Courses & Units

Forensic Psychology PSY312

Hobart, Launceston, Online

Introduction

This unit will provide an introduction to psychology and law. The progression of lecture topics in this unit will roughly follow the course of an investigation and trial of a criminal case, covering issues such as eyewitness memory; false memories; police interviewing techniques; deception detection; and juror decisions. Throughout the unit, the focus will be on how psychological science can (a) help us understand various aspects of the legal system, and (b) help to improve important processes in policing and courtroom trials.

Summary

Unit name Forensic Psychology
Unit code PSY312
Credit points 12.5
College/School College of Health and Medicine
School of Psychological Sciences
Discipline Psychology
Coordinator Associate Professor Jim Sauer
Available as an elective? Yes
Delivered By University of Tasmania
Level Advanced

Sustainable Development Goals

The Unit Coordinator has identified that this unit aligns with the following UN Sustainable Development Goals. We welcome your thoughts and feedback on the alignment of the unit with these goals.

Availability

Location Study period Attendance options Available to
Hobart Semester 2 On-Campus International Domestic
Launceston Semester 2 On-Campus International Domestic
Online Semester 2 Off-Campus International Domestic

Key

On-campus
Off-Campus
International students
Domestic students
Note

Please check that your computer meets the minimum System Requirements if you are attending via Distance/Off-Campus.

Units are offered in attending mode unless otherwise indicated (that is attendance is required at the campus identified). A unit identified as offered by distance, that is there is no requirement for attendance, is identified with a nominal enrolment campus. A unit offered to both attending students and by distance from the same campus is identified as having both modes of study.

Key Dates

Study Period Start date Census date WW date End date
Semester 2 21/7/2025 19/8/2025 8/9/2025 26/10/2025

* 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 2025 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2025 will be available from the 1st October 2024. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

  • Describe how psychological science promotes understanding of human behaviour and decision making in the legal system, and can contribute to the effective operation of key aspects of the legal system.
  • Use your knowledge of relevant psychological theory and empirical research to evaluate the effectiveness of various practices and policies in the legal system
  • Effectively communicate to academic and lay audiences by explaining how theory and evidence from psychology-law research has shaped understanding of behaviour and decision making in the legal system.

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
090701 $2,124.00 $996.00 $1,164.00 $2,830.00
  • 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

Prerequisites

PSY125 AND an additional 12.5 points at introductory level

Mutual Exclusions

You cannot enrol in this unit as well as the following:

KHA212 or PSY313 OR KHA312

Teaching

Teaching Pattern

ON CAMPUS STUDENTS
2 hour live (on campus) workshop per week
2 hours Independent learning per week

ONLINE STUDENTS
2hrs weekly Individual study (online lecture content and self-directed learning activities)
2 hours Independent learning per week

 

AssessmentPodcast Presentation (15%)|Final Exam (40%)|Essay (45%)
TimetableView the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required

There is no required textbook for this unit.
Recommended

Each week, we will recommend articles and book chapters relevant to specific content. These recommended readings may be provided for you on MyLO, or you may have to employ your search skills and scrounge through the library! Lecturers may also from time to time recommend readings unrelated to the unit (e.g., Kojuro and the Bears; The Wolf Wilder; The Rosie Project). These are not compulsory or assessable… they’re really good, though. 

There is no required textbook for this unit, and you do not need to purchase a text to complete the unit. But if you are interested in an excellent text on forensic psychology, we highly recommend Psychological Science and the Law by Brewer & Douglass. 

Brewer, N. & Douglass, A. (Eds). (2019). Psychological Science and the Law. New York, NY: Guilford Press. 

Alternatively, you could check out the previous text for this unit (still excellent): Psychology and Law: An Empirical Perspective by Brewer & Williams. 

Brewer, N. & Williams, K.D. (Eds). (2005). Psychology and law: An empirical perspective. New York, NY: Guilford Press. 

The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.