Forensic Psychiatry

Subject 554-624 (2008)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2008.Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 6.250
Level: Graduate/Postgraduate
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2008:

Semester 1, - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 6 weeks x 3.5 hour seminars
Total Time Commitment: Not available
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Subject Overview: The interaction between a mental disorder and offending behaviour is important not just for forensic mental health specialists but for all of those who work with the mentally disordered. Clinicians need to develop the skills to balance the needs of patients with those of the legal system and the safety of the community. This elective will attempt to acquaint students with the nature of the relationships between mental disorder and deviant (including criminal) behaviours. It will provide an introduction to current evidence-based approaches to assessing and managing risk of future violence. The course will also look at specific forms of deviant behaviour, in particular sexual offending and stalking behaviours, in order to illustrate the interactions between deviant and potentially damaging behaviours and disorders of the mind. The overall objective of the course will be to introduce students to those aspects of forensic mental health which will be of general applicability in psychiatric practice.
Assessment: The unit is assessed through a combination of attendance and particiaption at the seminars (20%) and a 2500 word critical review of the literature in a relevant area chosen by the student (80%).
Prescribed Texts:

Drake, C R & Pathe M (2004) Understanding Sexual Offending in Schizophrenia, Criminal Behaviour and Mental Health, 14, 108-120.

Gunn J & Taylor P (eds) Forensic Psychiatry: Clinical, Legal and Ethical Issues. Butterworth Heinemann. 1993.

Mullen P, Pather M & Purcell R (2001) The Management of Stalkers: Advances in Psychiatric treatment, 7, 335-342.

Otto R K (2000) Assessing and Managing Violence Risk in Outpatient Settings. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 56(10), 1239-1262.

Wallace C, MullenP, Burgess P, Palmer S, Rushing D & Browne C (1998) Serious Criminal Offending and Mental Disorder: Case Linkage Study. Br J Psychiatry, 172, 477-484

Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Related Course(s): Master of Psychiatry

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