Module: FPS6002-20 Forensic Mental Health

Credit Value: 20

(Interim) Module Tutor: Dawn Albertson

Module Tutor Contact Details: d.albertson@bathspa.ac.uk

1. Brief description and aims of module:

Forensic mental health is an increasingly important area, with the lack of state-provided mental health treatments interventions. This module aims to set out both the key concepts in forensic mental health as well as the way the discipline operates in the broader context of criminal justice and mental health care systems. The module will examine the types of mental health problems commonly seen in criminal enterprise, and will also discuss the paradoxes inherent in this area – treat or imprison, what comes first, crime or mental distress, how to we treat and punish? The module will also consider the role of adequate mental health provision within society as well as the penal code. Are we doing enough, or are we even doing the right thing to help vulnerable people maintain law and order?

2. Outline syllabus:

The following topics will be considered:

• Mental health

• Symptoms and causality

• Mental health and criminal responsibility

• Forensic mental health and service provision

• Psychopathy and psychopaths

• Sociopathy and personality disorders

• Aggression and violence

• Sexual crimes

• Arson and mental health

• Treatment and rehabilitation of those with mental health problems

• To treat or incarcerate? Paradoxes of forensic mental health

3. Teaching and learning activities:

Teaching and learning methods will include lectures, tutor and student-led seminars, and individual tutorials.

Assessment Item 1:

• Assessment Type: CW

• Description: Critical review of a mental health forensic case study (2500 words)

• % Weighting: 50

Assessment Item 2:

• Assessment Type: CW

• Description: Essay (2500 words)

• % Weighting: 50