Social and Cultural Dimensions of Mental Health
UndergraduateMUR-SOC2002027
Course information for 2027 intake
Mental health has been understood differently across history and cultures. Examine institutions, stigma and influential theories to understand how social and cultural forces shape ideas of mental illness and treatment.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Enrol by
- 14 Feb 2027
- Entry requirements
- Prior study needed
- Duration
- 15 weeks
- Start dates
- 22 Feb 2027
- Price from
- $2,257
- Upfront cost
- $0
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Social and Cultural Dimensions of Mental Health
About this subject
At the completion of this subject students will be able to:
- Critically examine the historical evolution of mental health concepts, including the treatment of "madness" and the rise of psychiatric institutions.
- Analyse key theoretical frameworks in the understanding of mental health, including the contributions of Foucault, Scull, Porter, Jung, and Showalter.
- Explore the social and cultural dimensions of mental health, considering how different cultures and societies interpret mental illness and treatment.
- Assess the impact of stigma, social control, and institutionalisation on the experiences of individuals with mental health issues.
- Apply historical and cultural insights to contemporary issues in mental health care and policy.
- A week-by-week guide to the topics you will explore in this subject will be provided in your study materials.
This subject explores the social and cultural dimensions of mental health, focusing on how mental illness has been understood, treated, and represented throughout history and across cultures. It offers a critical examination of the evolution of mental health concepts, drawing on seminal theories from thinkers like Michel Foucault, Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung, Andrew Scull, Roy Porter, Elaine Showalter, and other figures who have shaped the field. The subject will investigate the role of institutions like madhouses and asylums, as well as the social implications of labels like "madness" and "illness," both in historical and contemporary contexts. Additionally, students will explore the cultural differences in the understanding of mental health, addressing how mental health is perceived and treated in different societies and how these perceptions affect individuals' lives.
Through an interdisciplinary approach, students will gain an understanding of the historical, psychological, social, and cultural factors that shape mental health and mental illness. Topics covered include the treatment of mental illness in the past, the role of the state in regulating mental health, the cultural stigma associated with mental health, and how current approaches to mental illness reflect historical legacies. By critically examining these issues, students will also develop a more nuanced understanding of mental health in contemporary society.
Please Note: All students studying at Murdoch University will need to complete the compulsory unit, Murdoch Academic Passport (MAP100), which only takes 2-3 hours to complete online. Find out more: http://goto.murdoch.edu.au/MurdochAcademicPassport.
- Historical Conceptualisation of Mental Illness (30%)
- Cross-Cultural Exploration of Mental Health Perceptions (35%)
- Contemporary Mental Health Issues Informed by Historical and Cultural Contexts (35%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
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Entry requirements
Others
To enrol in this subject, you must have passed a minimum of 12 credit points at 100-level.
Additional requirements
No additional requirements
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
What to study next?
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
UndergraduateMUR-COM-DEG
UndergraduateMUR-BAR-DEG
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