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2024 unit information
Trimester 2: Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong), OnlineTrimester 3: Community Based Delivery (CBD)*, Online
Forensic Psychology
Nil
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.
4 x 2 hour online masterclass per trimester 1 x 1 hour on-campus seminar per week
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
*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).
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.
ULO1
Accurately describe the structure of the Justice System in Australia and the varied roles that psychologists can play.
GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilitiesGLO2: Communication
ULO2
Clearly identify and critically evaluate the process issues that can arise in the conduct of psychology related work with forensic populations.
ULO3
Understand the psychological factors that underlie violence and substance misuse.
GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilitiesGLO2: CommunicationGLO3: Digital literacyGLO4: Critical thinkingGLO5: Problem solving
ULO4
Understand the challenges associated with working with families and family court matters.
ULO5
Critically appraise competence and understand the impact that mental illness, disability and/or age may pose.
ULO6
Accurately identify the importance of cultural competence and the need for culturally sensitive practice.
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.
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.
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Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.
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