PSYC 3020 Psychology of Law
Winter 2024
Section: DE01
Department of Psychology
Credit Weight: 0.50
Course Details
Calendar Description
An examination of psychological methods, findings, and theories in the study of law.
Topics will include the fallibility of the eyewitness; juror decisional processes; credibility
of witnesses and attorneys; socialization into legal systems, police behaviour, etc.
Course Specific Description
This course will provide an overview of the field of psychology and law, also sometimes
referred to as forensic psychology. We will examine the ways in which the fields of
psychology and law interact with one another and explore the psychological methods,
findings, and theories applicable in the study of the legal system. The focus is on the
application of psychological knowledge, concepts, and research methodologies, to
understand human behavior in the legal contexts.
Students will explore the major areas of interest shared by psychology and law;
compare and contrast the often conflicting perspectives of psychology and law; and
become familiar with the roles of psychologists in the criminal justice system.
A range of topics will be covered, and may include: police behaviour, interrogation and
confessions, eyewitness identification and testimony, lie detection, criminal profiling,
juries and judges as legal decision makers, mental illness in the context of criminal
proceedings (e.g., fitness to stand trial, criminal responsibility), violence risk
assessment, sentencing, and correctional and forensic rehabilitation.
Pre-Requisite(s): 2.50 credits in Psychology or PSYC*2310
Co-Requisite(s): none
Restriction(s): none
Method of Delivery: Distance Education (asynchronous online)
Final Exam
Date: April 23 2024
Time: Available 8:30 AM until 8:30 PM EST
Note: Please read the important information about exam timing in the Assessment
Description section under Final Exam in this Outline.
Location: Online via the Quizzes tool in CourseLink
Instructional Support
Instructor
Kaitlyn McLachlan, Ph.D., C. Psyc.
Email: kmclac02@uoguelph.ca
Office: MacKinnon Building, Room 3011
Note: Correspondence and contact with the instructor and TAs for the W24 semester
will be online/virtual. Please review the Communicating with your Instructor section
of this Course Outline to determine the most appropriate method of contacting your
teaching team (e.g., CourseLink discussion boards, email, etc.). Please also note that
your primary TA for the semester will be the one assigned to your discussion group.
Office Hours via Zoom: Virtual office hours can be scheduled with your TA or Dr.
McLachlan by appointment. See also Communicating with Your Instructor.
Teaching Assistant(s)
Groups: 1 to 6
Name: Emma Truffyn
Email: etruffyn@uoguelph.ca
Groups: 7 to 12
Name: Martina Faitakis
Email: mfaitaki@uoguelph.ca
Groups: 13 to 24
Name: Pam Gallego
Email: pgallego@uoguelph.ca
Groups: 25 to 36
Name: Belle Dodd
Email: bdodd@uoguelph.ca
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Learning Resources
Required Textbook
Title: Forensic Psychology
Author(s): Joanna Pozullo; Craig Bennell; Adelle Forth
Edition / Year: 6th Edition/2022
Publisher: Pearson Canada
eText ISBN: 9780135750032
180-DAY eBook ISBN: 9780135749883
You may purchase the textbook at the Guelph Campus Co-op Bookstore or the
University of Guelph Bookstore. Please note that DE textbooks are located in the
Distance Education section of the University of Guelph Bookstore.
http://www.bookstore.coop/
http://www.bookstore.uoguelph.ca/
Course Materials
There are no required materials for this course.
Course Website
CourseLink (powered by D2L’s Brightspace) is the course website and will act as your
classroom. It is recommended that you log in to your course website every day to check
for announcements, access course materials, and review the weekly schedule and
assignment requirements.
https://courselink.uoguelph.ca
Ares
For this course, you may be required to access course reserve materials through the
University of Guelph McLaughlin Library. To access these items, select Ares on the
navbar in CourseLink. Note that you will need your Central Login ID and password in
order to access items on reserve.
For further instructions on accessing reserve resources, visit How to Get Course
Reserve Materials.
If at any point during the course you have difficulty accessing reserve materials, please
contact the e-Learning Operations and Reserve Services staff at:
Tel: 519-824-4120 ext. 53621
Email: libres2@uoguelph.ca
Location: McLaughlin Library, First Floor, University of Guelph
https://www.lib.uoguelph.ca/find/course-reserves-ares
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Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, you should be able to:
Communication: Reading comprehension
The understanding of theoretical and empirical literature in psychology and law. Upon
successful completion of this course, students should be able to:
1. Demonstrate working knowledge of the key theories, research methods, and
issues, in the psychology and law field and literature.
2. Compare and contrast the assumptions and methods of psychology with those of
law.
3. Explain how research is conducted and disseminated.
4. Use the psychological concepts, language, and theories, to account for human
behavior in legal contexts.
Communication: Written communication
The ability to express one’s ideas and summarize theory and research through a variety
of writing styles (e.g., APA style, papers). Upon successful completion of this course,
students should be able to:
5. Use a variety of mediums to communicate in an academically rigorous manner
how psychological principles can be used to explain legal issues and inform
public policy. Articulate how psychological principles can be used to explain legal
issues and inform public policy.
