Undergraduate Module Descriptor

PHL3054: Philosophy of Psychiatry

This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 academic year.

Module Aims

The aim of this module is to introduce you to core debates within the exciting and burgeoning field of philosophy of psychiatry. It will present, explore and critically evaluate different approaches, positions and theories within philosophy of psychiatry, and will elucidate connections between these and theoretical commitments in other areas of philosophy (e.g. philosophy of mind or ethics). You will therefore enrich your thinking not only about mental disorder, but also about other areas in philosophy. I will also encourage you to think critically and constructively about current mental health policies.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
This module's assessment will evaluate your achievement of the ILOs listed here – you will see reference to these ILO numbers in the details of the assessment for this module.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to:
Module-Specific Skills	1. identify and cogently discuss the key methods, questions, themes and topics in philosophy of psychiatry and draw connections with those in other areas of philosophy; 2. critically distinguish and evaluate different approaches and arguments within core areas of philosophy of psychiatry, and appreciate the consequences that these have for positions in other areas of philosophy.
Discipline-Specific Skills	3. demonstrate a high level of understanding of the interrelation between theories, values and lived experience, with particular focus on psychiatry and psychiatric conditions; 4. demonstrate sound knowledge of different types of philosophical analysis.
Personal and Key Skills	5. demonstrate a significantly expanded philosophical vocabulary and understanding with respect to key ideas in philosophy of psychiatry and how this relates to philosophical approaches in other areas of philosophy; 6. conduct research independently, engaging with complex ideas and problems while developing original research insights; 7. engage in complex and high level argumentation both orally and through writing.

Module Content

Syllabus Plan

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:
1. What is psychiatry?
2. What is mental illness?
3. Issues in psychiatric diagnosis
4. Mental illness, moral responsibility and the boundaries of the person
5. Religion, society and pathology
6. Schizophrenia and psychosis
7. Hearing voices
8. Delusions and the nature of belief
9. Depression: philosophical issues
10. Addiction and the will

Learning and Teaching

This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	Guided independent study	Placement / study abroad
22	128	0

...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	11	11 x 1 hour lectures. Lectures provide you with detailed overview and analysis of debates and positions in the philosophy of psychiatry.
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	11	11 x 1 hour seminars. Seminars build on the content of the lectures and involve free-flowing yet guided debate between students. Each student, as part of their formative assessment, will be asked in one of the seminars to deliver a 10 minute presentation that will serve to promote class discussion.
Guided Independent Study	44	Preparation for lectures and seminars
Guided Independent Study	84	Independent research for presentation and coursework essay

Online Resources

This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).