PY2110 - Forensic Psychology

[Offered in odd-numbered years in Townsville, Cairns. ]

Credit points:	03
Year:	2012
Student Contribution Band:	Band 1
Administered by:	School of Arts & Social Sciences

Forensic psychology explores emotional and behavioural issues that relate to the law and legal systems. Psychological knowledge is applied to the understanding of crime and criminal justice. This subject examines the role a forensic psychologist plays in the provision of advice to personnel within the justice system; the diagnosis and treatment of incarcerated and probationed offenders and techniques used to screen and evaluate personnel in the law enforcement and judicial systems. Germane topics in abnormal psychology, clinical psychology, personality and developmental psychology, psychometric testing and social psychology are dealt with insofar as they inform the tasks of psychologists in forensic settings.

Learning Outcomes

• assist the student to develop anawareness of the ethical issues that arise when working within the sub-discipline of forensic psychology;
• illustrate the links between forensic psychology and other areas of psychology, such as abnormal psychology and social psychology;
• provide a basic knowledge of the tools and techniques used by the forensic psychologist whilst working within the various areas of the sub-discipline;
• provide a working knowledge of the broad areas that forensic psychology encompasses.

Assumed Knowledge:	To undertake this subject, students must have successfully completed 12 credit points (four subjects) of level 1 study at tertiary level
Prerequisites:	(PY1001 OR PY1101) OR (PY1002 OR PY 1102)

Availabilities
JCU Singapore, Internal, Study Period 52
Census Date 09-Aug-2012
Coordinator:	Professor Russell Hawkins
Lecturer:	Dr Julia Lam.
Contact hours:	24 hours lectures 12 hours tutorials 12 hours practicals
Assessment:	end of semester exam (50%); quizzes or tests (25%); essays (25%).

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.