Sociology | Mental Illness
S324 | 10270 | Mossakowski


What is mental illness?  What deviant behaviors are labeled mental
illnesses and why?  How should we as a society understand, prevent,
and respond to mental illness?  This course provides an introduction
to sociological theories and research regarding the definition,
experience, and treatment of mental disorders.  A sociological
perspective emphasizes that the definitions of mental disorders are
socially constructed and can change over history, a social
environment can impact the symptoms of a mental disorder, the
diagnoses of medical doctors can be influenced by social factors,
and societal reactions can stigmatize the mentally ill.  Various
readings and movies will be used to reveal the controversy that
surrounds mental illness in American society.