lcr2psy forensic psychology and the law
INTRODUCTION TO FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY AND THE LAW
LCR2PSY
2018
Credit points: 15
Subject outline
This subject identifies and critically evaluates the use of psychological methodologies in assessing human behaviour; psychological process such as perception, cognition and recall; and the use of expert evidence and the criminal law. Scientific literature on psychological factors influencing eyewitness identification, memory, recall, and systemic factors in the legal system will be critically evaluated. The subject will also cover risk assessment of violent and sexual offenders, forensic psychological issues relating to drug crime, miscarriages of justice and pseudo-science, the psychology of interrogations and false confessions, detecting deception, and the psychological dimensions of juror decision-making.
SchoolLa Trobe Law School
Credit points15
Subject Co-ordinatorSuzanne O'Toole
Available to Study Abroad StudentsYes
Subject year levelYear Level 2 - UG
Exchange StudentsYes
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites LAW1LIM AND Admission into; LBLX Bachelor of Laws (Complementary) LVLGE;LVLGEB Bachelor of Laws LVLUE;LVLUEB Bachelor of Laws LWLAS Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Asian Studies LWLAT;LWLATB Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Arts LWLBUSB Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Business LWLEE Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Electronic Engineering LWLINT Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of International Relations LWLMC Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Media and Communication LWLPY;LWLPYB Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Psychological Science LWLSC;LWLSCB Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Science LZCOML Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Laws LZCRL;LZCRLB Bachelor of Criminology/Bachelor of Laws LBCR;LBCRB Bachelor of Criminology LZCPY;LZCPYB Bachelor of Criminology/Bachelor of Psychological Science LWLFI Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Finance LWLF Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Finance LWLM Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Media LWLA LWLAC Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Accounting LWLBUS Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Business LWLE LWLEC Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Economics LWLIR Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of International Relations LWLFI Laws/Finance LWLAC Laws/Accounting LWLBUS (BU) Laws/Business
Co-requisitesN/A
Incompatible subjectsN/A
Equivalent subjectsN/A
Special conditions Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Psychological Science may take this subject as a Law Elective.
Learning resources
Readings
| Resource Type | Title | Resource Requirement | Author and Year | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Readings | Legal Psychology in Australia | Prescribed | Mark Nolan and Jane Goodman-Delahunty; 2015 | Thomson Reuters |
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
01. Demonstrate a capacity to understand and critically evaluate key concepts relating to forensic psychology and the law
- Activities:
- Presentations and tutorials emphasizing the meaning of legal terminology in the context of psychology. Students are required to use new language in discussion and written settings. Assessment requiring identification and analysis of key concepts requiring reading and analysis of primary and secondary legal materials.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Autonomy and independence,Study and Learning Skills)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
02. Explain and critique case-based and statutory principles relating to forensic psychology and the law
- Activities:
- Frameworks for doctrines explained and illustrated in presentations, individual student reading of cases and texts provided in the Course Materials and in-class discussions to clarify and evaluate applications.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Autonomy and independence,Study and Learning Skills)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
03. Demonstrate a developed capacity to integrate case-based and statutory principles to arrive at a solution to a problem raised in a given fact situation
- Activities:
- Argument development and evaluation modelled through case-study examples in lectures and concept presentations. Individual student reading of cases and textbooks and in- class discussions to clarify and evaluate applications.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Autonomy and independence,Study and Learning Skills)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
04. Demonstrate understanding of the policy environment in which the interaction between psychology and the law is debated and resolved
- Activities:
- Argument development and evaluation modelled through case-study examples in presentations. Individual student reading of cases and textbooks and in-class discussions to clarify and evaluate.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Autonomy and independence,Study and Learning Skills)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
05. Write effectively using the principles of plain legal English
- Activities:
- Tutorial discussion and concept presentations emphasising the necessity for clarity; modelling of written case studies, assessment tasks requiring written communication to a range of audiences.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Autonomy and independence,Study and Learning Skills)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
Subject options
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Melbourne, 2018, Semester 1, Blended
Overview
Online enrolmentYes
Maximum enrolment sizeN/A
Enrolment information
Subject Instance Co-ordinatorSuzanne O'Toole
Class requirements
Lecture/SeminarWeek: 10 - 22
One 2.0 hours lecture/seminar per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via blended.
TutorialWeek: 10 - 22
One 1.0 hours tutorial per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research essay (1000 word equivalent) | To be submitted and marked online. No hard copy submission required. | 30 | 01, 05 |
| One take-home examination (3000 word equivalent) | 70 | 01, 02, 03, 04, 05 |