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2017/18 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

HPSC2400 History of Psychiatry and Mental Illness

20 creditsClass Size: 150

Module manager: Dr Mike Finn
Email: M.Finn@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2017/18

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

Many of us have been personally affected by mental illness, and even if not, ideas and practices from psychiatry constantly shape the way we see ourselves and the people around us. Over the last 200 years, explanations and treatments for mental illnesses have changed drastically and frequently, leaving a mixed but important legacy. This module will survey psychiatric developments from the late 18th century to the present day; it will explore the way theories and therapies have been a part of philosophical, economic or social discussions; and it will investigate how changes in psychiatry have affected the lives of those deemed to be mentally ill.

Objectives

To examine key theories and practices in the evolution of psychiatric medicine on their own terms, and to understand how these were a part of public policy and debates about philosophy, economics and society.
To become familiar with a range of primary and secondary authors, and to develop experience in reading, researching and writing about developments in the history of mental illness and psychiatry.
To explore the practical, theoretical and ethical criticisms made against psychiatry, and to appreciate the role that history can have in changing our modern understanding of mental illness.

Learning outcomes
Understanding of: the changing nature of psychiatric practices in the past two centuries; the role of mental health provision within broader policy discussions; and the effect of changes to psychiatry on the way mental illness has been recognised and treated.
Engagement with historical and contemporary debates about psychiatry and mental illness, awareness of a broad range of important writers and thinkers, and enhanced skills in analysing the context and purpose of various arguments.
Appreciation of the role of heritage in understanding the history of psychiatry and the stigmatisation of mental illness, and experience in researching and writing about materials, institutions and people from the history of psychiatry.

Skills outcomes
An understanding of the way medical knowledge and techniques are contingent and socially embedded, and how they can be uncovered through methodological approaches of historians and philosophers of science, technology and medicine.


Syllabus

Each week, the module will engage with a new topic in the history of psychiatry. These are thematic, but also chronologically arranged, building up a fuller picture of how psychiatry has evolved. With each lecture a primary and secondary reading related to the particular topic will be introduced. The module will also include a trip to the Museum of Mental Health, where students will be guided around collections.

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Fieldwork14.004.00
Lecture101.0010.00
Seminar101.0010.00
Private study hours176.00
Total Contact hours24.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)200.00

Private study

Weekly reading and preparation: 11 x 6 = 66 hours
Essay preparation and writing: 50 hours
Report preparation and writing: 30 hours
Exam preparation: 30 hours

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Students will receive written feedback on their essay within three weeks of submission. Staff will also be available to discuss essays by email, or in person during office hours.
Students will receive written feedback on their project report within three weeks of submission, and staff will be available to discuss the reports by email, or in person during office hours.
Students will receive marks and comments on their exam papers, and staff will be available to discuss marking by email or in person during office hours or by arrangement.
Student learning will be assessed in a series of 10 seminars, where students will also receive verbal comments on their understanding and progress. Students will be able to visit staff during office hours throughout the year, or seek advice by email.

Methods of assessment


Coursework
Assessment typeNotes% of formal assessment
Essay1 x 2000 words50.00
Report1 x 1000 word Project Report25.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)75.00

Assessment 1 (2,000 word essay) will be from a choice of 5, from Weeks 1-5 (the 19th century). It would be due in Week 8, or the final week before Easter break. Assessment 2 (1,000 word report) will be on a topic chosen by the student, from a suggested list. It will be a reflexive piece on the role of history (or a particular historical object) to help inform modern understanding of mental illness. If Semester 1, it would be due the week before exams (in January); if Semester 2, it would be due in Week 11 (after the Easter break).


Exams
Exam typeExam duration% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)1 hr 00 mins25.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)25.00

The exam will be split into two parts, each lasting 30 mins. The first will be a series of short answer or MCQs; the second will be a single essay from a choice of 3, which will be randomly chosen from across the course.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 05/03/2018

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