Overview
Description
Explore the philosophical and historical foundation of science in law; consider scientific methodology, research and statistics; law, context and ethics.
Units
Lecture3
Catalog Details
Offering
Offered: Every Fall - Odd Years
Terms
fall
Attributes
Standard
Learning Outcomes
- demonstrate a thorough understanding of the law governing the admissibility of expert witness testimony after the “Daubert revolution” that fundamentally changed this part of the law of evidence.
- evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of multiple ways science is used by the legal system, including: a. The use of science by congress and administrative agencies. b. The use of forensic science, predictions of future violence and syndrome evidence in the criminal law. c. The use of toxicology, epidemiology and clinical medical evidence in civil cases.
- demonstrate ability to make better decisions about expert evidence that appears in their court.
- critique the social science literature that explores how juries use (and misuse) scientific evidence and they will be equipped to use this knowledge to improve the quality of jury decision making in their own court systems.
- demonstrate understanding of the social science literature that explores ways in which the legal system impeded the flow of information from experts to legal decision makers.
- improve the quality of expert testimony in their own court systems.
- apply learned information by exploring in depth a topic that involves the interaction of science and the law in the completion of a significant term paper.