PHIL20460 Philosophy & Mental Disorder

Academic Year 2019/2020

This module brings some philosophical questions to topics in the area of mental health.

The following topics are considered.
• what makes “mental disorders” real
• whether depression is a medical condition or an existential position
• the moral vs. medical nature of personality disorders
• addiction and free will
• the loss of personal identity in mental disorder
• whether we are “competent” to consent when we experience mental illness
• the possibility or desirability of predicting dangerousness
• mental disorder and the limits of criminal and moral responsibility

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

• An understanding of where philosophy can help us to understand some of the central concepts behind the idea of mental disorder.

• An appreciation of the differences between medical and non-medical approaches.


Indicative Module Content:

• what makes “mental disorders” real
• whether depression is a medical condition or an existential position
• the moral vs. medical nature of personality disorders
• addiction and free will
• the loss of personal identity in mental disorder
• whether we are “competent” to consent when we experience mental illness
• the possibility or desirability of predicting dangerousness
• mental disorder and the limits of criminal and moral responsibility

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24
Tutorial

8
Autonomous Student Learning

93
Total

125
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures, with questions and answers during classes, tutorials on pre-prepared topics. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
PHIL30380 - Philosophy & Mental Disorder


 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Essay: 2,000-2,500 word essay on a specified topic. Week 9 n/a Graded No

40
Assignment: A choice of 4 questions, selecting 2. Answers of 1,000 words each (i.e. 2,000 words overall). A file containing both answers to be submitted to Brightspace. Unspecified n/a Graded No

60

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

One essay is required during the semester. It is marked, using a schematic feedback sheet, and students can, when collecting essays discuss highlighted points.

Name Role
Mr Nilantha McPartland Tutor