| CODE | SOC5013 | ||||||||||||
| TITLE | Sociology of Mental Health and Illness | ||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | ||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 7 | ||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 5 | ||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Sociology | ||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit provides a sociological exploration of mental health and illness, by moving beyond individual and biomedical explanations to examine the broader social, cultural, and structural contexts shaping mental health outcomes, alongside implications for healthcare provision and policy. It is split into three parts: 1. Examining how definitions and responses to mental health and illness have evolved across historical periods and cultural contexts. This includes the shift from conceptions of madness to modern understandings of mental disorders, and the growing emphasis on the pursuit of happiness and wellbeing in recent times. 2. Exploring the social determinants of mental health and illness, with particular attention to how factors such as socioeconomic status, gender, cultural attitudes, and access to healthcare services shape mental health disparities. 3. Analysing societal responses to mental health and illness, focusing on the implications for mental healthcare services, public health initiatives, and policy-making. This includes examining stigma, advocacy, and the intersection of societal attitudes with institutional practices. Study-Unit Aims: The study-unit aims to enhance students' sociological understanding of mental health and illness by examining the social, cultural, historical, and structural factors that shape these concepts. Through the application of key sociological theories, students will critically analyse contemporary conceptions of mental health and societal responses to the increasing prevalence of mental health challenges. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Define key sociological concepts related to mental health and illness; - Identify historical and cultural shifts in the definitions and responses to mental health and illness; - Explain how social, cultural, and structural factors influence mental health outcomes; - Describe the role of stigma, advocacy, and public health initiatives in shaping societal responses to mental health; - Apply sociological theories to critically analyse contemporary trends, such as the emphasis on happiness and wellbeing; - Use sociological perspectives to assess the impact of policy and service delivery on mental healthcare; - Compare and contrast biomedical and sociological approaches to understanding mental health and illness. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Apply sociological theories to real-world contexts; - Develop critical thinking skills by questioning dominant narratives about mental health and exploring alternative perspectives; - Develop cultural competence and awareness in understanding mental health issues; - Reflect on personal attitudes and assumptions about mental health, identifying how these influence interactions with others in healthcare or research settings; - Independently research new topics by identifying, organising, and synthesising relevant evidence from various sources (including library, electronic and online resources). Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: - Brossard, B. and Chandler, A., 2022. Explaining mental illness: Sociological perspectives. Policy Press. - Furedi , F., 2004. Therapy Culture: Cultivating Vulnerability in an Uncertain Age. Routledge. - Goffman, E., 1961. Asylums: Essays on the social situations of mental patients and other inmates. Doubleday. Supplementary Readings: - Morrall, P., 2020. Insane Society: A Sociology of Mental Health. Routledge. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Tutorial | ||||||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Kay Polidano |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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