LAW629
Download as PDF
LAW & BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE
Course Title
LAW & BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE
Course Number
629
Min
2
Course Types
Letter Grading, Writing Requirement
Credit Type
GPA SEMINARS
Description
May satisfy Writing Requirement.
Over the last 30 years, psychologists and economists have joined forces to study how people process information and actually make decisions, rather than how they would make decisions if they were fully rational and entirely self-interested. This research program (dubbed behavioral economics or, more broadly, behavioral science) has provided an understanding of how people's decisions deviate from "optimal" choices as well as the consequences of such deviations. In this seminar, we will critically assess the role of behavioral science in the law, starting with "classic" papers and moving to recent cutting-edge empirical studies and commentary. Law and behavioral science is a potentially broad field with a range of methods and applications. Thus, we will be approaching the diverse material through a critical lens: how does understanding quotidian human behavior matter for the law? At the end of this course, you should have an informed opinion on this question, based on your mastery of the subgoals of the course and your work on a summative research paper on a behavioral science and law topic of your choice. Students should register for this class only if they have prior experience writing a research paper such as an undergraduate thesis.
Over the last 30 years, psychologists and economists have joined forces to study how people process information and actually make decisions, rather than how they would make decisions if they were fully rational and entirely self-interested. This research program (dubbed behavioral economics or, more broadly, behavioral science) has provided an understanding of how people's decisions deviate from "optimal" choices as well as the consequences of such deviations. In this seminar, we will critically assess the role of behavioral science in the law, starting with "classic" papers and moving to recent cutting-edge empirical studies and commentary. Law and behavioral science is a potentially broad field with a range of methods and applications. Thus, we will be approaching the diverse material through a critical lens: how does understanding quotidian human behavior matter for the law? At the end of this course, you should have an informed opinion on this question, based on your mastery of the subgoals of the course and your work on a summative research paper on a behavioral science and law topic of your choice. Students should register for this class only if they have prior experience writing a research paper such as an undergraduate thesis.