Course unit details:
Mental Health Law
| Unit code | LAWS30471 |
|---|---|
| Credit rating | 20 |
| Unit level | Level 3 |
| Teaching period(s) | Semester 1 |
| Available as a free choice unit? | Yes |
Overview
This unit aims to being about a clear understanding of a range of philosophies and ideologies that underpin mental health legislation, past and present. Students will learn about law and policy on mental health issues in England and Wales and the competing interests faced by service users, family members and professionals in mental health contexts.
Aims
The unit aims to:
Provide students with an understanding of a range of philosophies and ideologies that underpin mental health legislation, past and present.
To facilitate students’ understanding of law and policy on mental health issues in England and Wales.
To encourage students to develop textual research skills.
To encourage students to work collaboratively with fellow peers.
To introduce students to the competing interests faced by service users, family members and professionals in mental health contexts.
To encourage students to think broadly about the role of the law in placing limits on key freedoms.
This optional course unit is available to LLB Law, Law with Criminology and Law with Politics students in Year 3 of their studies.
Teaching and learning methods
The subject will be taught through 27 hours of lectures and one seminar per fortnight per student. Additionally, students will be given 3 hours of skills development classes in which we will provide guidance on improving skills of argumentation; effective communication with non-legal stakeholders and report writing.
Knowledge and understanding
Understand the scope and application of English mental health law and its relevance to a range of academic disciplines and emerging policy initiatives.
Intellectual skills
Explain the effectiveness of mental health law by reference to principles/philosophies form relevant disciplines. Make effective use of a range of paper and electronic legal research tools to support learning and research. Articulate knowledge in written and oral form and refine skills of critical analysis in appraising the credibility of existing legal rules in the field.
Practical skills
Report-writing for non-legal stakeholders. Develop visual aids to support communication with stakeholder and research skills.
Transferable skills and personal qualities
Students should show collaborative working, time-management and stakeholder communications.
Assessment methods
| Method | Weight |
|---|---|
| Other | 67% |
| Written assignment (inc essay) | 33% |
This course is assessed by one examination, and one piece of coursework.
Written Exam - 2500 words 67%
Coursework/Report - 33%
Recommended reading
Keywood and Allen, Mental Health Law and Policy, 2022. Additional resources available at: https://www.readinglists.manchester.ac.uk/leganto/readinglist/searchlists/338988488800001631?auth=CAS
Teaching staff
| Staff member | Role |
|---|---|
| Neil Allen | Unit coordinator |
| Kirsty Keywood | Unit coordinator |
Additional notes
This course is available to students in the University of Manchester, provided they have some knowledge of law. For further details please contact kirsty.keywood@manchester. ac.uk
Pre-requisites: Students who are not registered on the LLB programmes must have some prior legal education that includes the English legal system, the Human Rights Act and judicial review.
Timetable
See Law School undergraduate timetable page