| Effective Term: | 2025/05 |
| Institute / School : | Institute of Health and Wellbeing |
| Unit Title: | Forensic Behavioural Science |
| Unit ID: | BEHAV2004 |
| Credit Points: | 15.00 |
| Prerequisite(s): | Nil |
| Co-requisite(s): | Nil |
| Exclusion(s): | (ATSGC3844 and BEHAV3002) |
| ASCED: | 090701 |
| Other Change: | |
| Brief description of the Unit |
This course provides students with an introduction to the fascinating field of forensic behavioural science and explores the intersection between psychology and the law. In this course, we apply psychological theories and research to problems of law and the legal system and examine how psychology can provide insight into topics such as criminal profiling, psychological disorders and criminal offending, the accuracy of eyewitness testimonies, and screening and training of police. |
| Grade Scheme: | Graded (HD, D, C, P, MF, F, XF) |
| Work Experience Indicator: |
| No work experience |
| Placement Component: No |
| Supplementary Assessment:Yes |
| Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment |
| Course Level: |
| Level of Unit in Course | AQF Level(s) of Course | | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | | Introductory | | | | | | | | Intermediate | | |  | | | | | Advanced | | | | | | |
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| Learning Outcomes: |
| Knowledge: |
| K1. | Describe, discuss and appraise psychological theories, principles and knowledge across a broad range of forensic contexts. |
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| K2. | Describe and evaluate how psychological theories and research can be applied to inform legal decisions and procedures. |
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| Skills: |
| S1. | Review and critique the psychological evidence used to support current approaches to forensic psychology. |
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| S2. | Interpret and critically evaluate psychological research across forensic contexts. |
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| Application of knowledge and skills: |
| A1. | Effectively communicate the role of psychology in forensic contexts using various formats (e.g., written and verbal). |
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| A2. | Apply psychological theories and research to a diverse range of forensic contexts. |
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| A3. | Capacity to independently research, evaluate and identify evidence appropriate to inform ones position. |
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| Unit Content: |
This may include:
Topics may include:
1. psychology and the law
2. psychology and crime
3. psychology of police
4. evaluating witnesses and suspects
5. psychology of victims
6. jury selection
7. forensic assessment
8. psychology of punishment |
| Graduate Attributes: |
| Federation University recognises that students require key transferable employability skills to prepare them for their future workplace and society. FEDTASKS (Transferable Attributes Skills and Knowledge) provide a targeted focus on five key transferable Attributes, Skills, and Knowledge that are be embedded within curriculum, developed gradually towards successful measures and interlinked with cross-discipline and Co-operative Learning opportunities. One or more FEDTASK, transferable Attributes, Skills or Knowledge must be evident in the specified learning outcomes and assessment for each FedUni Unit, and all must be directly assessed in each Course.
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| FED TASK and descriptor | Development and acquisition of FEDTASKS in the Unit | | Level | FEDTASK 1
Interpersonal | Students will demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate, inter-act and work with others both individually and in groups. Students will be required to display skills in-person and/or online in: • Using effective verbal and non-verbal communication • Listening for meaning and influencing via active listening • Showing empathy for others • Negotiating and demonstrating conflict resolution skills • Working respectfully in cross-cultural and diverse teams. | Level 1 - Students require directions and boundaries from mentor | FEDTASK 2
Leadership | Students will demonstrate the ability to apply professional skills and behaviours in leading others. Students will be required to display skills in: • Creating a collegial environment • Showing self -awareness and the ability to self-reflect • Inspiring and convincing others • Making informed decisions • Displaying initiative | N/A - Not Applicable | FEDTASK 3
Critical Thinking and Creativity | Students will demonstrate an ability to work in complexity and ambiguity using the imagination to create new ideas. Students will be required to display skills in: • Reflecting critically • Evaluating ideas, concepts and information • Considering alternative perspectives to refine ideas • Challenging conventional thinking to clarify concepts • Forming creative solutions in problem solving. | Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines | FEDTASK 4
Digital Literacy | Students will demonstrate the ability to work fluently across a range of tools, platforms and applications to achieve a range of tasks. Students will be required to display skills in: • Finding, evaluating, managing, curating, organising and sharing digital information • Collating, managing, accessing and using digital data securely • Receiving and responding to messages in a range of digital media • Contributing actively to digital teams and working groups • Participating in and benefiting from digital learning opportunities. | Level 1 - Students require directions and boundaries from mentor | FEDTASK 5
Sustainable and Ethical Mindset | Students will demonstrate the ability to consider and assess the consequences and impact of ideas and actions in enacting ethical and sustainable decisions. Students will be required to display skills in: • Making informed judgments that consider the impact of devising solutions in global economic environmental and societal contexts • Committing to social responsibility as a professional and a citizen • Evaluating ethical, socially responsible and/or sustainable challenges and generating and articulating responses • Embracing lifelong, life-wide and life-deep learning to be open to diverse others • Implementing required actions to foster sustainability in their professional and personal life. | Level 1 - Students require directions and boundaries from mentor |
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| | Learning Outcomes Assessed | Assessment Tasks | Assessment Type | Weighting | | 1. | K1, K2, S1, S2, A1, A2, A3 | Independently research and apply appropriate knowledge of psychological science to a forensic context. | Written Task | 25-50% | | 2. | K1, K2, S1, S2, A1, A2, A3 | Present a verbal argument applying knowledge of psychological science to a forensic context. | Oral presentation | 15-35% | | 3. | K1, K2, S1, S2, A2 | Mastery of course content: Demonstrate and apply knowledge from the course in response to multiple-choice and/or short-answer questions. | Test/tests | 25-45% |
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