Outline

Overview

Forensic psychology is the application of psychological knowledge and theories to all aspects of the criminal and civil justice systems. It is currently one of the fastest developing and most popular aspects of psychology. In this unit we will draw upon psychological evidence to explain and understand some of the people and processes involved in the legal system. Through a series of interactive seminars, we will discuss topics such as lie detection, profiling, interviewing, jury deliberation, eyewitness memory, criminal offenders, victims of crime, and police officers.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	LAWS6970
Academic unit	Law
Credit points	6
Prohibitions ?	PSYC1001 or PSYC3020
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Helen Paterson, helen.paterson@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Helen Paterson, helen.paterson@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Supervised exam ?	Exam (50%) Exam - five mini essay questions	0%	Formal exam period	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Participation	Participation (10%) Participation in class	0%	Ongoing Closing date: 26 May 2023	Contribute at least once per class
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Optional Reflective Journal (10%)(Short-Release) 300 words reflecting on the class content that week	0%	Ongoing Closing date: 26 May 2023	300wd each / due by each Fri, 11.59pm
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Essay (40%) Written assessment	0%	Week 07 Due date: 03 Apr 2023 at 16:00 Closing date: 01 May 2023	4000 words / 4 weeks
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

Participation (10%): Attendance and participation in class will contribute to your engagement mark (10% of the total mark). To get full marks, each student should contribute thoughtfully at least once every class either in person or online.

Optional Reflective Journal (10%): There is the option of completing a reflective journal. This option is for people who do not wish to or are unable to contribute to class discussions (e.g., cannot attend a class, shyness etc.). Each journal entry should be approximately 300 words reflecting on the class content that week. Reflective thinking helps you to recognise and clarify important connections between what you already know and what you are learning. It can help you to become an active, aware and critical learner. Your reflections may cover a range of topics including, but limited to: how the content applies to your life, other classes you are taking, articles you have read, shows you have seen etc. Journal entries should be submitted on Canvas. If you choose to submit a journal entry, it is due by the Friday of each week (11:59 pm), unless you have requested a simple extension from the unit coordinator or applied for special consideration. The outcome of a successful Special Consideration application is an extension of time.

Assignment (40%): Students will write a 4000-word essay where the word count includes everything in the text (i.e. body text, in-text citations, headings, quotations). Referencing should be in accordance with APA publication guidelines. Details regarding the essay (including the essay question and marking criteria) will be released on 22 February, 2023. The assignment must be submitted by 4:00pm on 3 April, 2023. The use of editors (including proof-readers) is not permitted in the preparation of work submitted for Assessment. The outcome of a successful special consideration application may include an alternative task, at the discretion of the Unit Coordinator.

Exam (50%): The 2 hour supervised examination (plus 30 minute reading time) will consist of five mini essay questions. The exam will cover everything in this unit of study (i.e. material from the lectures and readings). The exam will take place on campus during the June exam period. Please check the exam timetable when it is published for the time and location of the exam. The outcome of a successful Special Consideration application is an alternate replacement examination.

Word Limit Penalty: A piece of assessment which exceeds the prescribed word limit will attract a penalty of 10% of the total marks available for the piece of assessment for every 100 words, or part thereof. The total word count for essay and other written assessments will exclude the reference section.

The use of editors or proof-readers: The use of assistance in preparing and editing assessment tasks in this unit of study is strictly prohibited. Assistance includes human and automated writing tools (not including spell checking).

Assessment requirement to pass a unit of study: A student must make a genuine attempt at all assessment tasks set out in this Unit of Study in order to obtain a Pass mark and grade (or above); otherwise an Absent Fail grade will be recorded as the student’s result for this Unit of Study.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Completely answers the question. Contains striking originality of approach or analysis. Demonstrates exhaustive or innovative research (where independent research required). Exceptionally well written, structured and expressed. Is otherwise exceptional in some way. For participation marks: the student attends class regularly, is always well prepared, and contributes often and meaningfully to class discussion/reflective journal. The student exhibits an exceptional understanding of the material.
Distinction	75 - 84	Completely answers the question. Achieves a critical and evaluative approach to the issues. Content and structure is well organised in support of the argument. Demonstrates extensive research and analysis to support a well-documented argument. Generally well expressed and free from errors. Has a clear structure and is well articulated. For participation marks: the student attends class regularly, is always well prepared, and contributes often and meaningfully to class discussion/reflective journal.
Credit	65 - 74	Covers main issues fairly well in answering the question. Contains no significant errors. Demonstrates an attempted critical approach to the issues. Demonstrates reasonably sound research and analysis in addressing the key issues. Has a clear structure and reasonably clear expression. For participation marks: the student attends class regularly and contributes often to class discussion/reflective journal.
Pass	50 - 64	Identifies the key issues, but does not follow through with a reasoned argument. Contains some significant errors. Displays satisfactory engagement with the key issues. Offers descriptive summary of material relevant to the question. Superficial use of material, and may display a tendency to paraphrase. Demonstrates little evidence of in-depth research or analysis. Adequate expression. Demonstrates the minimum level of competence and satisfies the requirements to proceed to higher-level studies. For participation marks, the student attends class regularly, but does not contribute frequently to class discussion/reflective journal.
Fail	0 - 49	Does not answer the question. Contains significant or numerous errors. Few or no identifiable arguments. Content that is inappropriate or irrelevant. Lack of research or analysis. Difficult or impossible to understand through poor grammar, expression or structure. Overall, does not demonstrate the minimum level of competence in the assessment. For participation marks: the student rarely attends class and fails to contribute meaningfully when he/she does attend to class discussion/reflective journal.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

The late submission of a piece of assessment, without an approved extension, will attract a penalty of 5% of the total marks available for the piece of assessment per calendar day or part thereof. For example, a submission after 4pm but by 11:59pm on the due date for submission will attract a 5% penalty. A submission after midnight of the due date for submission will attract a 10% penalty.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction to the unit of study: What is Forensic Psychology?	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 02	Eyewitness memory 1: witness testimony	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 03	Eyewitness memory 2: identification evidence	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 04	Eyewitness memory 3: child witnesses	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 05	Police psychology 1: selection, stress and profiling	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 06	Police psychology 2: interviewing suspects and false confession	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 07	Detection of deception 1: nonverbal and verbal cues	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 08	Detection of deception 2: physiological measures	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 09	Criminal offenders 1: mental illness and crime	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 10	Criminal offenders 2: origins of antisocial behaviour and psychopathy	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 11	Criminal offenders 3: sentencing and risk assessment	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 12	The psychology of juries	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 13	Victims of crime, summary and conclusions	Seminar (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: All students are required to attend 70% of classes (or as otherwise specified by the Unit Coordinator) to satisfy the pass requirements for each unit of study. Attendance requirements may be satisfied by in person attendance as specified by the Unit Coordinator. Failure to meet this requirement may result in a student being precluded from sitting the final assessment.

Referencing: Referencing should be in accordance with APA publication guidelines (e.g., footnote references and bibliographies are not appropriate). A link to the library website where this is set out comprehensively is available at: https://libguides.library.usyd.edu.au/c.php?g=508212&p=3476096

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Please see Reading Guide.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. Describe and critically evaluate key concepts, empirical findings, and theories about eyewitnesses and victims.
LO2. Describe and critically evaluate key concepts, empirical findings and theories about lie detection.
LO3. Describe and critically evaluate key concepts and psychological research about police officers.
LO4. Describe and critically evaluate key concepts and psychological research about criminal offenders.
LO5. Describe and critically evaluate key concepts and psychological research about juries.
LO6. Identify, describe, and critically evaluate psychological research that is relevant to an applied problem in forensic psychology.
LO7. Generate evidence-based recommendations/solutions to an applied problem in forensic psychology.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Student feedback is very important to us and we do our best to incorporate student evaluations into our teaching and unit coordination. For example, we received feedback that some students feel anxious speaking in class, so we added the option of participating through the reflective journal. Additionally, we heard that we had some content overlap with a core unit of study about theories of crime, so we have removed that from our unit of study.

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Due to the nature of the content, some topics that will be covered may make you feel uncomfortable or uneasy (e.g., descriptions of crimes including sexual assault, murder, child abuse, domestic violence). If you feel uncomfortable, it is important that you contact the unit coordinator or another member of the team as soon as possible to discuss this with them. You are not required to share confidential information with us if you do not wish to. If you attend the class but at any point you feel uncomfortable, you are free to leave.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

LAWS6970: Forensic Psychology

Semester 1, 2023 [Normal evening] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect