Because of its very nature, mental health care raises as many conceptual questions as empirical ones. The philosophy of mental health is a rapidly developing field developed by philosophers, clinicians, eg psychiatrists and mental health nurses and mental health service users. Based on the Oxford Textbook of Philosophy and Psychiatry co-authored by the course leader, the MA Philosophy and Mental Health course aims to develop a better understanding of psychiatry, and mental health care more broadly, through an analysis of some of its fundamental concepts.
In addition to standard access via prior academic qualifications, applications to this programme are also welcome from potential students with relevant practical experience in the field of mental health through, for example, mental health nursing or patient advocacy. Applications from all candidates will be considered on their merits. Those without formal qualifications will be invited to undertake a short exercise typical of work on the degree programme: summarising and criticising Thomas Szasz´ essay: ´The myth of mental illness´.
Normally the following general University wide entry requirements apply:
Postgraduate Diplomas, Certificates and Conversion Courses: A recognised British first degree or its equivalent, or a BTEC Higher Diploma/Certificate.
Taught Masters Courses: A recognised British honours degree to a good standard, or its equivalent. In addition to access via prior academic qualifications, however, applications to this programme are also welcome from potential students with relevant practical experience in the field of mental health through, eg mental health nursing or patient advocacy.
Applications from all candidates will be considered on their merits.
SUBJECTS INCLUDE:
The concepts of illness, disease and disorder in mental health;
The history of psychopathology;
Empathy;
Validity of psychiatry diagnosis;
The codification of diagnosis and tacit knowledge;
The conceptual underpinnings of evidence based medicine;
Values based practice;
Psychiatric ethics;
Brain imaging and the mind body problem;
Reasons and causes;
Meaning in cognitivist psychiatry;
Meaning and social constructionism in discursive psychology;
Free will;
Autism and the problem of other minds.
YEAR 1
Core concepts in philosophy and mental health
A philosophical history of psychopathology
The philosophy of science and mental health
YEAR 2
Ethics, values and mental health
The philosophy of mind and mental health
Introduction to Postgraduate Philosophically-Based Research
