INTRODUCTION TO FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY AND THE LAW

LCR2PSY

2020

Credit points: 15

Subject outline

This subject introduces students to a range of topics where psychological research has shaped criminal law and procedure. Case studies will be examined to explore how systemic factors and procedures in the criminal justice system have evolved to take into account developments in understanding human behaviour and as a result of increased awareness of miscarriages of justice. Topics include: the psychological factors influencing eyewitness identification - specifically factors relevant to memory, perception and recall; the psychology of interrogations and false confessions; the detection of deception; and the psychological dimensions of juror decision-making. This subject also examines the laws and procedures relevant to the criminal prosecution of people with mental illness and/or cognitive impairment, including fitness to stand trial and the defence of mental impairment, as well as the rules relating to expert evidence in criminal trials. The subject concludes with an examination of the psychological literature relevant to some special categories of offenders, such as juvenile offenders, violent offenders and sex offenders.

School: La Trobe Law School (Pre 2022)

Credit points: 15

Subject Co-ordinator: Suzanne O'Toole

Available to Study Abroad/Exchange Students: Yes

Subject year level: Year Level 2 - UG

Exchange Students: No

Available as Elective: No

Learning Activities: N/A

Capstone subject: No

Subject particulars

Subject rules

Prerequisites: LAW1LIM OR LCR1CSS OR LCR1ALS

Co-requisites: N/A

Incompatible subjects: N/A

Equivalent subjects: N/A

Quota Management Strategy: N/A

Quota-conditions or rules: N/A

Special conditions: N/A

Minimum credit point requirement: N/A

Assumed knowledge: N/A

Learning resources

Legal Psychology in Australia

Resource Type: Book

Resource Requirement: Prescribed

Author: Mark Nolan and Jane Goodman-Delahunty

Year: 2015

Edition/Volume: N/A

Publisher: Thomson Reuters

ISBN: N/A

Chapter/article title: N/A

Chapter/issue: N/A

URL: N/A

Other description: N/A

Source location: N/A

Career Ready

Career-focused: No

Work-based learning: No

Self sourced or Uni sourced: N/A

Entire subject or partial subject: N/A

Total hours/days required: N/A

Location of WBL activity (region): N/A

WBL addtional requirements: N/A

Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes

Graduate Capabilities

COMMUNICATION - Communicating and Influencing

DISCIPLINE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

INQUIRY AND ANALYSIS - Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

INQUIRY AND ANALYSIS - Research and Evidence-Based Inquiry

PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL - Adaptability and Self-Management

Intended Learning Outcomes

01. Demonstrate a capacity to understand and critically evaluate key concepts relating to forensic psychology and the law

02. Explain and critique case-based and statutory principles relating to forensic psychology and the law

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

04. Demonstrate understanding of the policy environment in which the interaction between psychology and the law is debated and resolved

05. Write effectively using the principles of plain legal English

Bendigo, 2020, Semester 1, Blended

Overview

Online enrolment: Yes

Maximum enrolment size: N/A

Enrolment information: N/A

Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Suzanne O'Toole

Class requirements

Lecture/SeminarWeek: 10 - 22
One 2.00 hours lecture/seminar per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via blended.

TutorialWeek: 11 - 22
One 1.00 hour tutorial per week on weekdays during the day from week 11 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.

Assessments

Assessment element	Comments	Category	Contribution	Hurdle	%	ILO*
Research essay or report (1500 word equivalent)To be submitted and marked online. No hard copy submission required.	N/A	N/A	N/A	No	30	SILO1, SILO5
One take-home examination (2000 word equivalent)To be submitted and marked online. No hard copy submission required.	N/A	N/A	N/A	No	55	SILO1, SILO2, SILO3, SILO4, SILO5
Online Quiz (500 words equivalent)To be submitted and marked online. No hard copy submission required.	N/A	N/A	N/A	No	15	SILO1, SILO3, SILO4

Melbourne (Bundoora), 2020, Semester 1, Blended