Madness and society

Description

This unit introduces you to the social, cultural, intellectual and institutional history of madness, psychiatry and mental health. Through lectures, seminars and reading a combination of primary sources and secondary analyses, you will gain an appreciation of: How mental illness has been understood, by experts and by everyday people How mental illness has been managed, socially and institutionally How science, medicine, and culture have interacted in shaping responses to mental illness Our focus is primarily on the period 1780 to the present, and primarily on the UK, but with some discussion of Western Europe and North America. Assessment Information: Short Essay (Historically Informed Creative Writing): 25% Blog Post or Podcast: 25% Research Essay: 50% Alternative Autumn Assessment Available: Yes