Module: Sociology of Mental Health

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Sociology of Mental Health
Module Code	SOC1011 (ITS: NS329)
Faculty	Nursing, PsyT & Comm Health	School	Science & Health
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

This module introduces students to sociological concepts and theories relevant to mental illness and mental health care. It critically explores issues such as culture and mental health, stigma and labelling, psychiatry and power, mental health care and institutional control, and the patterning of mental health inequalities along class, gender and ethnic lines. The module seeks to foster students’ sociological imagination and to assist future mental health nurses in asking socially relevant questions and in reflecting on the wider social factors which influence mental health and mental health care.

Learning Outcomes

1. Understand sociological concepts and theories relevant to mental health and mental health care
2. Document the social context of real-life experiences of mental illness and mental health care
3. Foster your sociological imagination by critically applying sociological concepts and theories to your understanding of a) current challenges facing mental health and mental health care; and of b) real-life experiences of mental illness and mental health care
4. Draw the implications of sociological perspectives on mental health and mental health care for your professional practice and wider policy choices in the field of mental health care

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	In class lecture in-put & discussion
Directed learning	50	Reading
Directed learning	2	Seen examination paper
Independent Study	49	Coming to an understanding & development of ideas
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	21026	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Sabina Stan	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Assignment	n/a	60%	n/a
Formal Examination	End-of-Semester Final Examination	40%	End-of-Semester

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Culture and mental health

Stigma and labelling

Psychiatry and power

Mental health care and social control

Ethnic, gender and class inequalities in mental health

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Anne Rogers,David Pilgrim: 2014, A Sociology of Mental Health and Illness, Open University Press, Maidenhead, 300,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None