Creative and Critical Thinking: Depth and breadth of understanding, Inquiry, and
analysis
Demonstrates knowledge of key concepts in psychology and law, and integrates that
knowledge across disciplinary boundaries (e.g., application of psychological theories,
research, and principles, in the legal context). In this course you will be introduced to
ways in which psychological principles can be applied to legal issues in the real world.
You will systematically explore issues, objects, and works in psychology and law
through the collection and analysis of evidence that result in informed conclusions or
judgments. Though psychology is a science, it is not exact. Psychologists must weigh
and analyze evidence, and tolerate ambiguity, in reaching informed judgments and
conclusions.
Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:
6. Articulate how psychological principles can be used to explain legal issues and
inform public policy.
7. Seek and evaluate scientific evidence for forensic psychological claims, evaluate
the appropriateness of conclusions derived from forensic psychological research,
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and generalize research conclusions appropriately based on the parameters of
particular research.
8. Describe how psychological explanations are often complex and tentative.
Teaching and Learning Activities
Method of Learning
This course provides an asynchronous online learning experience through self-guided
units. Each unit includes assigned readings in psychology of law (e.g., textbook
chapters, scientific articles) and instructor developed content that expands on key
course concepts, and additional resources to promote active learning (e.g., videos,
websites, quizzes, blogs, etc.). Group case discussions provide learners an opportunity
to share ideas, collaborate in learning, and engage more deeply with unit with the
material as they put themselves in the shoes of a forensic psychologist. Weekly quizzes
provide an opportunity to demonstrate knowledge and gain feedback about learning
progress, and the final written assignment allows students to further enhance their
learning by critically applying course concepts to real world cases.
Course Structure
The course is divided into twelve units:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Unit 01: Introduction to Forensic Psychology
Unit 02: Police Psychology and the Psychology of Police Investigations
Unit 03: Detecting Deception
Unit 04: Eyewitness testimony
Unit 05: Juries: Fact Finders
Unit 06: Midterm Review
Unit 07: The Role of Mental Illness in Court
Unit 08: Risk Assessment
Unit 09: Psychopathy
Unit 10: Sentencing and Parole in Canada
Unit 11: Assessment and Treatment of Justice-Involved Youth
Unit 12: End of Course Review
What to Expect for Each Unit
Each unit is made up of multiple topic content sections and should take you one week to
complete. Each unit follows a similar structure with several parts, including:
•
Unit Introduction and Learning Outcomes: You should begin every unit by
reading this section. The introduction sets the stage for the unit and the
outcomes will help guide your efforts as you work your way through the unit.
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•
Unit Content. Each unit includes instructor developed content to guide you
through the learning process. The topics are enhanced with learning activities
containing questions to help you think about the unit material you’ve just
reviewed. The activities take the form of reflections and practical application and
are designed to help you gauge understanding of the materials covered in the
unit. You should progress through units in the order presented as content builds
upon itself from one unit to the next. Ensure that you review all unit content and
required readings.
•
Unit Conclusion: This section reviews the main ideas, key points, and
expectations of the unit. Here you can check in on your learning and make sure
that you can achieve the learning outcomes.
•
Unit Quizzes: When you complete each unit, you should complete the unit quiz
to assess your knowledge. You will receive feedback about your quiz
performance after the unit closes to identify strengths and gaps in your learning.
•
Group Case Discussions: Units 2, 4, 7, 10, and 12 include group case
discussions designed to provide an opportunity to engage with fellow learners
and exchange ideas about cases relevant to forensic psychology. Structured
discussion prompts and questions provide a place to kick off the discussion with
opportunities for group guided engagement. You will develop reflective
participation portfolios synthesizing learning and engagement through group
case discussions and submit these in weeks 6 and 12 of the course.
Schedule
It is strongly recommended that you follow the course schedule provided below. The
schedule outlines what you should be working on each week of the course and lists the
important due dates for the assessments. By following the schedule, you will be better
prepared to complete the assessments and succeed in this course.
Unit 01: Introduction to Forensic Psychology
Week 1 – Monday, January 8 to Sunday, January 14
Readings
• Unit 01 Content
• Textbook:
o
Chapter 0
o
Chapter 1
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• Ares:
o
DeMatteo, D., Marczyk, G., Krauss, D. A., & Burl, J. (2009). Educational
and training models in forensic psychology. Training and Education in
Professional Psychology, 3(3), 184.
Activities
• Complete Introductions discussion.
• Familiarize yourself with the course website by selecting Start Here on the
navbar.
• Review Outline and Assessments on the course website to learn about course
expectations, assessments, and due dates.
• Confirm your access to the course reserve materials by selecting Ares on the
navbar.
• Review and complete activities associated with Unit 01.
• Explore the groups function and introduce yourself to your discussion groups
by completing an introductory post and discussing group norms for setting a
great approach to group discussion over the term.
• Participate in the optional discussion board to review key course concepts.
