Overview

This unit builds on the content from PSY80100, introducing information about the Australian legal systems in relation to young people and families, civil law, and alternative approaches to justice (e.g., mediation, alternative dispute resolution, therapeutic jurisprudence). Students will learn about the role of forensic psychologists with young people who offend, in assessing and responding to family violence, and in working with clients with specific responsivity and intersectional needs.

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

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  • Evaluate key strengths and weaknesses of alternative approaches to criminal justice
  • Analyse information and demonstrate understanding of factors relevant to offending involving young people and families
  • Critically evaluate methods of assessment and treatment when working with clients with specific and intersectional needs
  • Understand the structure and function of civil, administrative, youth and family-based legal systems in Australia, and the role of forensic psychology within these systems
  • Demonstrate awareness of personal biases, assumptions or beliefs that will impact the work of a forensic psychologist
  • Demonstrate knowledge relevant to assessment and treatment of offending behaviour by young people

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
On-campus
Class		3.50 11 weeks 38.5
Study Tour
Site Visit		5.00 1 week 5
Unspecified Activities
Independent Learning		8.58 12 weeks 103
TOTAL146.5

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
Online QuizIndividual 30% 2,4,5,6 
Presentation and ReportIndividual 25% 1,3,5 
Written AssignmentIndividual 45% 2,3,4,5 

Content

  • Theories of offending in young people and Australian youth justice systems
  • Psychological assessment and intervention with young people who offend
  • Understanding and working with families affected by family violence
  • Working with children affected by maltreatment
  • The child protection system and the role of psychologists in the Children’s Court
  • Forensic psychologists as experts in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia
  • Trauma and trauma-informed psychological work in forensic contexts 
  • Women who offend and intersectional needs in forensic contexts
  • Working with people with disability and neurodivergence in forensic contexts
  • Investigative interviewing in forensic psychological practice
  • The role of the forensic psychologist in administrative law and psychological injuries and torts
  • Alternative approaches to justice, dispute resolution and psychological considerations in these approaches
  • Graduate Attribute – Communication Skills: Verbal communication
  • Graduate Attribute – Teamwork Skills: Collaboration and negotiation
  • Graduate Attribute – Digital Literacies: Information literacy

This unit includes participation in an industry-linked 1 day workshop that is mandatory for Doctor of Psychology students and optional for Graduate Diploma in Forensic Psychology students. Details of the timing of the workshop will be shared by the unit convenor at the beginning of semester

Study resources

Reading materials

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