COURSE DESCRIPTION

Each year, millions of children and adolescents around the world come into contact with the legal and social service systems as victims, witnesses, and/or suspects/defendants. These youth encounter systems largely designed with adults in mind. This course is intended to provide advanced undergraduate students with an in-depth understanding of how the fields of developmental psychology and law intersect in relation to “children and the law.” Through weekly readings and collaborative discussion, students will acquire specific knowledge about children and the law including children’s disclosure of maltreatment, the interrogation of juvenile suspects, deception, and testimonial competency, among other topics. Research relevant to this seminar is interdisciplinary.

QUALIFICATIONS:

The successful candidate will have demonstrated excellent teaching contributions with a proven aptitude for teaching at the undergraduate level.

REQUIRED SKILLS:

• A proven commitment to providing innovative and inclusive teaching strategies.
• Evidence of an ability to work in a collaborative environment.
• Excellent communication skills with an ability to maintain effective relationships with a range of faculty, staff, and students.
• Candidates will have demonstrated excellence in teaching undergraduate students in a Psychology or Forensic Psychology program.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience with the Learning Management System, Canvas.
• Proven experience managing large classes and diverse populations.
• Experience coordinating and supervising Teaching Assistants as applicable.
• Excellent organizational skills are needed to effectively manage course delivery, the marking of assignments and exams and the ability respond to student enquiries in a timely manner.

EDUCATION:

A Ph.D. in Psychology/Forensic Psychology or ABD (by August 15th, 2025)

EXPERIENCE:

• Teaching and/or research experience in the area of Forensic Psychology is required.
• Preference will be given to applicants with teaching, research, and/or coursework experience related to children and the law.
  Priority will be given to an Internal Applicant who has taught any course for the University in three (3) different sessions in the past thirty-six (36) months, provided they meet the requirements for the position as outlined in the job posting.

The primary responsibility of the applicant is to (develop and) teach a theoretically, methodologically sophisticated and relevant course at the 4th-year undergraduate university level within the parameters of the course description. In keeping with a technology-enhanced learning environment utilizing laptop computers and wireless connectivity, the Sessional Lecturer will deliver the course using a technology-enhanced learning approach that includes a variety of inclusive teaching and learning strategies and assessments. The Sessional Lecturer will prepare, deliver, and grade all course material and assignments and be available for consultation with students during and following completion of the course session. Duties may include the supervision of teaching assistant(s).
This position falls within the bargaining unit represented by the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) and will be subject to the terms and conditions of the collective agreement between the University and PSAC. The collective agreement may be found on the Human Resources section of our website. Candidates will be required to certify that they are currently legally eligible to work in Canada for the duration of the contract.