Assessments
• Quiz 1
o
Opens: Monday, January 8 at 12:01 AM EST
Closes: Sunday, January 14 at 11:59 PM EST
Unit 02: Police Psychology and the Psychology of Police Investigations
Week 2 - Monday, January 15 to Sunday, January 21
Readings
• Unit 02 Content
• Textbook:
o
Chapter 2
o
Chapter 3
• Ares: None
Activities
• Review and complete activities associated with Unit 02.
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• Participate in the optional discussion board to review key course concepts.
Assessments
• Quiz 2
o
Opens: Monday, January 15 at 12:01 AM EST
Closes: Sunday, January 21 at 11:59 PM EST
• Group Case Discussion 1
o
Opens: Monday, January 15 at 12:01 AM EST
Closes: Sunday, January 28 at 11:59 PM EST
Unit 03: Detecting Deception
Week 3 – Monday, January 22 to Sunday, January 28
Readings
• Unit 03 Content
• Textbook:
o
Chapter 4
• Ares: None
Activities
• Review and complete activities associated with Unit 03
• Participate in the optional discussion board to review key course concepts
Assessments
• Quiz 3
o
Opens: Monday, January 22 at 12:01 AM EST
Closes: Sunday, January 28 at 11:59 PM EST
Unit 04: Eyewitness Memory
Week 4 – Monday, January 29 to Sunday, February 4
Readings
• Unit 04 Content
• Textbook:
o
Chapter 5
• Ares: None
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Activities
• Review and complete activities associated with Unit 04
• Participate in the optional discussion board to review key course concepts
Assessments
• Quiz 4
o
Opens: Monday, January 29 at 12:01 AM EST
Closes: Sunday, February 4 at 11:59 PM EST
• Group Case Discussion 2
o
Opens: Monday, January 29 at 12:01 AM EST
Closes: Sunday, February 11 at 11:59 PM EST
Unit 05: Juries as Fact Finders
Week 5 – Monday, February 5 to Sunday, February 11
Readings
• Unit 05 Content
• Textbook:
o
Chapter 7
• Ares: None
Activities
• Review and complete activities associated with Unit 05
• Participate in the optional discussion board to review key course concepts
Assessments
• Quiz 5
o
Opens: Monday, February 5 at 12:01 AM EST
Closes: Sunday, February 11 at 11:59 PM EST
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Unit 06: Midterm Review
Week 6 – Monday, February 12 to Friday, February 16
Note: This is a shortened learning week because of Winter Break. Please carefully
review the due dates in this week.
Readings
• Unit 06 content
Activities
• Review and complete activities associated with Unit 06
• Review readings and Unit content from Units 01-05
• Participate in the optional discussion board to review key course concepts
Assessments
• Midterm exam completed via the Quizzes tool
o
Opens: Thursday, February 15 at 8:30 AM EST
Closes: Thursday, February 15 at 8:30 PM EST
• Submit Reflective Participation Portfolio via the Dropbox tool
o Due Friday, February 16 at 11:59 PM EST
Winter Break – Monday, February 19 to Sunday, February 25
Unit 07: The Role of Mental Illness in Court
Week 7 – Monday, February 26 to Sunday, March 3
Readings
• Unit 07 Content
• Textbook:
o
Chapter 8
• Ares:
o
Crocker, A. G., Charette, Y., Seto, M. C., Nicholls, T. L., Côté, G., &
Caulet, M. (2015). The National Trajectory Project of individuals found not
criminally responsible on account of mental disorder in Canada. Part 3:
trajectories and outcomes through the forensic system. The Canadian
Journal of Psychiatry, 60(3), 117-126.
