Overview

This unit builds on students’ knowledge of forensic psychology gained from earlier units in the course. The content focusses on the legal system and the relationship between psychology and offenders, the courts and policing.

Requisites

Prerequisites
FOR10001 Introduction to Forensic Psychology

Equivalent
HAY320 - Advanced Topics in Forensic Psychology and SHAY320 - Advanced Topics in Forensic Psychology

Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Teaching Period 2
Location
Online
Start and end dates
07-July-2025
05-October-2025
Last self-enrolment date
20-July-2025
Census date
01-August-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
22-August-2025
Results released date
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
04-August-2025
02-November-2025
Last self-enrolment date
17-August-2025
Census date
31-August-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
19-September-2025
Results released date
09-December-2025

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  • Explain the specific aspects of law and psychology that relate to forensic psychology
  • Describe the relevant aspects of the Australian Legal System that relate to issues of importance to forensic psychology
  • Apply the theoretical models of forensic psychology to a range of relevant contexts
  • Assess the various research and evaluation models employed in forensic psychology
  • Assess how forensic psychology and the law play a role in both criminal and civil issues
  • Integrate the theoretical models with practical issues faced by forensic psychologists in Australia

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
On-campus
Class		3.00 12 weeks 36
Specified Activities
Various		5.00 12 weeks 60
Unspecified Activities
Independent Learning		4.50 12 weeks 54
TOTAL150

Swinburne Online

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
Live Online
Class		1.00 12 weeks 12
Online
Directed Online Learning and Independent Learning		11.50 12 weeks 138
TOTAL150

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
EssayIndividual 35% 2,3 
ExaminationIndividual 45% 5,6 
Mid-Semester TestIndividual 20% 1,2,4 

Content

    • The history of forensic psychology
    • Models and psychological foundations
    • Legal issues and the Australian legal system
    • Police and psychology
    • Courts and psychology
    • Corrections and psychology
    • Conceptualisations of justice
    • The future of forensic psychology

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.