Overview

This unit introduces the Australian legal system and clarifies the relationship between the law and other social institutions. Students will learn the role and discretion of the various players in the legal system and, in particular, the areas to which the forensic psychologist contributes.

Requisites

Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
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:

  • Analyse, appraise and explain the origins of criminal behaviour and methods for assessing risk of crime
  • Design and implement interventions appropriate for individuals’ criminogenic needs, tailored to individual risk factors
  • Develop competence in assessments within the criminal forensic psychology domain and understand the psychologists role in assisting courts in criminal matters

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
On-campus
Class		3.50 11 weeks 38.5
Unspecified Activities
Various		6.43 15 weeks 96.5
On-campus
Workshop		15.00 1 week 15
TOTAL150

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
Class PresentationIndividual 20% 1,2 
EssayIndividual 80% 3 
Class PresentationIndividual 20% 1,3 
EssayIndividual 80% 1,2,3 
Reflective EssayIndividual 0% 3 

Content

  • Theories of crime and criminal behaviour (including developmental perspectives)
  • Sexual offender assessment, treatment and management
  • Violent offender assessment, treatment and management
  • Report writing in the forensic context
  • Sentencing
  • Assessment and treatment of mentally disordered offenders
  • Malingering and deception
  • Special populations (Women and Indigenous Offenders)

Study resources

Reading materials

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