Activities
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• Review and complete activities associated with Unit 07
• Participate in the optional discussion board to review key course concepts
Assessments
• Quiz 6
o
Opens: Monday, February 26 at 12:01 AM EST
Closes: Sunday, March 3 at 11:59 PM EST
• Group Case Discussion 3
o
Opens: Monday, February 26 at 12:01 AM EST
Closes: Sunday, March 10 at 11:59 PM EST
Unit 08: Risk Assessment
Week 8 – Monday, March 4 to Sunday, March 10
Readings
• Unit 08 Content
• Textbook:
o
Chapter 10
• Ares: None
Activities
• Review and complete activities associated with Unit 08
• Participate in the optional discussion board to review key course concepts
Assessments
• Quiz 7
o
Opens: Monday, March 4 at 12:01 AM EST
Closes: Sunday, March 10 at 11:59 PM EST
Unit 09: Psychopathy
Week 9 – Monday, March 11 to Sunday, March 17
Readings
• Unit 09 Content
• Textbook:
o
Chapter 11
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• Ares: None
Activities
• Review and complete activities associated with Unit 09
• Participate in the optional discussion board to review key course concepts
Assessments
• Quiz 8
o
•
Opens: Monday, March 11 at 12:01 AM EST
Closes: Sunday, March 17 at 11:59 PM EST
Submit final Written Assignment via the Dropbox tool
o
Due Sunday, March 17, at 11:59 PM EST
Unit 10: Sentencing and Parole in Canada
Week 10 – Monday, March 18 to Sunday, March 24
Readings
• Unit 10 Content
• Textbook:
o
Chapter 9
• Ares: None
Activities
• Review and complete activities associated with Unit 10
• Participate in the optional discussion board to review key course concepts
Assessments
• Quiz 9
o
Opens: Monday, March 18 at 12:01 AM EST
Closes: Sunday, March 24 at 11:59 PM EST
• Group Case Discussion 4
o
Opens: Monday, March 18 at 12:01 AM EST
Closes: Sunday, March 31 at 11:59 PM EST
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Unit 11: Assessment and Treatment of Justice-Involved Youth
Week 11 – Monday, March 25 to Sunday, March 31
Readings
• Unit 11 Content
• Textbook:
o
Chapter 12
• Ares: None
Activities
• Review and complete activities associated with Unit 11
• Participate in the optional discussion board to review key course concepts
Assessments
• Quiz 10
o
Opens: Monday, March 25 at 12:01 AM EST
Closes: Sunday, March 31 at 11:59 PM EST
Unit 12: End of Course Review
Week 12 – Monday, April 1 to Sunday, April 7
Readings
• Unit 12 review Content
• Ares: none
Activities
• Review and complete activities associated with Unit 12
• Review readings and Unit content from Units 07-11
• Participate in the optional discussion board to review key course concepts
Assessments
• Group Case Discussion 5
Note: this discussion must be completed within 5 days
o
Opens: Monday, April 1 at 12:01 AM EST
Closes: Friday, April 5 at 11:59 PM EST
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•
Submit Reflective Participation Portfolio via the Dropbox tool
o
Due Friday, April 5 at 11:59 PM EST
Assessments
The grade determination for this course is indicated in the following table. A brief
description of each assessment is provided below. Select Content on the navbar to
locate Assessments in the table of contents panel to review further details of each
assessment. Due dates can be found under the Schedule heading of this outline.
Table 1: Course Assessments
Assessment Item
Weight Learning Outcomes
Weekly Quizzes (8 @ 1.25% each, best
8/10)
10%
1, 4, 6-9
Case Discussions (2 reflective portfolios
@ 8% each; 4 group marks @ 1% each)
20%
1, 2, 4-8
Written Assignment
20%
1, 3-8
Midterm Exam
20%
1-6, 8
Final Exam
30%
1-6, 8
Total
100%
Assessment Descriptions
Weekly Quizzes
There are ten online quizzes that test your comprehension of the content covered in this
course (Units 01-05; 07-11). The best 8 scores out of 10 will count toward your final
grade (each is worth 1.25 marks, for a total of 10%). Each quiz covers specific content
from the course, including unit content, textbook readings, and resources available
through Ares. Each quiz is designed to assess and measure the knowledge you gain
from studying the content from specific units. Preparing for each quiz will help you to
identify and explain the major concepts covered in the course.
Each quiz contains 10 multiple-choice questions. You have one attempt and 20 minutes
to complete each quiz. The quizzes are an individual assessment and should be written
without the assistance of your classmates. You may use course materials to complete
each quiz (e.g., notes, readings). After the unit closes, you will be able to review
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feedback about both correct and incorrect responses to support your continued
learning. The multiple-choice questions will be worth 1 mark each.
Quizzes will be available for a one-week period and must be completed by 11:59
Eastern Standard Time (EST) on the due date. Late submissions will not be accepted
and will receive a grade of zero. Use the flexibility built into the quiz schedule (e.g., best
8 out of 10) to help plan around unanticipated circumstances. Please see the schedule,
above, for the dates that the quizzes are available and the due dates for each quiz.
Detailed information about the quizzes can be found under Assessments.
Case Discussions
An important aspect of the learning experience in this course is the online group case
discussions which require you to respond to answer questions about cases and
problems in forensic psychology (see Discussions, found under Tools). This
experience provides you with the opportunity to share the knowledge you gained in the
course and to engage in a dialogue with fellow learners. There are five specific case
discussions to respond in the course. Discussions must be completed within the
assigned window (two weeks for all but the last discussion, which must be completed in
5 days during Unit 12).
Your participation will be evaluated in two ways. Individual contributions and learning
will be assessed via two reflective participation portfolios that you will submit in weeks 6
and 12 of the course, each worth 8% (16% total) via Dropbox. Groups will also be
assessed for their approach to engaging in each discussion, with a focus on
collaborative dialogue and problem-solving, timeliness of responses, and balanced
responding across group members. Groups can earn up to 1 point (1%) for each case
discussion, for a total of 4%. Each individual group member must have participated in
the case discussion to receive a point. While there are five available case discussions,
the maximum number of points that can be earned is 4, providing flexibility in your
approach to participation. The schedule in this Outline details the due dates for each
submission. Detailed information about the case discussions can be found under
Assessments.
