Courses & Units
Forensic Science in Society HGA216
Hobart
Introduction
This unit provides an introduction to the emerging field of ‘forensic studies’. While forensic science usually refers to technical and vocational expertise, forensic studies explores the ‘forensic sciences’ as a social phenomenon. Forensic science has captured the public imagination in the twenty-first century, as evidenced by the increasing number of novels and television programs such as NCIS and CSI that glamorise the ability of ‘forensics’ to solve any crime. At the same time, forensic science and its role in the criminal justice system has become the subject of intense critique from scholars in the fields of law and social science (in part as a result of international reviews and enquires into wrongful convictions and miscarriages of justice). In particular, these reviews have raised questions about public understandings of forensic science and how this impacts on jurors’ deliberations. The main emphasis of forensic studies is on providing a generalist understanding of the forensics field, including how developments across the field might feed into particular social and criminal justice processes. Topics explored include the rise of popular media in which forensic science plays a central role; the effects of these media on the criminal justice system (e.g. ‘the CSI effect’); the strengths, weaknesses and status (are they ‘junk’ science?) of various forensic disciplines (e.g. DNA, fingerprinting, bite-mark analysis, facial recognition); debates regarding the use of forensic evidence for courts vis-à-vis its intelligence value in police investigative practices (including questions about ‘big data’); questions regarding the admissibility of various types of forensic evidence in the courts and levels of forensic science knowledge among actors in the criminal justice system (including police, lawyers, judges and juries); as well as the role of forensic science in wrongful convictions. The unit will be informed by scholarship on the role of science in society and framed around the tensions between science, medicine and law as alternative knowledge systems (epistemologies) in contemporary society.
Summary
Unit name | Forensic Science in Society |
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Unit code | HGA216 |
Credit points | 12.5 |
College/School | College of Arts, Law and Education School of Social Sciences |
Discipline | Sociology and Criminology |
Coordinator | Doctor Loene Howes |
Available as an elective? | |
Delivered By | Delivered wholly by the provider |
Availability
This unit is currently unavailable.
Key Dates
Study Period | Start date | Census date | WW date | End date |
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Semester 1 | 22/2/2021 | 23/3/2021 | 12/4/2021 | 30/5/2021 |
* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).
Unit census dates currently displaying for 2021 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2021 will be available from the 1st October 2020. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate knowledge of the diversity in forensic sciences, the CSI effect and the role of forensic science in achieving justice
- Identify and analyse the critical decision-making points with respect to the use of forensic science in a serious criminal investigation
- Critically assess the strengths and weaknesses of forensic evidence in criminal and civil investigations and court processes
Fee Information
Field of Education | Commencing Student Contribution 1,3 | Grandfathered Student Contribution 1,3 | Approved Pathway Course Student Contribution 2,3 | Domestic Full Fee 4 |
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090301 | $1,812.00 | $850.00 | not applicable | $2,108.00 |
- Available as a Commonwealth Supported Place
- HECS-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility3
- FEE-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility4
1 Please refer to more information on student contribution amounts.
2 Please refer to more information on eligibility and Approved Pathway courses.
3 Please refer to more information on eligibility for HECS-HELP.
4 Please refer to more information on eligibility for FEE-HELP.
If you have any questions in relation to the fees, please contact UConnect or more information is available on StudyAssist.
Please note: international students should refer to What is an indicative Fee? to get an indicative course cost.
Requisites
Mutual Exclusions
You cannot enrol in this unit as well as the following:
XBR205Teaching
Assessment | Test or quiz (20%)|Flowchart (30%)|Discussion Posts (online) and/or Tutorial Participation (10%)|Position paper (40%) |
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Timetable | View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable |
Textbooks
Required |
Required readings will be listed in the unit outline prior to the start of classes. |
Links | Booktopia textbook finder |
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