Module Descriptors
PSYCHOLOGY IN THE JUSTICE SYSTEM
PSYC60339
Key Facts
Faculty of Health Sciences
Level 6
15 credits
Contact
Leader: Melanie Hall
Email: M.Hall@staffs.ac.uk
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 20
Independent Study Hours: 130
Total Learning Hours: 150
Assessment
- EXAMINATION - UNSEEN IN EXAMINATION CONDITIONS weighted at 60%
- WORK BOOK weighted at 40%
Module Details
Module Additional Assessment Details
Summative assessment
An unseen 1hour examination, contributing 60% of the overall module mark, which will assess outcomes 1, 2, and 3.
Submission of a workbook, consisting of a number of tasks (which may vary from year to year to reflect current issues) - roughly equivalent to a maximum of 2000 words. The workbook will contribute 40% of the overall module mark, and will assess learning outcomes 4 and 5.
Formative learning
Peer and tutor feedback on independent and class based student activities. Feedback on practice exam questions.
An unseen 1hour examination, contributing 60% of the overall module mark, which will assess outcomes 1, 2, and 3.
Submission of a workbook, consisting of a number of tasks (which may vary from year to year to reflect current issues) - roughly equivalent to a maximum of 2000 words. The workbook will contribute 40% of the overall module mark, and will assess learning outcomes 4 and 5.
Formative learning
Peer and tutor feedback on independent and class based student activities. Feedback on practice exam questions.
Module Texts
Davies, G.M., Hollin, C.R. & Bull, R. (Eds.)(2008). Forensic Psychology. West Sussex: Wiley
Gudjohnsson, G (2002). The Psychology of Interrogations and Confessions. West Sussex: Wiley
Howitt, D. (2008). Introduction to Forensic and Criminal Psychology (Third Edition). Harlow: Pearson Education.
Kapardis, A (2003). Psychology and Law: A Critical Introduction (Second Edition). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
McGuire, J, Mason, T & O'Kane, A (2000). Behaviour, Crime and Legal Processes: A Guide for Forensic Practitioners. West Sussex: Wiley
Gudjohnsson, G (2002). The Psychology of Interrogations and Confessions. West Sussex: Wiley
Howitt, D. (2008). Introduction to Forensic and Criminal Psychology (Third Edition). Harlow: Pearson Education.
Kapardis, A (2003). Psychology and Law: A Critical Introduction (Second Edition). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
McGuire, J, Mason, T & O'Kane, A (2000). Behaviour, Crime and Legal Processes: A Guide for Forensic Practitioners. West Sussex: Wiley
Module Special Admissions Requirements
Be registered on a Psychology or Crime and Deviance award
Module Learning Strategies
10x2 hour class sessions. These will incorporate tutor led lectures, and tutor and student led interactive activities and discussions. These will include video, debates, paper-based exercises and case study analyses. During the course of the module students will also be expected to complete some tutor guided tasks and investigations which will form a workbook. This will inform some of the class-based activities and discussions, and will be submitted as assessment.
Module Indicative Content
This module will explore some of the major psychological contributions towards understanding the role of psychology in the criminal justice system. Sessions will focus on a critical evaluation of the role of psychology and the relevance and validity of current psychological research in a number of key areas including the investigative process, interviewing and testimony, the courtroom, jury and judge decision making and sentencing.