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Monash University

Master of Mind and Society

Course code: 3908 ~ Course abbreviation: MMind&Soc ~ Total credit points required: 72 ~ 1.5 years full-time, 3 years part-time ~ Managing faculty: Arts

Study mode and course location

On-campus (Caulfield; Clayton)

Course description

Mind and Society studies at Monash explore the mind-society interface in modern, multicultural societies. The program's goal is to offer students a broad, deep and contemporary understanding of the complex of social and psychodynamic forces which shape society: its organisations, power relations, and individuals. The course will interest psychotherapists, psychiatrists, teachers and counsellors, researchers and policy analysts, those working in community service and community advocacy, as well as postgraduate students interested in social and political thought, memory and trauma, and the mind-brain debates that link psychoanalysis and the neurosciences

The approach to teaching is inter-disciplinary, in which history, politics, sociology, bioethics, linguistics, cultural studies, philosophy, public health and psychodynamics come together. The two core units analyse psychoanalysis as a social movement, the impact of theories of the mind on modernity, the ethics of treatment, the work of the analyst, trauma and memory, regulation, the market and the state, and other volatile contemporary issues. The electives range widely, allowing students to develop a programme focusing on their intellectual and professional interests and needs. Mind subjects are presented by Monash scholars, practicing psychotherapists, and national and international guest speakers.

Course objectives

Students successfully completing this course will have: 1. a sound knowledge of diverse aspects of the academic discipline; 2. an understanding of the world view of the field of study; 3. a critical appreciation of the secondary literature in the field of study; 4. a familiarity with many of the key texts and cultural products pertaining to the field of study; 5. advanced reading and communication skills, both written and verbal; 6. advanced analytical skills; 7. a grasp of research methodology and ethics, and an ability to undertake a small, independent research project in one of the disciplines represented in the program.

Minimum pass grade

To graduate with the masters, students must gain a credit (60 C) or above in core units and a minimum credit average overall.

Course structure

Students complete 72 points, comprising 24 points of core units (12 points at level 4 and 12 points at level 5), plus 48 points of elective units, of which at least 12 points must be at level 5. Note that not all electives are available each year. One of the electives may be taken in another appropriate discipline, with the approval of the coordinator. Also note that electives offered by faculties other than Arts may have a unit cost higher than the Arts unit cost.

Course requirements

Core units

  • MIN4000 Introduction to mind and society (12 points)
  • MIN5010 Contested terrain: Contemporary debates in social conflict, power and the study of the mind (12 points)

Electives

Choose electives to the value of 48 points from the following:

  • CHB4203/CHB5203 Ethical issues in patient care (12 points)
  • CHB5207 Ethical issues in professional life (12 points)
  • CMH2001 Mental health of the elderly (6 points)
  • CMH2003 Transcultural mental health (6 points)
  • CMH2004 Mental health in rural settings (6 points)
  • DCP0001 Psychoanalytic and developmental theories I (6 points)
  • DCP0003 Psychoanalytic and developmental theories II (6 points) with permission of instructor
  • DCP0005 Principles of child psychotherapy (6 points) with permission of instructor
  • DCP0006 Principles of adolescent psychotherapy (6 points) with permission of instructor
  • HYM4270/HYM5270 Research methods in biography and life writing (12 points)
  • HYM4280/HYM5280 Reading and writing biography and life stories (12 points)
  • HYM4900/HYM5900 History, biography and autobiography (12 points)
  • LLC4040/LLC5040 Writing madness (12 points)
  • LLC4050/LLC5050 Freud's Vienna (12 points)
  • MHT0003 Counselling techniques for members of the teaching profession (12 points)
  • MHT0004 Organisational and group aspects of the school environment (12 points)
  • MIN5080 Race, self and social conflict (12 points)
  • MIN5090 Pathologies of the self (12 points)
  • MIN5xxx/MIN5xxx(A)/MIN5xxx(B) Research project in mind and society (24 points)
  • PLM4145/PLM5145 Crises of reason: Psyche, society, morality (12 points)

Exit points

After successful completion of 24 points of coursework, comprising 12 points of core units (level 4) plus 12 points of elective units (level 4 or 5), students may exit the program with a Graduate Certificate of Mind and Society. After successful completion of 48 points of coursework, comprising 24 points of core units (12 at level 4 and 12 at level 5) and 24 points of elective units (levels 4 and/or 5), students may exit with a Graduate Diploma of Mind and Society.

Course coordinators

Dr Christiane Weller, Professor Emeritus Graeme Smith

Director of academic and research programs

Professor Carla Lipsig-Mumm