Pgdip creative arts and mental health wolfson institute of preventive medicine

Structure

Creative Arts and Mental Health is available to study to at MSc or PGDip levels.

Completion of the first four modules is accredited for exit with a PGDip in Creative Arts and Mental Health.

In term 1 students take Module 1- Critical Mental Health Sciences and Module 2- Performing Mental Health. In term 2 students take a choice of two existing Module 3 options offered by the Department of Drama (Cultural Industries or Independent Practical Project) and Module 4- Key Critical Figures in Mental Health Practice.

The PGDip option is only available to study full-time.

At the discretion of the programme organiser and the examination board, those not completing the programme of study for the PG Diploma may be eligible to exit with a PG Certificate.

This module sets out the existing state of mental health care and practice, taking account of the historical legacy and the place of power and identity in contemporary practice. Students hear about assessment and diagnostic practices, their strengths and limitations, and about traditions of evaluation and research methods ranging from medical to social sciences. The module is based on seminal readings and textbooks that investigate the philosophy, social and anthropological perspectives on mental health practice, and the place of representation and stigma in modern policy and practice. The scientific method and research methods found in psychiatric and medical practice will be critiqued. The taught component of this module consists of 1 hours lecture and 2 hours workshop and group work for 12 weeks.

This module explores the performance of mental health and mental illness as they have been defined across history, and in the contemporary moment. In particular the module asks how the social construction of mental health is reflected in and produced by performance. Special attention is given to representations of ‘madness’ and ‘mental illness’ produced in historical performance, as well as to how these representations have since been reinterpreted and adapted to reflect current constructions and concerns. The taught component of this module consists of a total of 22 hours of lecturers and workshops.

This module explores cultural industries – both their practices, and the issues (ethical, practical, political, economic, etc.) they raise. It examines the political and economic contexts and practices that give rise to and affect them. It evaluates their aims as well as the practices they do and might employ to achieve those aims. Module convenor(s) facilitate students’ placement with an appropriate industry partner and students develop industry-based projects to complete within the context of the industry partner’s work. Students’ work on this module is partly seminar-based, and partly based on work with the industry partner. The taught component of this module consists in 2 hours seminars for 8 weeks.

This module requires students to devise an individual project that focuses on a chosen area of performance practice. The aim of the module is for you to raise a series of research questions that are addressed as a result of and through their practical work. This could encompass playwriting, applied drama, directing, dramaturgy, acting, new technologies, site-specific performance and live art. Working under the supervision of the module convenor and a mentor, each student crafts a professional project that also provides an opportunity for critical reflection on the processes of performance practice. Students take part in 11 weekly workshop classes at 4 hours per class.

The two assessments (presentation and portfolio) are designed to provide public platforms for the dissemination of rigorous practice-based research while maintaining an emphasis on high standards of professional performance making.

This module is based on existing and historical leaders and influential practitioners and researchers. This module investigates their approach to mental health care and research. Freud, Jung, Laing, Lacan, Pinel and Basaglia and contemporary pioneers are discussed and their work and legacy laid open for its implications for safe and humane mental health care. This module encourages more practice-based explorations but is distinct in using and proposing integration of evaluation methods and processes from social, anthropological and medical sciences. As per Module 1, this module is research methods-driven and provide critical reviews and methodological reflections. The taught component of this module consists in 1 hours lecture and 2 hours workshop and group work for 12 weeks.