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Introduction Objectives Text Weather Guidelines Assignments & Grading Test Make-Up Policy Students With Disabilities Grievances Content Outline

Introduction: 

This course provides an overview of multidimensional factors, perspectives and approaches associated with mental disorder.  It surveys major perspectives and reviews the history of the perception of mental disorder in western society.   Classification, diagnosis, therapeutic approaches and institutional responses within the context of social work practice, values and ethics are discussed.   Medical, legal, and social issues related to mental health and the treatment of people with mental disorders are addressed. 

My experience has been that the composition of the class varies much from semester to semester in terms of size, numbers of major/non-majors, undergraduate/graduate students and in regard to other factors. Therefore, this syllabus should be viewed as a general template for the course and you can expect adjustments during the semester.

Objectives:

The objectives of this course are to:

1. Develop a critical understanding of the historical and contemporary perspectives on mental deviance or mental illness
2. Develop an appreciation of the subjective distress and/or experiences of individuals labeled as mentally deviant or mentally ill
3. Develop an appreciation of the dynamics of the institutional responses to mental deviance and of current conditions and programs
4. Develop an awareness of current classification and processing of the mentally disordered
5. Trace the history and current status of legal insanity, rights of patients, and related legal issues
6. Learn about the differential effects of mental disorder with regard to sex, age, race and socioeconomic status
7. Become familiar with research on mental conditions, treatments, and demographic variables in the mental health field
8. Become familiar with current issues in the field of mental health that affect research and practice

Text:

Gallager, B. J., Sociology of Mental Illness:  New Jersey:   Prentice-Hall

Weather Guidelines

It is always possible that weather might make coming to class difficult or impossible, particularly since this course meets off-campus. Although UNI seldom closes, in the event that UNI does cancel classes, we will of course not meet. We will also not meet in the event that Hawkeye Community College cancels classes because of weather or any other reason. Generally, these announcements are made on the radio and television. You are also advised to use your own discretion depending on your individual travel situation.

Students With Disabilities

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) provides protection from discrimination for qualified individuals with disabilities. Students with a disability who require assistance should let me know near the beginning of the semester what class and academic accommodations they need. You should also contact the Office of Disability Services (ODS) for coordination of academic accommodations and additional assistance. The ODS is located at 213 Student Services Center and their phone number is 319-273-2676.

 Assignments and Grading

Assignments will be given over the course of the semester. Attending class will help you learn the topic, requirements and due dates.

There will be three objective examinations occurring approximately Feb. 8^th, March 8^rd and April 26thth^th.

Undergraduate students will be expected toe research a topic related to mental health and to present their findings to the class on either April 12th or 19th.

 Graduate students will be expected to research the literature on what is empirically known about and the empirically tested interventions for relatively common conditions (anxiety, depression, etc.) or special populations (women, racial groups, etc.) in mental health and to provide a written and verbal summary of your findings. Information related to the APA style for referencing may be found at: (coming soon) http://www.uni.edu/~hansonj/home/Papers/apa.htm

                          Tests                                                              50%

                          Assignments/Attendance                            25%

                          (includes Grad Paper if appropriate)

                           Individual Project                                           25%

Test Make Up Policy

Students who are not able to take the tests on the date scheduled must make up the exam prior to the next class period in the Social Work offices on the main campus. Failure to do so will result in a grade of 50% on the exam.

Brief Content Outline

The following is a tentative outline of the course. As noted above, it will no doubt be altered as the semester proceeds.

Part I. Introduction

Jan 11 - Introduction & Overview of Course

Jan 18 - Martin Luther King’s Birthday Observed (no class)

Jan 25 -   Chapter 1 - Mental Illness and Society

Feb 1 -    Chapter 2 - Concepts Definitions & Types of Mental Illness                    Chapter 3 - Environmental Theories of Mental Illness

Feb 8 -    Test One

Feb 15 -  Chapter 4 - Schizophrenic, Delusional and Mood Disorders                      (Gallagher)

Feb 22 -     Chap 4 (cont'd)

March 1 -    Medical Treatments – Medication and ECT

March 8 -    Test Two

March 15 -  Spring Break - No Class

March 22 -     Chapter 5 - Anxiety Disorders (Gallagher)

March 29 -     Chapter 15 - Beoming a Mental Patient (Gallagher)

    Chapter 16 - Treatment: The Inpatient Experience      (Gallagher)

    Chapter 17 - After the Hospital (Gallagher)