Introduction to Forensic Disability

This subject is not offered in 2014.

In addition to face-to-face teaching time of 40 hours, students should expect to undertake a minimum of 120 hours research, reading, writing and general study to complete this subject successfully.

To enrol in this subject, you must be admitted in GC-CRIMFD. This subject is not available for students admitted in any other courses.

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For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this course are articulated in the Course Overview, Objectives 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 course are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and the Disability Liaison Unit: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

An examination of psychological assessment and intervention strategies as applied to the special population of offenders with an intellectual disability. Included are considerations of:

• the postulated link between intellectual ability and offending behaviour (including historical, socio-cultural, biological, psychological and methodological issues);
• major skills and methods for the assessment of offenders with an intellectual disability;
• descriptions of, and justifications for, intervention and management programs for this particular group of offenders;
• issues arising from the characteristics of special needs groups in this population, for example, sex offenders, offenders with dual disability (mental illness as well as intellectual disability);
• selected legal issues which may involve the clinician dealing with offenders with an intellectual disability; and
• Philosophical and ethical considerations in this area.

Students who successfully complete this subject will:

• Explain and analyse the postulated link between intellectual disability and offending behaviour in the context of historical, socio-cultural, biological, psychological, methodological and profession issues
• Provide an awareness of specific legal issues facing offenders with an intellectual disability at each stage of their progression through the criminal justice system
• Describe the principles of clinical assessment for this group and outline some specific techniques of assessment
• Explain the principles of clinical interventions and methods of evaluating such interventions
• Provide an appreciation of the legal, philosophical and policy contexts in which much clinical decision-making takes place

As a post-graduate course, this subject is not simply about clinical skill development. You should also be aiming at developing the conceptual and analytic tools which will provide you with the basis for critically appraising the clinical and research literature and applying it appropriately to your own area of practice or interests. This involves not only the preparation of written papers but also oral presentations and generally “thinking on one’s feet”.

The assessment has three parts:

• Individual written assessment: 3,000 words (75%). Due 29th June 2012
• Oral presentation: 20-25 minutes plus 5 - 10 minutes Q&A time; completed in class and in pairs (20%)
• Individual commentary (5%)

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This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Students who successfully complete this subject should have:
• achieve a capacity for independent critical thought, rational inquiry and self-directed learning;
• Achieve an ability to incorporate theoretical principles and concepts into professional practice;