This course will survey the major areas of psychology and law, including (but not limited to) psychology of forensic science, lie detection, interrogations and confessions, eyewitness memory, jury decision making, mental health law, and the psychology of specific types of criminal offenders. Information provided via lectures, videos, articles, and the text will provide the student with a broad understanding of the impact that psychology can have on any one individual within the criminal justice system, as well as the impact that psychology can have on the legal system itself.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Describe key concepts in psychology and the law and the theories and the methods used to address these.
- Identify and describe major psychological terms and concepts in forensic science.
- Describe the various ways that psychological research can inform the legal system.
- Think critically about the interactive relationship between psychology and the law.
- Think critically about current research and topics in psychology and the law.
Research-Led Teaching
The lectures in this course will draw from contemporary research in the fields of forensic psychology and the law. Students will be presented with key experimental and other research findings within lectures to demonstrate applied and theoretical aspects of psychology and the law, including (but not limited to) psychology of forensic science, lie detection, interrogations and confessions, eyewitness memory, jury decision making, mental health law and the psychology of specific types of criminal offenders. Where relevant, key research interests of members of the Research School of Psychology at the ANU will be highlighted.
Examination Material or equipment
All students will be required to attend the final examination (there will be a final remote examination for this course made up of both multi-choice and essay style questions). The format and procedures for the remote exam will be outlined in detail on Wattle.
Other relevant information will be provided at a later date. Information about the scheduling of the examination will be posted by the University at http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/assessments-exams/examination-timetable
Required Resources
Ability to attend in-person laboratory classes (however there will be online options for those who are not able to attend in-person), listen to pre-recorded lectures and participate in live discussions (access to the internet is essential). Note. Live discussions during the lecture slot will be recorded and posted on Wattle.
The designated textbook for this course is:
Costanzo, M. & Krauss, D. (2018). Forensic and legal psychology: Psychological science applied to the law. 3rd edition. New York: Worth Publishers.
Additional required readings associated with each of the lectures will be clearly outlined and be made available on Wattle.
Recommended Resources
Recommended student system requirements
ANU courses commonly use a number of online resources and activities including:
- video material, similar to YouTube, for lectures and other instruction
- two-way video conferencing for interactive learning
- email and other messaging tools for communication
- interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities
- print and photo/scan for handwritten work
- home-based assessment.
To fully participate in ANU learning, students need:
- A computer or laptop. Mobile devices may work well but in some situations a computer/laptop may be more appropriate.
- Webcam
- Speakers and a microphone (e.g. headset)
- Reliable, stable internet connection. Broadband recommended. If using a mobile network or wi-fi then check performance is adequate.
- Suitable location with minimal interruptions and adequate privacy for classes and assessments.
- Printing, and photo/scanning equipment
For more information please see https://www.anu.edu.au/students/systems/recommended-student-system-requirements
Staff Feedback
Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:
- written comments
- verbal comments
- feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc
Student Feedback
ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.
Class Schedule
Week/Session | Summary of Activities | Assessment |
---|---|---|
1 | Lecture 1 | |
2 | Lecture 2 | |
3 | Lecture 3 | Lab 1 - Introduction |
4 | Lecture 4 | Lab 2+ Quiz |
5 | Lecture 5 | |
6 | Lecture 6 | Lab 3 + Quiz, Written Assignment Due |
7 | Lecture 7 | Lab 4 + Quiz |
8 | Lecture 8 | |
9 | Lecture 9 | Lab 5 + Quiz |
10 | Lecture 10 | |
11 | Lecture 11 | Lab 6 + Quiz |
12 | Lecture 12 | Last week review in labs offered online for all lab times |
Tutorial Registration
Students must attend six two-hour laboratory classes across the semester. Laboratory enrollment procedures will be provided at a later date.
Following RSP Policy, laboratory class attendance is mandatory. Even if you cannot see lab classes in ANU timetabling at the time of enrollment, there will indeed be 6 lab classes across the semester.
