PY3FATP: Forensic Psychology: Applying Theory and Practice

Module code: PY3FATP

Module provider: Psychology; School of Psych and Clin Lang Sci

Credits: 20

Level: Level 3 (Honours)

When you'll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Dr Thomas Nyman, email: t.nyman@reading.ac.uk

Module co-convenor: Mrs Mette Whittaker, email: m.k.whittaker@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 17 June 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

Examine some of the main theories, models and practices associated with the development, assessment, treatment and management of offending behaviour.  Consider the assessment and treatment of issues specific to different groups of offenders, including those who offend sexually, those who are neuro diverse, offenders with mental health difficulties and female offenders, and explores how trauma might impact on risk of offending.  It considers crime within societal context and encourages consideration of possible alternatives to the traditional retributive framework.  Throughout the module, you will have opportunities to develop skills in collaboration and teamwork, and presentation as well as more specific forensic skills, such as case formulation, treatment planning and risk assessment 

This module includes reference to sexual (including against children) and violent offending which might trigger unwelcome and distressing memories or thoughts for some students. Students might wish to discuss any particular concerns with the Module Convenor. 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

1. Critically consider the role forensic psychologists play in the criminal justice system. 
2. Appraise key theoretical explanations for offending behaviour, including trauma, psychiatric difficulties and neurodiversity, with critical reference to the literature 
3. Appraise key models of treatment and risk assessment, with critical reference to the literature. 

Module content

Through interactive lectures and seminars, this module will introduce you to different theories pertaining to the possible aetiology of offending behaviour among different groups of offenders and what factors may maintain this behaviour. It will explore current models of treatment, risk assessment and risk management and the ethical issues pertaining to work with forensic clients. Work with different client groups will be explored, as will work within different forensic contexts. This content will span the BPS core areas of biological psychology, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, individual differences and social psychology. The module will aim to provide an opportunity to apply theory to examples of applied forensic tasks. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

This module is taught via 10, two hour lectures.  Four of these lectures will be supplemented by a one-hour seminar.  

Teaching will include a combination of lectures, interactive activities, student presentations and both small and large group discussion to explore issues relevant to working as a forensic psychologist. At intervals through the module, students may be required to undertake reading and preparation in advance of the seminar and engage with team-based discussion and problem-solving activities. 

Digitally enabled activities will include quizzes to consolidate learning, the use of the Blackboard discussion board to reflect on lecture content and the inclusion of digital resources for self-scheduled learning, such as short videos and recorded TED Talks.  In addition, the lectures will be recorded using YuJa and made available to students for consolidation of learning. 

Study hours

At least 25 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Formative activities will prepare students well for summative assessment.

Reassessment

Additional costs