NS5365 - Ethical Considerations in Forensic Mental Health

Credit points:	03
Year:	2009
Student Contribution Band:	Band 4
Administered by:	Discipline of Nursing, Midwifery & Nutrition

The ethical basis of psychiatric systems as they apply to forensic services and the relationships between ethics, law and social policy. Ethical aspects of the treatment and punishment of mentally ill offenders. Mentally ill offenders and evil. Mental illness, psychopathy and morals. Ethical aspects of working with mentally ill offenders.

Learning Outcomes

• to critically discuss contemporary concepts of security, control, treatment, advocacy and patient empowerment as they apply in forensic settings;
• to critically discuss ethical aspects of psychiatric systems as they apply to forensic services and of treatment and punishment of mentally ill offenders and as they are reflected in law and social policy;
• to critically discuss the concept of psychopathy and its moral implications;
• to critically evaluate concepts of evil and their relationship to serious offending by mentally ill people, including the mad bad debate;
• to describe the ethical obligations of professionals working with mentally ill offenders, including the response to carer guilt and anger.

Graduate Qualities

• The ability to think critically, to analyse and evaluate claims, evidence and arguments, and to reason and deploy evidence clearly and logically;
• The ability to find and access information using appropriate media and technologies;
• The ability to evaluate that information;
• An understanding of the economic, legal, ethical, social and cultural issues involved in the use of information;
• The ability to reflect on and evaluate learning, and to learn independently in a self directed manner;
• The ability to read complex and demanding texts accurately, critically and insightfully;
• The ability to speak and write clearly, coherently and creatively;
• The ability to work individually and independently;
• The ability to select and use appropriate tools and technologies;
• The ability to use online technologies effectively and ethically.

Prerequisites:

NS5360

Availabilities
External, Study Period 1
Census Date 27-Mar-2009
Coordinator:	Professor Colin Holmes
Method of Delivery:	and WWW - LearnJCUPrinted materials
Assessment:	assignments.

Note: Minor variations might occur due to the continuous Subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.