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Law and Psychology (LAWS90210)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Not available in 2022
From 2023 most subjects will be taught on campus only with flexible options limited to a select number of postgraduate programs and individual subjects.
To learn more, visit COVID-19 course and subject delivery.
Overview
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This subject will provide an interdisciplinary framework to discuss various aspects of the intersection between law, human behaviour and justice. The first part will be dedicated to developing a basic familiarity with the relevant principles of psychology and law and discuss the ways in which they interrelate. In the second part of the subject we will discuss different real life examples, involving judicial decision making, witness reliability, negotiations and more, in which the study of psychological concepts in the legal world plays out.
Intended learning outcomes
A student who has successfully completed this subject will:
- Articulate psychological concepts that are relevant to the legal profession
- Identify empirical research on biases in legal decision making
- Apply scientific, behavioural and legal reasoning to pressing ethical and legal questions
- Analyse legal issues in light of normative concepts and behavioural studies
Generic skills
On completion of the subject students should have developed the following skills:
- Critical thinking
- Legal and scientific reasoning
- Behavioural reasoning
- Written, spoken and interpersonal communication
- Perspective taking
- Self-awareness and reflection
Last updated: 12 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None of
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
LAWS90245 | Law and Human Nature | Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Recommended background knowledge
Applicants without legal qualifications should note that subjects are offered in the discipline of law at an advanced graduate level. While every effort will be made to meet the needs of students trained in other fields, concessions will not be made in the general level of instruction or assessment. Most subjects assume the knowledge usually acquired in a degree in law (LLB, JD or equivalent). Applicants should note that admission to some subjects in the Melbourne Law Masters will be dependent upon the individual applicant’s educational background and professional experience.
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 12 November 2022
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Participation | Throughout the teaching period | 10% |
Option 1: Take-home examination
| 14 - 17 January 2022 | 90% |
Option 2: Research Paper on a topic approved by the Subject Coordinator
| 9 February 2022 | 90% |
Last updated: 12 November 2022
Quotas apply to this subject
Dates & times
Not available in 2022
Additional delivery details
This subject has a quota of 30 students.
Enrolment is on a 'first in' basis. Waitlists are maintained for subjects that are fully subscribed.
Students should note priority of waitlisted places in subjects will be given as follows:
- To currently enrolled Graduate Diploma and Masters students with a satisfactory record in their degree
- To other students enrolling on a single subject basis, eg Community Access Program (CAP) students, cross-institutional study and cross-faculty study.
Please refer to the Melbourne Law Masters website for further information about the management of subject quotas and waitlists.
Melbourne Law School may reserve places in a subject for incoming international cohorts or where a subject is core to a specialisation with limited alternate options.
Last updated: 12 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Specialist materials will be made available via the LMS in the pre-teaching period.
- Links to additional information
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
If required, please contact law-admissions@unimelb.edu.au for subject coordinator approval.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 12 November 2022