Written Assignment
To better understand the content covered in this course, you are required to write a 4-5
page paper where you apply your knowledge about course concepts in an analysis of
one of four Canadian wrongful conviction cases. Your written assignment will reflect
your understanding of factors that played a role in the wrongful conviction and/or later
exoneration. This assessment is designed to help you explore various factors that
contribute to wrongful convictions and relate evidence from the course to a real-world
case. You will demonstrate your understanding of key concepts in forensic psychology,
show your ability to apply them to a real-world case, and think critically about how
psychological principles can be applied to wrongful convictions and inform evidencebased policy and practices. Your Written Assignment will be graded out of 35 marks
(20% of your final grade) and should be submitted via the Dropbox tool. The schedule
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in this Outline details the due date for submission. Detailed information about the written
assignment can be found under Assessments.
Midterm Exam
At the midpoint of the semester, you will be required to take an online midterm
exam. The midterm exam will assess your knowledge for material covered in Units 01 05 of the course. You will be providing answers to questions that test your grasp of key
concepts and your ability to apply them in a variety of scenarios. The midterm exam will
be 2 hours in length and will be delivered online via the Quizzes tool. The midterm
exam must be completed within the scheduled 12-hour window. The midterm exam will
consist of a mixture of multiple-choice, and short answer questions. The multiple-choice
questions will be worth 1 mark each and the short answer questions will vary in marks
depending on the scope of the question. You MUST complete the midterm exam
independently (see Course Policy on Academic Integrity). You may NOT ask anyone for
help in completing the midterm exam. All aspects of the Academic Dishonesty policy
apply to your completion of the midterm exam.
Final Exam
At the end of the semester, you will be required to take an online final exam. The final
exam will be delivered online via the Quizzes tool. The exam is 2 hours in length and
can be completed at any time during a 12-hour window on Tuesday, April 23. The
exam will be available between 8:30am and 8:30pm (EST) via the Quiz tool on
Courselink. Write down contact information for Courselink Support before starting the
exam in the event you run into technical difficulties, including their telephone number, as
they will be in the best position to troubleshoot any technical difficulties.
The Final Exam will assess as many of the competencies as possible that you acquired
during Units 07-12 of the course. The final exam is not cumulative). You will be
providing answers to questions that test your grasp of key concepts and your ability to
apply them in a variety of scenarios. The final exam will consist of a mixture of multiplechoice, short answer questions, and a longer case-based essay style question. The
multiple-choice questions will be worth 1 mark each and the short answer questions and
longer case-based essay question will vary in marks depending on the scope of the
question.
You MUST complete the final term exam independently (see Course Policy on
Academic Integrity). You may NOT ask anyone for help in completing the final exam. All
aspects of the Academic Dishonesty policy apply to your completion of the final exam.
Requests to change the date of the final exam will generally not be granted. Students
who do not write the final exam must follow the University’s procedures for requesting
academic consideration (see below). Undergraduate Grading Procedures.
Select Content on the navbar to locate Assessments in the table of contents panel to
review further details of the final exam.
University of Guelph degree and associate diploma students as well as Open Learning
program students must check WebAdvisor for their examination schedule.
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https://www.uoguelph.ca/webadvisor
Course Policy on Re-Grading of Assignments
Where a student is of the belief that an assignment has not been accurately graded,
they are to pursue a 2-step course policy: 1) as soon as possible, meet with the original
TA that graded the assignment, and if a student remains dissatisfied, 2) they can
request from the instructor that another TA re-grade the assignment. Note that the
student will be required to accept the re-grade, whether it be higher or lower.
Course Technology Requirements and Technical Support
CourseLink System Requirements
You are responsible for ensuring that your computer system meets the necessary
system requirements. Use the browser check tool to ensure your browser settings are
compatible and up to date. (Results will be displayed in a new browser window).
https://opened.uoguelph.ca/student-resources/system-and-software-requirements
https://courselink.uoguelph.ca/d2l/systemCheck
Zoom Requirements
This course may use Zoom as a video communication tool. A Webcam,
headphones/speakers may be needed. Review the Zoom information for students
(uoguelph) to ensure that your computer meets the technical requirements.
https://support.opened.uoguelph.ca/students/courselink/tools/content/zoom
Technical Skills
As part of your online experience, you are expected to use a variety of technology as
part of your learning:
•
Manage files and folders on your computer (e.g., save, name, copy, backup,
rename, delete, and check properties);
•
Install software, security, and virus protection;
•
Use office applications (e.g., Word, PowerPoint, Excel, or similar) to create
documents;
•
Be comfortable uploading and downloading saved files;
•
Communicate using email (e.g., create, receive, reply, print, send, download, and
open attachments);
•
Navigate the CourseLink learning environment and use the essential tools, such
as Dropbox, Quizzes, Discussions, and Grades (the instructions for this are
given in your course);
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•
Access, navigate, and search the Internet using a web browser (e.g., Firefox,
Chrome); and
•
Perform online research using various search engines (e.g., Google) and library
databases (e.g., PsycInfo).
Technical Support
If you need any assistance with the software tools or the CourseLink website, contact
CourseLink Support.
