Forensic and Criminal Psychology (10448.1)

Please note these are the 2027 details for this unit
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Forensic and Criminal Psychology
Available teaching periods Delivery mode Location
View teaching periods On-campus
 Bruce, Canberra
EFTSL Credit points Faculty
0.125 3 Faculty Of Health
Discipline Study level HECS Bands
Psychology Level 3 - Undergraduate Advanced Unit Band 2 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan 2021)
Band 3 2021 (Commenced Before 1 Jan 2021)
This unit introduces students to the role of psychology in the Australian Justice System. We overview both the criminal and civil justice systems, the balance of proof in civil and criminal matters, and the role of psychology in police investigations and unpacking miscarriages of justice. We look at the psychology of criminal conduct and the development of criminal careers including why people engage in property and violent offending. Lastly, we examine the roles that psychology graduates and clinicians play in the management and rehabilitation of offenders.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Identify the various ways that forensic psychology can impact on justice outcomes;
2. Experience and reflect upon a criminal or civil trial through court visits;
3. Critically engage with, analyse and evaluate the literature on offending behaviour and offender rehabilitation; and
4. Critically apply knowledge of policing and miscarriages of justice to an applied case study.


Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
2. UC graduates are global citizens - adopt an informed and balanced approach across professional and international boundaries
2. UC graduates are global citizens - behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - be self-aware
4. UC graduates are able to demonstrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing - apply their knowledge to working with Indigenous Australians in socially just ways


Prerequisites

11399 Understanding People and Behaviour OR
10444 Foundations of Psychology OR permission of the unit convener AND must have completed 48 credit point.

Corequisites

None.

Incompatible units

None.

Equivalent units

8831 Introduction to Forensic Psychology

Assumed knowledge

None.
Availability for enrolment in 2027 is subject to change and may not be confirmed until closer to the teaching start date.
Year Location Teaching period Teaching start date Delivery mode Unit convener
2026 Bruce, Canberra Winter Term 08 June 2026 On-campus Dr Sally Kelty
2027 Bruce, Canberra Winter Term 07 June 2027 On-campus Dr Sally Kelty
The information provided should be used as a guide only. Timetables may not be finalised until week 2 of the teaching period and are subject to change. Search for the unit timetable.

Required texts

You do not need to purchase any textbooks for this unit.

All chapters or readings required will be in the UCLearn reading list tab.

Submission of assessment items

Extensions & Late submissions

Information about using GenAI and Extensions

Artificial intelligence and using Gen AI

Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools can aid your understanding of the variables we are discussing in this unit. Gen AI can assist you with the summary in assessment 1 and only the case report in assessment 3, but Gen AI cannot replace your own understanding of the material your are using in this unit, and your own independent research and thinking. If using genAI tools in assessment 1 and 3, (Discussion board, and cirtical decision case notes), YOU MUST acknowledge its use, and you must fact check your work, and revise/rewrite. Acknowledgement is not required for low-level tasks such as improving spelling, grammar, and quality of written expression.

You are responsible for content you submit. Be aware of limitations of genAI tools such as inaccuracies, biases, and incomplete content. Gen AI tools work best for topics you already understand, with carefully crafted prompting based on peer-reviewed research. Refine prompts for better results and fact-check generated content. Despite the risks, Gen AI tools can aid brainstorming, concept explanation, synthesis of ideas, and improve the readability and quality of written expression.

If you are unsure, post to the discussion forum, so we can all learn together.

For more information, see the detailed Gen AI guidelines.

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Extensions

Please read this information BEFORE contacting your unit convener for an extension.

1.  Assessment extensions will only be granted in exceptional circumstances.

2.  Students are expected to work on the assessment items throughout the teaching period. Early communication of problems is strongly advised. Students should assess early in the teaching period whether they have a reasonable likelihood of being able to complete the unit and should consider withdrawing by the census date, if required.

3.  Requests will require documentary evidence (see below for information on acceptable documentation) and must be submitted to the unit convener.

4.  To request an extension, email the unit convener with "Extension request" in the subject line and include:

a.      Which assessment item the extension is requested for (and which unit)

b.      Length of extension requested

c.      Reason for the extension request

d.      Attached documentary evidence as outline above in section 5B. 

Special assessment requirements

Students need to achieve an overall mark of at least 50% to pass the unit (you do not need to pass each assessment piece). 

Students must apply academic integrity in their learning and research activities at UC. This includes submitting authentic and original work for assessments and properly acknowledging any sources used.

Academic integrity involves the ethical, honest and responsible use, creation and sharing of information. It is critical to the quality of higher education. Our academic integrity values are honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility and courage.

UC students have to complete the Academic Integrity Module annually to learn about academic integrity and to understand the consequences of academic integrity breaches (or academic misconduct).

UC uses various strategies and systems, including detection software, to identify potential breaches of academic integrity. Suspected breaches may be investigated, and action can be taken when misconduct is found to have occurred.

Information is provided in the Academic Integrity Policy, Academic Integrity Procedure, and University of Canberra (Student Conduct) Rules 2023. For further advice, visit Study Skills.

Participation requirements

Students are expected to attend all on campus face to face lectures, or access lecture recordings online. The three tutorials are devised to help you prepare for the final assessment, and it is highly recommended that you attend. During tutorials we will be discussing criminal cases. It is expected that students are to be mindful of others' rights to teach and learn and be respectful of staff and fellow students and opinions that do not mirror your own. We ask you to be open-minded about the content in these classes. Please switch off mobile phones or turn to silent mode during lectures and during the tutorials, and that all personal/private conversations be conducted only DURING BREAKS and outside any on campus face to face classes.

It is strongly encouraged that all students attend the first lecture. This lecture will cover the unit overview and will discuss the assessment items. This first lecture will be recorded however, and it is advised this lecture is listened to within the first week so students can adequately prepare their time. 

Required IT skills

Students are expected to have basic IT skills in order to navigate UCLearn and attend letures and tutorials.  

Regular access to UCLearn site is a requirement for students enrolled in this unit to enable access to announcements, discussion forums, completion of the mid-semester assessment and for the online submission of assessments. It is also expected that all students will have basic word-processing skills. 

Work placement, internships or practicums

None

Additional information

Warning. The content of this unit covers material some people may find disturbing. 

We will be looking in detail at the psychology and motivation of child and adult sexual abuse, violent offending, intimate partner and family violence and the investigation of homicide and the suspicious death of adults. We will be covering the psychology and implications for victims of domestic and family violence cases and the sexual abuse of children.  

Next step

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