HPS206 - Forensic Psychology

Unit details

Year:

2024 unit information

Enrolment modes:

Trimester 2: Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Online
Trimester 3: Community Based Delivery (CBD)*, Online

Credit point(s):1
EFTSL value:0.125
Unit Chair:Trimester 2: Bianca Klettke
Trimester 3: Dominika Howard
Previously:

Forensic Psychology

Prerequisite:

Nil

Corequisite:Nil
Incompatible with: Nil
Typical study commitment:

Students will on average spend 150 hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit.

This will include educator guided online learning activities within the unit site.

Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - on-campus unit enrolment:

4 x 2 hour online masterclass per trimester 
1 x 1 hour on-campus seminar per week

Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - online unit enrolment:

Trimester 2
4 x 2 hour online masterclass per trimester 
1 x 1 hour online seminar per week

Trimester 3
4 x 2 hour masterclass (pre-recorded) per trimester
1 x 1 hour online seminar per week

Note:

*National Indigenous Knowledges, Education, Research and Innovation (NIKERI) Institute students only.

This unit may not be included as a part of a 10 point accredited major sequence in psychology (as required for application for further study in psychology).

Content

This unit will provide students with an introduction to Forensic Psychology. Students will be introduced to the structure of the Justice Systems in Australia, and will learn the fundamental principles involved in research and practice in the forensic context.

More specifically, the unit focuses on important practice issues that can arise in forensic psychology related work (e.g., ethical dilemmas and challenges inherent in client engagement). It examines theories and research in the area of sexual violence, family violence, substance-related offending, and family court matters, and explores the complexities associated with mental illness, disability, age, and cross-cultural issues in the forensic context. The unit has a strong applied focus, and will present students with the introductory skills needed in the conduct of psychology-related work with forensic populations.

The content and discussion in this unit will necessarily engage with sexual assault, abuse, violence, victimisation and mental illness. Some of this content may be challenging to engage with, and students should reflect on whether this unit is suitable for them to undertake. The teaching team will do their best to ensure students can engage bravely, empathetically and thoughtfully with difficult content each week.

ULO These are the Learning Outcomes (ULO) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes

ULO1

Accurately describe the structure of the Justice System in Australia and the varied roles that psychologists can play.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO2: Communication

ULO2

Clearly identify and critically evaluate the process issues that can arise in the conduct of psychology related work with forensic populations.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO2: Communication
GLO3: Digital literacy
GLO4: Critical thinking
GLO5: Problem solving
GLO8: Global citizenship

ULO3

Understand the psychological factors that underlie violence and substance misuse.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO2: Communication
GLO3: Digital literacy
GLO4: Critical thinking
GLO5: Problem solving

ULO4

Understand the challenges associated with working with families and family court matters.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO2: Communication
GLO3: Digital literacy
GLO4: Critical thinking
GLO5: Problem solving

ULO5

Critically appraise competence and understand the impact that mental illness, disability and/or age may pose.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO2: Communication
GLO3: Digital literacy
GLO4: Critical thinking
GLO5: Problem solving

ULO6

Accurately identify the importance of cultural competence and the need for culturally sensitive practice.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO2: Communication
GLO3: Digital literacy
GLO4: Critical thinking
GLO5: Problem solving
GLO8: Global citizenship

Assessment

Assessment description Student output Grading and weighting
(% total mark for unit)
Indicative due week
Assessment 1: Recorded Narrated Presentation 10 minutes 35%
  • Week 5
Assessment 2: Case study assignment 1750 words 45%
  • Week 9
Assessment 3: End-of-Unit Assessment 60 minutes 20%
  • End-of-unit assessment period

The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.

Learning Resource

The texts and reading list for the unit can be found on the University Library via the link below: HPS206 Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.

Unit Fee Information

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