Women, psychiatry and madness
Jan van Bommel
12 points
* 2 hours per week
* Second Semester
* Clayton
Objectives This subject aims to introduce students to the socio-historical background which has shaped the various phases of the institutionalisation and de-institutionalisation of madness in contemporary society; introduce students to the diverse sociological and feminist critiques of the subject area, women, psychiatry and madness; familiarise students with different interpretations of psychoanalysis and female subjectivity, such as, Freudian, Lacanian and French feminist; enable students to understand, analyse and articulate the various theoretical approaches studied; provide students with analytical and conceptual resources so they may write clear and competent essays on various topics.
Synopsis We will begin with a socio-historical analysis of the institutionalisation of madness and its current practice of de-institutionalisation. We will then critically assess sociological, medical and feminist theories of women, femininity and madness. We will focus on how the institutions of psychiatry and psychotherapy `understand' madness for women. As well, we will examine various feminist critiques of psychoanalysis and female subjectivity.
Assessment Two essays (4500 words each): 50% each
Preliminary reading
Bernheimer C and Kahane C (eds) In Dora's case: Freud, hysteria, feminism Virago, 1985
Busfield J Managing madness Unwin Hyman, 1989
Chesler P Women and madness Doubleday, 1972
Foucault M Madness and civilization Tavistock, 1967
Grosz E Sexual subversions Allen and Unwin, 1989
Russell D Women, madness and medicine Polity, 1995
Showalter E The female malady: Women, madness and English culture, 1830-1980 Pantheon, 1985
Smith D E and David S J (eds) Women look at psychiatry Press Gang, 1975
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