PSYCHOL 4210 - Human Behaviour & Criminal Justice: Applying Psychology

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2020

Learn how psychological science can be applied to improve criminal justice systems. This course will take real cases from around the world and apply principles and findings from psychology to illustrate how to improve the fairness and efficiency of legal systems. We will explore the factors behind wrongful convictions of the innocent. The course will cover topics including the application of memory research to aiding the decisions of eyewitnesses?, interviewing witnesses, juror decision making and forensic science evidence, and forensic reasoning and bias. Students will develop their skills in applying research findings to real world problems, critical analysis of arguments and data, and communication of psychology to community members and other professions.

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Course Details

Course Code	PSYCHOL 4210
Course	Human Behaviour & Criminal Justice: Applying Psychology
Coordinating Unit	Psychology
Term	Semester 1
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	3
Contact	Up to two hours per week
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	N
Incompatible	PSYCHOL 4309, PSYCHOL 4209
Restrictions	Available to B.Psychology (Honours) and B.Psychology (Advanced)(Honours) students only
Assessment	Written minor assessments and written major assessment

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Professor Carolyn Semmler

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

Course Learning Outcomes

1. Understand the application of psychological research to legal contexts

2. Communicate the value of psychological science to solving problems

3. Understand the role of expert psychological evidence in Australian courts

4. Tailor scientific information for communication to lay audiences

5. Design evidence-based interventions to solve problems in applied contexts

University Graduate Attributes

This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

University Graduate Attribute	Course Learning Outcome(s)
Deep discipline knowledge informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1 accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)	1,3
Critical thinking and problem solving steeped in research methods and rigor based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment	2
Teamwork and communication skills developed from, with, and via the SGDE honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning	4
Career and leadership readiness technology savvy professional and, where relevant, fully accredited forward thinking and well informed tested and validated by work based experiences	1
Intercultural and ethical competency adept at operating in other cultures comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges	4
Self-awareness and emotional intelligence a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate	4

Learning Resources

Required Resources

There are no required resources for this course. Readings and cases will be made available via MyUni throughout the course.

Recommended Resources

Web-links to legal resources and study guides will be provided to students during this course.

Online Learning

Material from the seminars offered during the semester will be made available on MyUni.

This course may use MyUni for one or more of the following:
- Communication with the teaching team via Announcements and Discussion Board
- Submission of summative assessment
- Access to additional readings and internet resources
- Self-directed learning activities
- Assessment preparation materials
Learning & Teaching Activities

Learning & Teaching Modes

Series of interactive face-to-face seminars is supported by online resources in MyUni.

Workload

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

Full details are available in MyUni.

Learning Activities Summary

Full details are available in My Uni. Each week will focus upon a specific set of cases with discussions centred on key questions regarding the psychological aspects of the case. Experts in forensic and legal disciplines may lead these discussions.

Specific Course Requirements

None applicable

Small Group Discovery Experience

None applicable

The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
Assessment must maintain academic standards.

Assessment Summary

Assessment Task	Weighting	Learning Outcomes Assessed
Case Review	30	1,3,4
Expert Evidence Report	70	1,2,4 & 5

Assessment Related Requirements

None applicable

Assessment Detail

Assessment Task	Weighting	Hurdle Requirement	Learning Outcome(s) Assessed
Case Study/ Review	30%	No	1,3
Expert Report	70%	No	2,4,5

Case Study/Review (Weighting 30%): Students will find and review a case where expert forensic testimony has been provided and assess the scientific basis for that testimony – applying the principles of measurement reliability, validity to the forensic discipline in question. They will propose a method for improving the collection or use of the evidence in the case - supported by scientific reasoning.

Expert Report (Weighting 70%): Students will provide and brief of evidence in the form of an amicus curiae report. This will apply the literature from a specific area of psychological research to help resolve a legal question in dispute in the case (e.g., eyewitness evidence, confession or alibi evidence, forensic evidence).

Submission

Online submission using Turn-it-in via MyUni will be required for each assessment.

Course Grading

Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
Grade	Mark	Description
FNS		Fail No Submission
F	1-49	Fail
P	50-64	Pass
C	65-74	Credit
D	75-84	Distinction
HD	85-100	High Distinction
CN		Continuing
NFE		No Formal Examination
RP		Result Pending

Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

Student Feedback

The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
Student Support
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
Fraud Awareness

Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

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Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator