PSY-20046 - Module Specification
School of Psychology
Faculty of Natural Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2024/25

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2024/25

Why do people commit crimes? How are crimes investigated? Is our criminal justice and penal system fit for purpose? Forensic psychology refers to the interface of broad sub-disciplines of psychology with the criminal justice system. This module provides an introductory overview of forensic psychology, covering the causes of crime and victimisation, investigation of crime, punishment of crime, and life after crime, as well as more specialist coverage and discussion of topics, such as criminal justice theory, forensic evidence, false confessions, and alternative dispute resolution.
The module will primarily offer social, developmental, and cognitive perspectives, but students will be encouraged to apply knowledge from other perspectives to support critical thinking skills drawing on the whole of the psychology curriculum. This module is taught via a blended approach of weekly in-situ seminars/workshops, weekly asynchronous lectures, and weekly asynchronous activities. This module will be of particular interest to students wishing to pursue careers in forensic psychology, but is also relevant to those interested in criminal justice and human rights more generally. No single text covers all the relevant material. Therefore, students will be expected to make extensive use of journals and databases to identify pertinent articles. Integrated into this module is a workshop on effective critical evaluation assignment writing.

The module aims to develop students¿ evidence-based knowledge and understanding of forensic psychology and criminal justice procedures, to enhance students¿ critical evaluation skills in the context of analysing contemporary developments in forensic practice and public policy, and boost awareness and confidence in pursuing careers in forensic psychology.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Locate, synthesise, and evaluate literature on forensic psychology and criminal justice procedures from a range of sources: 1
Communicate and critically evaluate ideas clearly and effectively in a written format
: 1
Use relevant literature to interpret, evaluate, and further inform past and contemporary developments on causes of crime and crime investigation: 1
Discuss the relevance of social, developmental, and cognitive psychology to inform key issues relating to the punishment of crime: 1

Study hours

20 hours of whole class synchronous seminars
10 hours reading material prior to sessions
20 hours reading post session
20 hours asynchronous activities plus 10 hours of pre-recorded talks (broken down to small chunks)
70 hours private study

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment