SOC 4863
T, TH 11-12:15
CH 254
Dr. Lara Foley
Office: Chapman 210
Phone: 631-2050
E-mail: lara-foley@tulsa.edu
Website: http://www.personal.utulsa.edu/~lara-foley
Office Hours: T, H 9:30-10:30 or by appointment
Course Description
This class explores mental health and illness in everyday life. In the first section of the course, we will examine sociological theories about mental illness and discuss how these differ from psychological or biological theories. We will also discuss the social demographics of mental illness, and look at the cultural contours of mental illness and treatment programs. The second section of the course, addresses caregiving and especially how family members negotiate boundaries, manage emotions, and cope with caring for a child, parent, sibling or spouse. Here we will also learn about the history and modern social dynamics of the mental health institution. The final section of the course looks at the intersection of mental health systems and social policy.
Required Texts
Horwitz, Allan V. and Teresa L. Scheid (eds.). 1999. A Handbook for the Study of Mental Health: Social Contexts, Theories, and Systems. Cambridge University Press.
Karp, David. 2001. Burden of Sympathy: How Families Cope with Mental Illness. Oxford University Press.
Danquah, Meri Nana-Ama. 1998. Willow Weep for Me: A Black Woman’s Journey Through Depression. New York: The Ballantine Publishing Group.
Two articles on reserve at the library.
Course Requirements and Evaluation Criteria
Exam 1 25 %
Exam 2 25 %
Paper 1 25 %
Paper 2 25 %
________
100 %
Attendance and Participation
Attendance is not required in this class, but this does not mean that it is not important. A major component of this course is active discussion, for this reason it is important that you be in class. If you must miss a class, it is your responsibility to find out from your classmates any announcement or material covered on that date.
Papers (2@25% = 50 %).
Paper topics will be discussed/announced in class. Each paper should be 3-5 pages.
Papers are due at the beginning of the class period on the dates listed as due dates. Also, these assignments must be stapled. I will deduct points for unstapled papers. The papers should also be typed, double-spaced, in 12-point standard font with standard margins.
Midterm Exam (25 %)
There will be a mid-term exam covering all course material including readings, lectures, guest lectures and films. The exam may include short-answer and short essays.
Final Exam (25 %)
There will be a final exam covering all course material including readings, lectures, guest lectures and films from the second half of the semester. The exam may include short-answer and short essays.
Important Information
1. Discrimination, harassment, or intimidation will not be tolerated. Everyone has the right to their own opinion, but should also remember that others also have the right to a classroom free from hostility, ridicule, or embarrassment, and an atmosphere conducive to learning. Every student is expected to participate in a responsible and mature manner that enhances education. Any conduct that disrupts the learning process may lead to disciplinary action.
2. See the Student Handbook for the University of Tulsa’s policies on plagiarism and academic misconduct. You are responsible for understanding what plagiarism is and avoiding it. If you have questions, please ask me.
3. Students with disabilities should contact the Center for Student Academic Support to self-identify their need in order to facilitate their rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Center for Student Academic Support is in Holmes Student Center, Room 59.
4. All students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with and take advantage of services provided by the Center for Student Academic Support such as tutoring, academic counseling, and developing study skills. The center for Student Academic Support provides confidential consultations to any student with academic concerns as well as to students with disabilities.
Important Dates:
Oct. 10 – midterm exam
Oct. 24 - Paper 1 due
Nov. 14 – Paper 2 due
Dec. 16 -final exam (8:00-10:25 am)
Key:
H&S – Horwitz and Scheid
K – Karp
D - Danquah
T Aug. 27 – introduction to course
H Aug. 29 – H&S - Reading 1 “Mental Health and Mental Illness: Definitions and Perspectives”
T Sept. 3 – H&S - Reading 2 “The Measurement of Mental Disorder”
H Sept. 5 – H&S - Reading 6 “Sociological Approaches to Mental Illness”
Reading 7 “The Labeling of Mental Disorder”
T Sept. 10 – H&S - Reading 14 “Socioeconomic Stratification and Mental Disorder”
H Sept. 12 – H&S - Reading 16 “Race and Mental Health”
T Sept. 17 – H&S - Reading 19 “Gender and Mental Health”
H Sept. 19 – H&S - Reading 20 “The Labeling Theory of Mental Disorder”
T Sept. 24 – H&S - Reading 17 “Social Stressors in Childhood and Adolescence”
H Sept. 26 – H&S - Reading 18 “Well-Being Across the Life Course”
T Oct. 1 – H&S - Reading 30 “Cultural Diversity and Mental Health Treatment”
H Oct. 3 – H&S - Reading 31 “Mental Health Systems in Cross-Cultural Context”
T Oct. 8 – D -Willow Weep (1st half – at least p. 95)
H Oct. 10 – D -Willow Weep (2nd half)
T Oct. 15 - H&S Reading 12 “Family Structure and Process”
K - chapter 1 “Illness and Obligation”
H Oct. 17 – K - chapter 2 “Bearing Responsibility”
chapter 3 “Managing Emotions”
T Oct. 22 - K - chapter 4 “Family Ties”
chapter 5 “The Four Cs”
H Oct. 24 - K - chapter 6 “Surviving the System”
chapter 7 “Caring in Postmodern America”
T Oct. 29 – (on reserve) Goffman “The Moral Career of the Mental Patient”
H Oct. 31 – Film
T Nov. 5 – Film
H Nov. 7 – H&S - Reading 21 “How Do People Come to Use Mental Health Services?”
T Nov. 12 – H&S - Reading 23 “Institutional Change and Its Consequences for the Delivery of Mental Health Services”
H Nov. 14 – H&S - Reading 24 “Integrating Service Delivery Systems for Persons with a Severe Mental Illness”
Reading 26 “Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services and Outcomes”
T Nov. 19 – H&S - Reading 27 “An Introduction to the Mental Health Consumer Movement”
H Nov. 21- H&S - Reading 29 “The HIV-Mental Health Challenge”
T Nov. 26 - Thanksgiving
H Nov. 28 – Thanksgiving
T Dec. 3 – TBA
H Dec. 5- TBA
*I reserve the right to change the reading schedule as needed.