITS: PSYC406)
Faculty Psychology School Science & Health
NFQ level 8 Credit Rating 5
Description

The aims of this module are to provide an overview of the neuroscience of criminal responsibility and liability; and to consider the neuropsychological bases of offending behaviour, recidivism and rehabilitation. Particular emphasis will be placed on the role of neuroscientific evidence in the courtroom, and applications of neuropsychology to juror, judge and offender decision making.

Learning Outcomes

1. Describe and evaluate mental and behavioural aspects of criminal responsibility
2. Evaluate the neuroscience of criminal responsibility
3. Critically consider the neuroscience of offending behaviour, recidivism and rehabilitation
4. Identify and evaluate the role of neuroscientific evidence in the courtroom
5. Evaluate the neuropsychology of Judge and juror decision making


WorkloadFull time hours per semester
TypeHoursDescription
Lecture20Lecture Material based on indicative content; Asynchronous format; Active listening and engagement with lecture material.
Seminars4Synchronous Seminars based on assessment preparation material
Online activity5Loop Discussion Fora
Independent Study96Independent study lecture review, seminar and assessment preparation; including seminar readings and legal cases.
Total Workload: 125
Section Breakdown
CRN11489Part of TermSemester 1
Coursework0%Examination Weight0%
Grade Scale40PASSPass Both ElementsY
Resit CategoryRC1Best MarkN
Module Co-ordinatorLorraine BoranModule Teacher
Assessment Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
Oral ExaminationStudents are given a report of a hypothetical legal case. The case presents details of the criminal offence, relevant neuroscience evidence related to the defendant and that goes to elements of the criminal offence i.e. capacity to stand trial, and criminal liability. Summary of case relevant details and liability issues with respect to the suspect, pre-trial issues and trial issues, including Legal Insanity; Guilt determination and sentencing; Impact of judge/juror perception of the suspect/defendant ;Neuroprediction - prediction of future offending60%n/a
Report(s)A companion written report will follow the interactive oral, and will address issues of criminal responsibility from a number of perspectives, including but not limited to: The adolescent Brain and Criminal Responsibility The Neurodiverse Brain and the Criminal Justice System Sleep Disturbance, Mental Health, Addiction and the Criminal Justice System Additionally, the student will consider case outcomes from the evidence produced, including expert and witness testimony. Pre-trial interviewing of the suspect and trial impacts will also be considered.40%n/a
Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories;
RC1: A resit is available for both* components of the module.
RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module.
RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element.

* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite None
Co-requisite None
Compatibles None
Incompatibles None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Introduction to Criminal Law

Criminal Liability, Actus Reus, Mens Rea

Offences against the person

General Defences

Criminal behaviour and responsibility

Mental illness and the insanity defence

Competency and ability to stand trial

Prediction of offending behaviour

Behavioural Genetics and Crime

Neuroscience of psychopathology and crime
Applications within the courtroom e.g. offender, juror, judge

