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The Doctor Patient Relationship in Literature and the Arts: Reel Psychiatry-Cinematic Representations of Mental Illness

Course Description

There is a long-standing and well-documented relationship between movies and psychiatry. For many non-physicians, fiction and documentary films have provided the main exposure to the personal experiences of patients and professionals grappling with mental illness and to the symptoms and treatments of psychotic or personality disorders.

For many physicians, such films have provided ready access to the storehouse of images that dominate the unconscious and to the complex motivations that make up an unforgettable character-patient. Just how accurate are film depictions of psychiatric conditions? And how have such cinematic representations shaped our personal responses, cultural beliefs and social policies regarding the mentally ill and those who care for them?

Course Objectives

  • To gain insight into the doctor-patient relationship through the analysis and discussion of literature and film
  • To learn more about the historical, social, and cultural contexts of medical practice
  • To encourage discussion of relevant topics for which students' other course work and clinical practice allow little time
  • To develop the skills of observation and interpretation, which are essential for clinical competence and professional development
  • To consider diverse perspectives on medicine and to help students reflect upon and articulate their own roles in the medical profession

Requirements

This course will meet for 2 weeks and consist of viewing and discussing selected films and relevant readings from literature, psychiatry and film criticism. In addition to attendance and participation, students will be expected to submit four, one-page "review and response" worksheets to questions, themes and/or techniques raised by the films, readings and discussions.

  1. Breaking Cinematic Ground: Snakepit (1948) and Titicut Follies (1969)
  2. The Family and Mental Illness: Ordinary People (1980) and Out of the Shadow (2004)
  3. Society, the Individual and Mental Illness: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) and Girl, Interrupted (1999)
  4. Relationships and Mental Illness: A Beautiful Mind (2001) and What About Bob? (1991)

For dates and times of this course, call the Dean's Office at 581-3657.

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