Module manager: Dr Tasia Scrutton
Email: T.Scrutton@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2026/27
This module is not approved as a discovery module
On this module we will consider questions such as: How do different people, including people from various religious traditions, make sense of mental illness? And how do these different interpretations of mental illness affect the experience of mental illness? How might the interpretations religious communities give to people’s experiences of mental illness intersect with other characteristics, such as ethnicity, race, socio-economic class, gender and sexuality? This module brings theology, philosophy and Religious Studies into discussion with psychiatry, psychology, sociology and medical anthropology to discuss key questions relating to religion and mental health. It will be relevant to philosophers, theologians and Religious Studies scholars who wish to develop their expertise in relation to real-world concerns, and to people considering therapeutic and caring professions, whether clinical or pastoral. Please note this is an optional module and runs subject to enrolments. If a low number of students choose this module, then the module may not run and you may be asked to choose another module.
This module aims to:
1) Familiarise you with various religious interpretations of mental illness from several religious traditions,
2) Enable you to understand the (positive or negative) impact these interpretations have on people's experiences, and the way they intersect with e.g. gender and sexuality and relate to broader socio-political issues including ones relating to race, ethnicity and socio-economic class
3) Increase your awareness of and critical engagement with pastorally-and clinically-relevant therapeutic resources from religious traditions
The objectives will be fulfilled through:
i) Lectures where you are introduced to core concepts, readings, and arguments.
ii) Seminar preparation and participation where you read texts critically, analyse the arguments, discuss the material with your peers, and are encouraged to develop your own point of view.
On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
1) Analyse the way interpretations of mental health/illness affect the experience of mental illness and its treatment.
2) Analyse religious interpretations of mental illness with respect to gender, sexuality, and/or wider social, economic or political issues.
3) Critically evaluate religious interpretations of mental health and illness in terms of whether they can be unhelpful or damaging, or alternatively therapeutic.
4) Develop and defend your own view on the relationship between religion and mental health.
Skills Learning Outcomes
5) Communicate ideas and understanding clearly and concisely, using appropriate academic language (Academic and Work Ready skill)
6) Identify ethical questions and use ethical frameworks when analysing issues arising in real-world contexts (Work Ready, Enterprise and Sustainability skill)
Ability to employ concepts and methods of argumentation specific to religious studies and philosophy
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seminars | 10 | 1 | 10 |
| Lecture | 10 | 1 | 10 |
| Independent online learning hours | 180 | ||
| Private study hours | 0 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 20 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
Students will have the opportunity to submit an essay plan or partial draft on which they will receive written feedback.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Essay | