Modules

Core Module Information
Module title: Advanced Forensic Psychology
SCQF level: 11:
SCQF credit value: 20.00
ECTS credit value: 10
Module code: PSY11103
Module leader: Marc Kozlowski
School School of Applied Sciences
Subject area group: Psychology
Prerequisites

n/a
Description of module content:

This module addresses three areas of advanced forensic psychology:

1) The development of neuroethics as a body of work to understand and monitor the implications of neuroscience in terms of legal and social responsibility.

2) A critical appreciation of some of the ethical dilemmas that are faced by forensic psychologists in their practice within criminal and civil contexts, and an understanding of how research has informed changes in specific aspects of forensic psychology practice over the last 50 years.

3) Biological aspects of criminal behaviour including the role of epigenetics in the development of psychopathology and offending, and how catathymic processes and crises drive an individual towards criminal action.
Learning Outcomes for module:

Upon completion of this module you will be able to
LO1: Evaluate the development of neuroethics and its role in forensic contexts.
LO2: Analyse historical and ethical contexts in forensic psychology.
LO3: Evaluate the utility of biological theories to explain criminal behaviour.
Full Details of Teaching and Assessment
2022/3, Trimester 2, BLENDED, Edinburgh Napier University
VIEW FULL DETAILS
Occurrence: 001
Primary mode of delivery: BLENDED
Location of delivery: SIGHTHILL
Partner: Edinburgh Napier University
Member of staff responsible for delivering module: Marc Kozlowski
Module Organiser:


Learning, Teaching and Assessment (LTA) Approach:
This module uses scheduled student facing presentations, online activities, and specialised formative feedback sessions. These teaching methods have been chosen to complement different parts of the module content to enable different learning outcomes to be achieved. This supports psychological research suggesting that the most effective modality for teaching varies according the material being studied rather than “individual learning styles”. This blended format is also well suited to postgraduate students and those studying part-time.
Formative Assessment:
This module has a formative assessment task in week 4. Students will submit a 1500 word essay for which they will receive feedback and an indicative grade. This essay will be linked to the biological basis of criminal behaviour or neuroethics topics covered on the module. The format and length of the essay is the same as the two summative assessments which follow in weeks 8 and 12. This gives students the opportunity to practise writing essays of the required length and to choose their own essay topics.
Summative Assessment:
The summative assessments for this module are two essays: one submitted in week 8 focussing on neuroethics and the biological basis of offending (LO1 and LO3); the other submitted in week 12 focussing on historical and ethical aspects of forensic psychology (LO2). These essays address specific learning outcomes but also allow students to choose their own essay titles. Practise in writing an effective title, and writing well to a 1500 word limit, is provided in the week 4 formative assessment.
Student Activity (Notional Equivalent Study Hours (NESH))
Mode of activityLearning & Teaching ActivityNESH (Study Hours)
Face To Face Seminar 9
Online On-demand Webinar 6
Independent Learning Guided independent study 185
Total Study Hours200
Expected Total Study Hours for Module200


Assessment
Type of Assessment Weighting % LOs covered Week due Length in Hours/Words
Essay 50 1 & 2 8 HOURS= 0, WORDS= 1500
Essay 50 2&3 12 HOURS= 0, WORDS= 1500
Component 1 subtotal: 50
Component 2 subtotal: 50
Module subtotal: 100

Indicative References and Reading List - URL:
PSY11103 Advanced Forensic Psychology
 

Related information