Neuropsychology of decision making and moral reasoning

Neuroscience in the Courtroom: role of evidence

Neuropsychology of juror behaviour: empathy and punishment

The neuropsychological bases of recidivism and rehabilitation

Neuroscience and Law making

Indicative Reading List

Books:
  • Jones, Owen: 2014, Law and Neuroscience, Aspen Pub., 978-145484824
  • edited by Stephen J. Morse and Adina L. Roskies.: 2013, A primer on criminal law and neuroscience, Oxford [Oxfordshire]; Oxford University Press, 0199859175
  • Beaumont, J.G,: 2008, Introduction to neuropsychology, 2nd, The Guildford Press, London,
  • Eagleman, D.: 2011, Incognito: The secret lives of the brain, Canongate Books Ltd., Edinburgh,
  • Freeman, M.: 2011, Law and neuroscience: Current legal issues, 13, Oxford University Press, Oxford,
  • Carlson, N.R.: 2010, Physiology of behavior, 10th, Allyn & Bacon, Boston, MA.,
  • Freeman, M., Goodenough, O.R.: 2009, Law, mind and brain, Ashgate Publishing, London,
  • Fruehwald, E.S.: 2011, Law and human behavior: A study in behavioral biology, neuroscience and the law, Vandeplas Publishing, Florida, US,
  • Garland, B.: 2004, Neuroscience and the law: Brain, mind and the scales of justice, 2nd, Chicago University Press, Chicago,
  • Glazebrook, P.: 2011, Blackstone's statutes on criminal law 2011-2012, Oxford University Press, Oxford,
  • Gordana, J.: 2012, NNeurotechnology: Premises, Potential and Problems., Taylor and Francis, USA.,
  • Hanly, C: 2006, Irish criminal law, 2nd, Gill & McMillan, Dublin,
  • Kalat, J.W.: 2009, Biological psychology, Wadsworth Cengage Learning, Belmont, CA,
  • Kolb, B., & Whishaw, I.Q.: 2008, Fundamentals of human neuropsychology, 6th, Worth Publishers, New York,
  • Malatesti, L., & McMillan, J.: 2010, Responsibility and psychopathy: Interfacing law, psychiatry and philosophy, Oxford University Press, Oxford,
  • Moratti, S & Patterson, D.. (edited by): 2016, Legal Insanity and the Brain: Science, Law and European Courts, Oxford and Portland, Oregon.,
  • Ormerod, D.: 2011, Smith and Hogan's criminal law, 13th, Oxford university Press, Oxford,
  • McAuley, F., & McCutcheon, P.: 2000, Criminal liability, Round Hall Ltd., London,
  • Morse, S.J., Roskies A.L: 2013, A primer on criminal law and neuroscience, 1, Oxford University Press, New York, 9780199859177
  • Nadel, L. (Editor), Sinnott-Armstrong, W.P. (Editor): 2012, Memory and Law, Oxford University Press, New York, 9780199920754
  • Naderhoffer, T.A. (edited by): 2013, The Future of Punishment., Oxford University Press, USA.,
  • Patterson, D. & Pardo, MS.: 2016, Philosophical Foundations of Law and Neuroscience., Oxford University Press, UK.,
  • Pinel, J.P.: 2011, Biopsychology, 6th, Pearson Education, Boston, MA,
  • Purser, K.: 2017, Capacity Assessment and the Law., Springer International.,
  • Sinnott-Armstrong & Nadel L. (edited by): 2011, Conscious Will and Responsibility:A Tribute to Benjamin Libet., Oxford University Press, UK.,
  • Spranger, T.M. (edited by): 2012, International Neurolaw: A Comparative Analysis., Springer Verlag, Berlin.,
  • Vincent, N.A.: 2013, Neuroscience and legal responsibility, Oxford University Press, Oxford,
  • Zeki, S.: 2006, Law and the brain, Oxford University Press, Oxford,
  • Zilmer, E.A., Spiers, M.V. & Culbertson, W.: 2007, Principles of neuropsychology, 2nd, Wadsworth Publishing, Belmont, CA,
  • Connors, B.W., Paradiso, M.A., & Bear, M.F.: 2006, Neuroscience: Exploring the brain, 3rd, Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, MD,
  • Kandel, E.R., Schwartz, J., & Jessell, T.: 2000, Principles of neural science, 4th, McGraw-Hill, London,
  • Stein, J.F.: 2006, Neuroscience: An introduction, 1st, John Wiley & Sons, Oxford,
  • Squire, L.R., Berg, D., Bloom, F., du Lac, S, & Ghosh, A.: 2008, Fundamental neuroscience, 3rd, Academic Press, San Diego, CA,
  • Uttal, W.R.: 2008, Neuroscience in the courtroom: What every lawyer should know about the mind and the brain, Lawyers & Judges Publishing, Tucson, AZ,


Articles:
None
Other Resources

None

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