MAPSD4010 The Human Being, Mental Suffering and the Social Environment Course description

In this course, students become familiar with basic concepts such as mental health, mental disorders and mental health care from academic and theory of science perspectives. Ethical aspects and the importance of interpersonal relationships will be discussed throughout the course. The course also deals with organisational framework conditions.

Admission to the programme.

After completing the course, the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and competence:

Knowledge

The student has

• advanced knowledge of mental health, mental disorders and substance abuse issues seen from different academic and theory of science perspectives.
• basic knowledge about classification and diagnosis systems for mental disorders
• in-depth knowledge about the importance of relationships in mental health care
• basic knowledge about organisational, legal, health policy, academic and financial framework conditions
• in-depth knowledge about the organisation of mental health services, and how this affects patients' recovery processes.

Skills

The student is capable of

• disseminating the field's core theoretical and empirical knowledge in writing and orally
• participating in academic and health and social policy discussions that promote knowledge about the field of mental health, and communicating the user/patient's perspective
• analysing and taking a critical approach to health and social policy, legal and financial framework conditions for working in mental health care, and applying the analyses to academic and ethical argumentation
• analysing the discipline's/profession's contribution to interdisciplinary cooperation at various levels and of applying this knowledge in the coordination of user-oriented services.

Competence

The student is capable of

• integrating knowledge about the view of human life and ethics in academic discussions relating to mental health and mental disorders

Study groups, lectures, seminars and self-study.

The syllabus amounts to approx. 1600 pages.

The following must have been completed and approved in order for a student to be permitted to take the exam:

Attendance in compulsory activities

• of 80% in study groups and seminars

Group assignment

• 700 words (+/- 20%) Presentation in groups with opponents.

Individual assignment

• 2,500 words (+/- 20 %).

Professional practice builds on the assessment and application of research, and competence from the development of the field and clinical experience. This requires that you, in your professional practice, are able to read, understand and apply research literature and see this in the context of clinical experience and professional development. Theory of science makes up an important part of the basis for understanding scientific activity. Through this part of the course, we want to stimulate an inquisitive and critical approach to knowledge development and with the make the students better equipped to critically assess which basis professional decisions are made. The course Theory of Science and Research Methods also provides an overview of the most used methods in qualitative and quantitative research, as well as on central research ethics principles. Insight into different methods means that you, as a professional practitioner, can identify research literature that is suitable for answering various academic questions.

Admission to the programme.

After completing the course, the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and competence:

Knowledge

The student

• has in-depth knowledge of the research process
• has in-depth knowledge of the most commonly used methods in qualitative and quantitative approaches to research
• has in-depth knowledge of the relationship between theory of science and research methods

Skills

The student is capable of

• planning the collection of qualitative and/or quantitative data
• analysing and interpreting quantitative data, such as descriptive tables and figures
• analysing and interpreting qualitative data, such as different kinds of text material
• identifying and elucidating research ethics issues in their own projects

Competence

The student is capable of

• applying knowledge and skills through critical analysis and reasoning to different types of knowledge, values and perspectives on humanity
• analysing relevant discipline-related, professional and research ethics issues and proposing solutions
• disseminating academic and research results of relevance to the health and social services

Lectures, group work, seminars with presentations and self-study.

In order to take the exam, the coursework requirement must be approved.

Group assignment

• The assignment is normally written in groups of 3-6 students
• Scope: 2,000 words (+/- 10 %)
• The syllabus must be used in the assignment
• Oral presentation in groups
• The students receive oral feedback from their fellow students and from the lecturer.