Mental Disorder and Offending
Duration
- One Semester
Contact hours
- 12 Hours
On-campus unit delivery combines face-to-face and digital learning.
2021 teaching periods
Hawthorn
| Higher Ed. Semester 2 | ||
|---|---|---|
Dates: Results: Last self enrolment: Census: |
Aims and objectives
This unit provides students with an understanding of the complex relationship between different types of mental disorder and offending behaviour. The unit will enhance students’ decision-making about many aspects of forensic work, including risk assessment, treatment, and management of mentally disordered offenders.
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
1. Critically discuss the possible pathways by which mental disorder is linked to offending
2. Demonstrate advanced knowledge of how specific types of disorders and their associated symptoms influence different types of offending
3. Apply a taught conceptual framework to link research on mental disorder and offending with the development of appropriate treatment and management plans for mentally disordered offenders.
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
1. Critically discuss the possible pathways by which mental disorder is linked to offending
2. Demonstrate advanced knowledge of how specific types of disorders and their associated symptoms influence different types of offending
3. Apply a taught conceptual framework to link research on mental disorder and offending with the development of appropriate treatment and management plans for mentally disordered offenders.
Courses with unit
Graduate Certificate in Specialist Forensic Assessment and Risk Management
Unit information in detail
- Teaching methods, assessment, general skills outcomes and content.
Teaching methods
This unit will involve up to 150 hours of work including:
| Type | Hours per week | Number of Weeks | Total |
| Face to Face Contact Optional Workshop |
12 (1.5 days in week 5) |
1 |
12 |
| Online Contact | N/A | ||
| Specified Learning Activities Discussion boards, Readings |
4 |
12 |
48 |
| Unspecified Learning Activities Independent study, Assessment preparation |
90 | ||
| TOTAL | 150 hours/12.5cp |
Assessment
| Types | Individual or Group task | Weighting | Assesses attainment of these ULOs |
| Workshop presentation | Individual | 25% | 1, 3 |
| Case vignette | Individual | 35% | 1, 2 |
| Essay | Individual | 40% | 1 |
General skills outcomes
During this unit students will receive feedback on the following key generic skills:
• Analysis Skills
• Problem Solving Skills
• Communication Skills
• Ability to tackle unfamiliar problems
• Ability to work independently
• Analysis Skills
• Problem Solving Skills
• Communication Skills
• Ability to tackle unfamiliar problems
• Ability to work independently
Content
- • What is mental disorder?
• Common themes linking mental disorder and offending behaviour
• Schizophrenia spectrum (and other psychotic disorders)
• Mood disorders
• Cognitive impairment
• Treatment and management of mentally disordered offenders
Study resources
- Reading materials.
Reading materials
A list of reading materials will be made available in the Unit Outline.