CourseLink Support
University of Guelph
Day Hall, Room 211
Email: courselink@uoguelph.ca
Tel: 519-824-4120 ext. 56939
Toll-Free (CAN/USA): 1-866-275-1478
Walk-In Hours (Eastern Time):
Monday thru Friday: 8:30 am–4:30 pm
Phone/Email Hours (Eastern Time):
Monday thru Friday: 8:30 am–8:30 pm
Saturday: 10:00 am–4:00 pm
Sunday: 12:00 pm–6:00 pm
Course Specific Standard Statements
Acceptable Use
The University of Guelph has an Acceptable Use Policy, which you are expected to
adhere to.
https://www.uoguelph.ca/ccs/infosec/aup
Communicating with Your Instructor
During the course, your instructor will interact with you on various course matters on the
course website using the following ways of communication:
•
Announcements: The instructor will use Announcements on the Course Home
page to provide you with course reminders and updates. Please check this
section frequently for course updates from your instructor.
•
Ask Your TA/Instructor Discussions: Use these discussion forums to ask
questions of your TAs and/or instructor about content or course-related issues
with which you are unfamiliar. If you encounter difficulties, the instructor is here to
help you. Please post general course-related questions to the discussion forum
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so that all students have an opportunity to review the response. To access this
discussion forum, select Discussions from the Tools dropdown menu.
•
Email: If you have a conflict that prevents you from completing course
requirements, or have a question concerning a personal matter, you can send
your TA or instructor a private message by email. We will make every effort to
respond to emails within 48 hours on weekdays.
•
Office Hours/Meetings: If you have a complex question you would like to
discuss with your TAs or instructor, you may book a virtual meeting using Zoom
or Microsoft Teams. Online meetings held outside regularly scheduled office
hours will depend on the availability of you, and/or your TAs or instructor, and are
booked on a first come first served basis.
Netiquette Expectations
For distance education courses, the course website is considered the classroom and
the same protections, expectations, guidelines, and regulations used in face-to-face
settings apply, plus other policies and considerations that come into play specifically
because these courses are online. In this course we will aim to foster an inclusive and
supportive learning environment where we collectively prioritize collaborative and
positive learning experiences.
Inappropriate online behaviour will not be tolerated. Examples of inappropriate online
behaviour include:
•
Posting inflammatory messages about your instructor or fellow students;
•
Using obscene or offensive language online;
•
Copying or presenting someone else's work as your own;
•
Adapting information from the Internet without using proper citations or
references; (including use of AI support applications);
•
Buying or selling term papers or assignments;
•
Posting or selling course materials to course notes websites;
•
Having someone else complete your quiz or completing a quiz for/with another
student;
•
Stating false claims about lost quiz answers or other assignment submissions;
•
Threatening or harassing a student or instructor online;
•
Discriminating against fellow students, instructors, and/or TAs;
•
Using the course website to promote profit-driven products or services;
•
Attempting to compromise the security or functionality of the learning
management system;
•
Sharing your username and password; and
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•
Recording lectures without the permission of the instructor.
Submission of Assignments to Dropbox
All assignments for this course should be submitted electronically via the online
Dropbox tool. When submitting your assignments using the Dropbox tool, do not leave
the page until your assignment has successfully uploaded. To verify that your
submission was complete, you can view the submission history immediately after the
upload to see which files uploaded successfully. The system will also email you a
receipt. Save this email receipt as proof of submission.
Be sure to keep a back-up copy of all of your assignments in the event that they are lost
in transition. In order to avoid any last-minute computer problems, your instructor
strongly recommend you save your assignments to a cloud-based file storage (e.g.,
Google Docs), or send to your email account, so that should something happen to your
computer, the assignment could still be submitted on time or re-submitted.
It is your responsibility to submit your assignments on time as specified on the
Schedule. Be sure to check the technical requirements and make sure you have the
proper computer, that you have a supported browser, and that you have reliable Internet
access. Remember that technical difficulty is not an excuse not to turn in your
assignment on time. Don’t wait until the last minute as you may get behind in your
work.
If, for some reason, you have a technical difficulty when submitting your assignment
electronically, please contact your instructor or CourseLink Support.
https://support.opened.uoguelph.ca/contact
Late Policy
This course includes a ‘one free late submission’ pass. This means that you can make a
submission up to 24 hours late, for any written assignment (the Written Assignment, or
the Reflective Participation Portfolios), on one occasion in the course. You do not need
to notify your instructor or TA about a late submission if using this ‘one free late
submission pass.’ When submitting the assignment to the Dropbox tool late and using
the pass, please include “free late submission pass” in the comments area.
If you choose to submit any further individual assignments to the Dropbox tool late, the
full allocated mark will be reduced by 10% per day after the deadline for the submission
of the assignment to a limit of six days at which time access to the Dropbox folder will
be closed.
For late quiz, midterm and final exam submissions to the Quizzes tool, your attempt will
be flagged as late, and you will be prevented from making further changes to your
attempt once your time ends. Make sure you save all your responses to the exam
questions. For details on how long you have to complete the quiz or exam, please see
the instructions in Assessments on CourseLink. The Quizzes tool counts down your
time in the upper-left hand corner. Please pay close attention to this countdown and
save your answers frequently.
