Registry

Module Specifications

Archived Version 2020 - 2021

Module Title
Module Code
School
Online Module Resources
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

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 liability, including offences against the person
2. Describe and evaluate the link between mental illness and general defences
3. Evaluate the neuroscience of criminal responsibility and liability
4. Critically consider the neuropsychology of offending behaviour, recidivism and rehabilitation
5. Identify and evaluate the role of neuroscientific evidence in the courtroom
6. Evaluate the neuropsychology of decision making, applied to offenders, jurors and judges

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	20	Lecture Material based on indicative content; Asynchronous format; Active listening and engagement with lecture material.
Seminars	10	Active synchronous seminars based on lecture content
Seminars	4	Synchronous Seminars based on assessment preparation material
Online activity	5	Loop Discussion Fora
Independent Study	86	Independent study lecture review, seminar and assessment preparation.
Total Workload: 125

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

Neuropsychology of decision making and moral reasoning

Applications of neuroscience within the courtroom e.g. offender, juror, judge

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

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

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	%	Examination Weight	%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown

Reassessment Requirement
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; 1 = A resit is available for all components of the module 2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module 3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
Unavailable

Indicative Reading List

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,

Other Resources

None

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