We discuss the use of a mock trial of the controversial Jack Kevorkian euthanasia case in an undergraduate psychology and law course. We provide an overview of the project, student feedback, and recommendations for improving the exercise. Based on feedback from students, we conclude that constructing a trial around a controversial topic with psychosocial issues as the foundation of a course can increase the utility of a mock trial and make the course a better learning experience.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
AndersonD. D. (1992). Using feature film as tools for analysis in a psychology and law course. Teaching of Psychology, 19, 155–158.
2.
BelluckP. (1999, March 27). Kevorkian convicted of second degree murder. New York Times, p. A1.
3.
BenjaminL. T.Jr. (1991). Personalization and active learning in the large introductory psychology class. Teaching of Psychology, 18, 68–74.
4.
FinkelN. J.HurabiellM. L.HughesK. C. (1993). Right to die, euthanasia, and community sentiment: Crossing the public/private boundary. Law & Human Behavior, 17, 487–506.
5.
FlemingM. Z.PiedmontR. L.HiamC. M. (1990). Images of madness: Feature films in teaching psychology. Teaching of Psychology, 17, 185–187.
6.
FuleroS. F.GreeneE.HansV.NietzelM. T.SmallM. A.WrightsmanL. S. (1999). Undergraduate education in legal psychology. Law & Human Behavior, 23, 137–153.
7.
GreeneE. (1987). An undergraduate course in psychology and the law. Teaching of Psychology, 14, 238–239.
8.
GreeneE. (1996). Teaching materials for undergraduate legal psychology courses. Retrieved October 2, 2000 from http://www.unl.edu/ap-ls/handbook.htm.
9.
GroschJ. W.SparrowJ.E. (1992). Detecting deception: A classroom demonstration. Teaching of Psychology, 19, 166–168.
10.
HewittD.Executive Producer (1998, November 22). Death by doctor. 60 minutes.New York: CBS.
11.
HewittD.Executive Producer (1999, February 28). ALS: Choosing life. 60 minutes.New York: CBS.
12.
HorowitzI. A. (1985). The effect of jury nullification instruction on verdicts and jury functioning in criminal trials. Law & Human Behavior, 9, 25–36.
13.
HorowitzI. A.WillgingT. E. (1991). Changing views of jury power: The nullification debate, 1787–1988. Law & Human Behavior, 15, 165–182.
14.
JeterJ. (1998, November 21). With videotape, Kevorkian invites new charge. The Washington Post, p. A5.
15.
LarsenJ. D. (1987). Prisoner's dilemma as a model for understanding decisions. Teaching of Psychology, 14, 230–231.
16.
LissM. B. (1992). Psychology and law courses: Content and materials. Law & Human Behavior, 16, 463–471.
17.
MorrisD.ParkerG.Producers (1998, November 23). Night-line.Washington, DC: ABC.
18.
PerryN.W.HussM.T.McAuliffB.D.GalasJ.M. (1996). An active-learning approach to teaching the undergraduate psychology and law course. Teaching of Psychology, 23, 76–81.
19.
SwensonE. V. (1983). Incorporating law into the undergraduate psychology curriculum. Teaching of Psychology, 10, 119–120.
20.
TomkinsA. J. (1992). The role of applied psychology courses in the undergraduate psychology curriculum: “Psychology and Law” courses as a case in point. Unpublished manuscript. Available from the author: Public Policy Center, 119 CBA, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68588-0473.
21.
WerthJ. L.Jr. (2001). Using the Youk–Kevorkian case to teach students about euthanasia and other end-of-life issues. Death Studies, 25, 151–177.
22.
Working Group on Assisted Suicide and End-of-Life Decisions. (2000). Report to the Board of Directors of the American Psychological Association [Report]. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. Retrieved October 2, 2000 from http://www.apa.org/pi/aseolf.html.
23.
WrightsmanL. S.NietzelM. T.FortuneW. H. (1998). Psychology and the legal system (4th ed.). Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole.