Assessment Summary
Assessment task | Value | Due Date | Return of assessment | Learning Outcomes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Quizzes (there are a total of 5 and we take your best 4 to calculate your total out of 20 %) | 20 % | * | * | 1,2,3,4 |
Written Assignment (30%) | 30 % | 02/09/2021 | 23/09/2021 | 1,3,4,5 |
Exam | 50 % | 04/11/2021 | 02/12/2021 | 1,2,3,4,5 |
* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details
Policies
ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:
- Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
- Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information
- Student Surveys and Evaluations
- Deferred Examinations
- Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
Assessment Requirements
The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Integrity . In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.
Moderation of Assessment
Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.
Participation
We will deliver course content via a combination of online lectures and live discussions. Each week, we will present a pre-recorded online lecture on Wattle which will be followed by a live review/discussion with the course convener/lecturer at the scheduled lecture time. The live discussion will be recorded and will last for the first 30 minutes of the lecture time. During these live discussions, you will have the chance to ask questions and review key points of the lecture content. The teaching assistant will be present to facilitate the live online discussion.
For example:
Lecture 1: Posted lecture on Wattle Monday morning (and in subsequent weeks, Monday prior to lecture week).
Live Discussion Lecture 1: Monday, online.
Laboratory attendance includes participating in the in-person or online laboratory classes and interacting with other students (both interpersonally and with the laboratory class as a whole).
Examination(s)
There is one end of semester exam.
The date range in the Assessment Summary indicates the start of the end of semester exam period and the date official end of semester results are released on ISIS. Please check the ANU final Examination Timetable http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/assessments-exams/examination-timetable to confirm the date, time and location exam.
Assessment Task 1
Learning Outcomes: 1,2,3,4
Quizzes (there are a total of 5 and we take your best 4 to calculate your total out of 20 %)
In each laboratory class (except Lab 1 and reviewing lab week 12) there will be a quiz. These quizzes will help you to keep up to date with the coursework and track your progress throughout the semester. They will also act as exam preparation. You can also use the quizzes as guidance for reviewing specific concepts before the exam.
Due dates for each quiz will be available on the course Wattle site. You will receive feedback on each quiz in the following lab, and feedback for quiz 5 will be posted on Wattle.
Assessment Task 2
Learning Outcomes: 1,3,4,5
Written Assignment (30%)
You will view a video of a forensic interview and identify features of the interview that are consistent with the Reid technique for interviewing suspects. You will then draw on empirical research to critique the use of these interview approaches. Finally, you will develop your own interview structure based on empirically derived approaches for high quality forensic interviews.
Additional details for the written assignment will be posted on Wattle.
Assessment Task 3
Learning Outcomes: 1,2,3,4,5
Exam
There will be one exam for this course, which is worth 50% of your total grade: This exam will be held during the final exam period. The final exam will assess content covered in lectures, readings and labs for the entirety of the semester. The exam format will consist of multi-choice and essay style questions.
Please check the course Wattle site and the ANU Examination Timetable to confirm the date, time and location of the end of semester exam.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically, committing to honest and responsible scholarly practice and upholding these values with respect and fairness.
The ANU commits to assisting all members of our community to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle and Academic Misconduct Rule, uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with.
The Academic Misconduct Rule is in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Very minor breaches of the academic integrity principle may result in a reduction of marks of up to 10% of the total marks available for the assessment. The ANU offers a number of online and in person services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. Visit the Academic Skills website for more information about academic integrity, your responsibilities and for assistance with your assignments, writing skills and study.
Online Submission
You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment/final exam. Please keep a copy of the assignment/exam for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.
Hardcopy Submission
For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.
Late Submission
Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:
- Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.
Referencing Requirements
Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.
Returning Assignments
Assignment feedback will be returned via the PSYC2011 Wattle site. We aim to return feedback within 3 weeks of the assignment due date for assignments that are submitted on-time, and by the end of semester for assignments submitted after the due date.
Extensions and Penalties
Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.
Privacy Notice
The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.
Distribution of grades policy
Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.
Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.
Support for students
The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).
- ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
- ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
- ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
- ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
- ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
- ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
- PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students
Convener
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Research InterestsCognitive Biases in Belief and Memory, False Memories, Misinformation |
Dr Eryn Newman
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Instructor
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Research Interests |
Dr Eryn Newman
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