About the Course

The Power & Pitfalls of Eyewitness Testimony

Eyewitness testimony is often viewed as one of the most powerful forms of evidence in a legal case, but human memory is complicated. In this expert-led mini course taught by CTY Executive Director and cognitive neuroscientist Amy Lynne Shelton, PhD, we’ll examine the cognitive psychology and neuroscience behind our affinity for the first-hand account, the impressive nature of human memory, and how and why it can also be flawed. We’ll engage in activities that explore and demonstrate the power and limitations of eyewitness evidence and the cognitive systems that support memory. You will engage in discussions with fellow students and our expert instructor about what we do and do not know about the validity of eyewitness testimony.

Meeting times: 8-9:30 p.m. ET, Mondays

Time commitment: 2-4 hours per week (90 minutes of synchronous class time, 1-2 hours of independent work, optional instructor office hour)

Course Overview


Faculty Biography

Amy Lynne Shelton is CTY’s executive director and principal investigator on multiple CTY research projects and a professor on the faculty of the Johns Hopkins School of Education. Her research interests include cognitive psychology and education, with a focus on spatial skills, individual differences, and mechanisms of learning—couched in the broad context of understanding the characterization and needs of each individual learner. Before joining CTY, she served on the faculty of the Johns Hopkins University Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences. Shelton earned a BS in psychology from Illinois State University, and an MA and PhD in cognitive psychology from Vanderbilt University.
 


About CTY Expert-Led Mini Courses

Learn from the best in CTY’s expert-led mini courses. Taught over 1-3 sessions in our dynamic virtual classrooms, these short survey courses are designed to give students the opportunity to learn from an expert in the field, discover new interests, engage with a community of advanced learners, and take a course that suits their busy schedule.

This course is

ungraded.

Classes

Register for an Online course by selecting an open class below. If no open classes are listed, then course enrollment is currently closed. Note: You will need to have an active CTY Account to complete registration through MyCTY

 

This course is not open for enrollment at this time.

Testing and Prerequisites

  Math Verbal
Required Level CTY-Level or CTY-Level
Check your eligibility using existing test scores If you do not have existing test scores:

Students must achieve qualifying scores on an advanced assessment to be eligible for CTY programs. If you don’t have qualifying scores, you have several different testing options. We’ll help you find the right option for your situation.

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Cost and Financial Aid

  • Tuition
    • Varies
  • Application fee
    • Nonrefundable Application Fee - $15 (Waived for financial aid applicants)
    • Nonrefundable International Fee - $20 (outside US only)

Financial Aid

We have concluded our financial aid application review process for Academic Year 2023-2024 Online Programs (Courses with start dates July 1, 2023-June 30, 2024). Our application for Academic Year 2024-2025 Online Programs is expected to open in January. We encourage those who may need assistance in the future to apply for aid as early as possible.

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Technical Requirements

This course requires a computer with high-speed Internet access and an up-to-date web browser such as Chrome or Firefox. You must be able to communicate with the instructor via email. Visit the Technical Requirements and Support page for more details.

This course uses a virtual classroom for instructor-student communication. The classroom works on standard computers with the Zoom desktop client, and on tablets or handhelds that support the Zoom Mobile app. Recorded meetings can only be viewed on a computer with the Zoom desktop client installed. The Zoom desktop client and Zoom Mobile App are both free to download.

Terms & Conditions

Students may interact in online classrooms and meetings that include peers, instructors, and occasional special guests.

Courses may include videos from the web. Recommendations or links at the end of videos are provided by the video host and are not CTY recommendations. 

After a you complete a course, your projects may be used to illustrate work for future students. 

About History and Social Science at CTY

Our online History and Social Science courses include the study of economics, U.S. history and government, world history, and psychology. Reading and writing are at the heart of all our offerings. Courses for older students cover material typically found in introductory college-level classes, while younger scholars enjoy studying world history and geography. All courses are guided by expert instructors who connect with you through virtual class meetings and interactive review workshops. Whichever course you choose, you’ll gain important insights into the inner workings of government, world civilizations, global culture, and the human mind.

Dig into World History and Geography

In the newly created Preparation for AP World History and Geography Eastern Hemisphere and Preparation for AP World History and Geography Western Hemisphere courses, students explore fascinating historical concepts of the past through historical analysis, engaging discussions, and dynamic live sessions. Students meet with their instructor and peers each week to investigate transformative world events and discuss their thoughts with one another. Taking these courses will help students prepare for the challenge of AP History courses.

Meet our History and Social Sciences Instructors