Course Title: Introduction to Criminal Psychology

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Introduction to Criminal Psychology

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

JUST2323

City Campus

Undergraduate

365H Global, Urban and Social Studies

Face-to-Face

 Sem 1 2017,
Sem 1 2018,
Sem 1 2019,
Sem 1 2020,
Sem 1 2022,
Sem 1 2023,
Sem 1 2024

Course Coordinator: Professor Stuart Thomas

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 9656

Course Coordinator Email: stuartdm.thomas@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: Building 37.Floor 4. Room 32.

Course Coordinator Availability: By appointment


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None

This is a first year introductory core course in the Bachelor of Criminal Justice and Bachelor of Criminology and Psychology


Course Description

This course examines the various ways in which psychologists, as well as psychological theories and methods, contribute to the study of crime, criminal behaviour and the processes of criminal justice. We consider several key domains of forensic psychology including: criminal profiling, eyewitness testimony, forensic interviewing, offender risk assessment and case management. The course also examines points of connection and disjuncture between criminology and psychology, through consideration of the relationship between individual-level and society-level explanations of criminal behaviour. 


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Program Learning Outcomes  

In this course you will develop the following program learning outcomes:  

For those of you in BP295, this course will help you develop the program level outcomes:  : 

PLO1: Discover practical skills in interviewing, risk assessment and case management suited to a variety of criminal justice and criminological settings. 

PLO2: Identify and examine contemporary criminological issues of local and global significance. 

PLO6: Demonstrate logical, critical and creative thinking to propose solutions to a range of criminological and criminal justice problems.  

 

For those of you in BP023, this course will help you develop the program level outcomes:  : 

PLO2: Apply critically reflective thought and analytical thinking to problems related to crime management and criminal justice systems in local and international contexts 

PLO4: Contextualise specific criminal justice based knowledge according to socially and culturally diverse environments 


 

Course Learning Outcomes 

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to: 

  1. Identify and describe the ways that psychologists and allied professionals interact with each stage of the criminal justice process
  2. Articulate the importance and limitations of psychological theory and methods to the study of crime, criminal behaviour, and the criminal justice system
  3. Identify and describe the relationship between individual-level and society-level explanations of criminal behaviour, and apply these theories to case scenarios
  4. Apply and critique psychological research evidence as it relates to key issues such as criminal profiling, eyewitness testimony, forensic interviewing, offender risk assessment and case management
  5. Identify the disciplinary connections and points of disjuncture between criminology and psychology 
     


Overview of Learning Activities

This course is delivered in a face-to-face mode with a blend of learning activities, which include interactive workshop activities, role plays, problem solving, guest speakers, presentations, videos, online media and activities and student lead discussions.


Overview of Learning Resources

There may be a prescribed text for this course. 

You will be given access to a wide range of resources through the Canvas student portal, myRMIT, and RMIT Library resources. You will have the opportunity to contribute collectively to class resources by sharing your own research findings and sources with your peers. 

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems. 

There are services available to support your learning through the University Library. The Library provides guides on academic referencing and subject specialist help as well as a range of study support services. For further information, please visit the Library page on the RMIT University website and the myRMIT student portal. 


Overview of Assessment

You will be assessed on how well you meet the course’s learning outcomes and on your development against the program learning outcomes.

Assessment Tasks

Assessment Task 1: Profile 30%, CLO2 and CLO3

Assessment Task 2: Quizzes, 20%, CLO1, CLO3 and CLO5

Assessment Task 3: Literature Review, 50%, CLO2 and CLO4

Feedback will be given on all assessment tasks.

If you have a long term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.

Your course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies, procedures and instructions.