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Extensions will be considered for medical reasons or other extenuating circumstances.
If you require an extension, discuss this with the instructor as soon as possible and well
before the due date. Barring exceptional circumstances, extensions will not be granted
once the due date has passed. These rules are not designed to be arbitrary, nor are
they inflexible. They are designed to keep you organized, to ensure that all students
have the same amount of time to work on assignments, and to help to return marked
materials to you in the shortest possible time.
Obtaining Grades and Feedback
Unofficial assessment marks will be available in the Grades tool of the course website.
Your instructor will have grades posted online within 2 weeks of the submission
deadline, if the assignment was submitted on time. Once your assignments are marked
you can view your grades on the course website by selecting Grades from the Tools
dropdown menu on the navbar. Your course will remain open to you for seven days
following the last day of the final exam period.
University of Guelph degree students can access their final grade by logging into
WebAdvisor (using your U of G central ID). Open Learning program students should log
in to the OpenEd Student Portal to view their final grade (using the same username and
password you have been using for your courses).
32T
32T
https://www.uoguelph.ca/webadvisor
https://courses.opened.uoguelph.ca/portal/logon.do?method=load
Rights and Responsibilities When Learning Online
For distance education (DE) courses, the course website is considered the classroom
and the same protections, expectations, guidelines, and regulations used in face-to-face
settings apply, plus other policies and considerations that come into play specifically
because these courses are online.
For more information on your rights and responsibilities when learning in the online
environment, visit Rights and Responsibilities.
http://opened.uoguelph.ca/student-resources/rights-and-responsibilities
Turnitin Originality Check
In this course, your instructor will be using Turnitin, integrated with the CourseLink
Dropbox tool, to detect possible plagiarism, unauthorized collaboration or copying as
part of the ongoing efforts to maintain academic integrity at the University of Guelph.
All individual assignments submitted to the Dropbox tool will be included as source
documents in the Turnitin.com reference database solely for the purpose of detecting
plagiarism of such papers. Use of the Turnitin.com service is subject to the Usage
Policy posted on the Turnitin.com site.
A major benefit of using Turnitin is that you will be able to educate and empower
yourself in preventing academic misconduct. In this course, you may screen your own
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assignments through Turnitin as many times as you wish before the due date. You will
be able to see and print reports that show you exactly where you have properly and
improperly referenced the outside sources and materials in your assignment.
University Standard Statements
University of Guelph: Undergraduate Policies
As a student of the University of Guelph, it is important for you to understand your rights
and responsibilities and the academic rules and regulations that you must abide by.
If you are a registered University of Guelph Degree Student, consult the
Undergraduate Calendar for the rules, regulations, curricula, programs and fees for
current and previous academic years.
If you are an Open Learning Program Student, consult the Open Learning Program
Calendar for information about University of Guelph administrative policies, procedures
and services.
https://www.uoguelph.ca/registrar/calendars/undergraduate/current/
http://opened.uoguelph.ca/student-resources/open-learning-program-calendar
Email Communication
As per university regulations, all students are required to check their uoguelph.ca e-mail
account regularly: e-mail is the official route of communication between the University
and its students.
When You Cannot Meet Course Requirements
When you find yourself unable to meet an in-course requirement due to illness or
compassionate reasons, please advise your course instructor in writing, with your
name, ID number and email contact.
University of Guelph Degree Students
Consult the Undergraduate Calendar for information on regulations and procedures for
Academic Consideration.
https://www.uoguelph.ca/registrar/calendars/undergraduate/current/c08/c08-ac.shtml
Open Learning Program Students
Please refer to the Open Learning Program Calendar for information on regulations and
procedures for requesting Academic Consideration.
http://opened.uoguelph.ca/student-resources/open-learning-program-calendar
Drop Date
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University of Guelph Degree Students
Students will have until the last day of classes to drop courses without academic
penalty. Review the Undergraduate Calendar for regulations and procedures for
Dropping Courses.
https://www.uoguelph.ca/registrar/calendars/undergraduate/current/c08/c08-drop.shtml
Open Learning Program Students
Please refer to the Open Learning Program Calendar.
http://opened.uoguelph.ca/student-resources/open-learning-program-calendar
Copies of Assignments
Keep paper and/or other reliable back-up copies of all assignments: you may be asked
to resubmit work at any time.
Accessibility
University of Guelph Degree Students
The University promotes the full participation of students who experience disabilities in
their academic programs. To that end, the provision of academic accommodation is a
shared responsibility between the University and the student.
When accommodations are needed, the student is required to first register with Student
Accessibility Services (SAS). Documentation to substantiate the existence of a disability
is required; however, interim accommodations may be possible while that process is
underway.
Accommodations are available for both permanent and temporary disabilities. It should
be noted that common illnesses such as a cold or the flu do not constitute a disability.
Use of the SAS Exam Centre requires students to make a booking at least 14 days in
advance, and no later than November 1 (fall), March 1 (winter) or July 1 (summer).
Similarly, new or changed accommodations for online quizzes, tests and exams must
be approved at least a week ahead of time.
For more information, contact Accessibility Services at 519-824-4120 ext. 56208, email
Accessibility Services or visit the Accessibility Services website.
mailto:accessibility@uoguelph.ca
https://wellness.uoguelph.ca/accessibility/
Open Learning Program Students
If you are an Open Learning program student who requires academic accommodation,
please contact the Open Learning program Counsellor. Please ensure that you contact
us before the end of the first week of your course (every semester) in order to avoid any
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delays in support. Documentation from a health professional is required for all academic
accommodations. Please note that all information provided will be held in confidence.
If you require textbooks produced in an alternate format (e.g., DAISY, Braille, large print
or eText), please contact the Open Learning program Counsellor at least two months
prior to the course start date. If contact is not made within the suggested time frame,
support may be delayed. It is recommended that you refer to the course outline before
beginning your course in order to determine the required readings.
The provision of academic accommodation is a shared responsibility between OpenEd
and the student requesting accommodation. It is recognized that academic
accommodations are intended to “level the playing field” for students with disabilities.
mailto:counsellor@OpenEd.uoguelph.ca
Academic Misconduct
The University of Guelph is committed to upholding the highest standards of academic
integrity and it is the responsibility of all members of the University community – faculty,
staff, and students – to be aware of what constitutes academic misconduct and to do as
much as possible to prevent academic offences from occurring. University of Guelph
students have the responsibility of abiding by the University's policy on academic
misconduct regardless of their location of study; faculty, staff and students have the
responsibility of supporting an environment that discourages misconduct. Students need
to remain aware that instructors have access to and the right to use electronic and other
means of detection.
Please note: Whether or not a student intended to commit academic misconduct is not
relevant for a finding of guilt. Hurried or careless submission of assignments does not
excuse students from responsibility for verifying the academic integrity of their work
before submitting it. Students who are in any doubt as to whether an action on their part
could be construed as an academic offence should consult with a faculty member or
faculty advisor.
The Academic Misconduct Policy is detailed in the Undergraduate Calendar.
https://www.uoguelph.ca/registrar/calendars/undergraduate/current/c08/c08amisconduct.shtml
Copyright Notice
Content within this course is copyright protected. Third party copyrighted materials
(such as book chapters and articles) have either been licensed for use in this course, or
have been copied under an exception or limitation in Canadian Copyright law.
The fair dealing exemption in Canada's Copyright Act permits students to reproduce
short excerpts from copyright-protected materials for purposes such as research,
education, private study, criticism and review, with proper attribution. Any other copying,
communicating, or distribution of any content provided in this course, except as
permitted by law, may be an infringement of copyright if done without proper license or
the consent of the copyright owner. Examples of infringing uses of copyrighted works
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would include uploading materials to a commercial third party web site, or making paper
or electronic reproductions of all, or a substantial part, of works such as textbooks for
commercial purposes.
Students who upload to CourseLink copyrighted materials such as book chapters,
journal articles, or materials taken from the Internet, must ensure that they comply with
Canadian Copyright law or with the terms of the University’s electronic resource
licenses.
For more information about students’ rights and obligations with respect to copyrighted
works, review Fair Dealing Guidance for Students.
https://www.lib.uoguelph.ca/about/policies/fair-dealing-policy
Plagiarism Detection Software
Students should be aware that faculty have the right to use software to aid in the
detection of plagiarism or copying and to examine students orally on submitted work.
For students found guilty of academic misconduct, serious penalties, up to and including
suspension or expulsion from the University can be imposed.
Recording of Materials
Presentations which are made in relation to course work—including lectures and
instructor video postings —cannot be recorded or copied without the permission of the
presenter, whether the instructor, a classmate or guest lecturer. Material recorded with
permission is restricted to use for that course unless further permission is granted.
Similarly, any material created by the course instructor is intended for those enrolled in
this course solely. Under no circumstances are you allowed to disseminate course
materials to external parties.
Disclaimer
Please note that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic may necessitate a revision of the
format of course offerings, changes in classroom protocols, and academic schedules.
Any such changes will be announced via CourseLink and/or class email.
This includes on-campus scheduling during the semester, mid-terms and final
examination schedules. All University-wide decisions will be posted on the COVID-19
website and circulated by email.
https://news.uoguelph.ca/2019-novel-coronavirus-information/
Illness
Medical notes will not normally be required for singular instances of academic
consideration, although students may be required to provide supporting documentation
for multiple missed assessments or when involving a large part of a course (e.g., final
exam or major assignment).
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Covid-19 Safety Protocols
For information on current safety protocols, follow these links:
How U of G Is Preparing for Your Safe Return
Guidelines to Safely Navigate U of G Spaces
Please note, these guidelines may be updated as required in response to evolving
University, Public Health or government directives.
https://news.uoguelph.ca/return-to-campuses/how-u-of-g-is-preparing-for-your-safereturn/
https://news.uoguelph.ca/return-to-campuses/spaces/#ClassroomSpaces
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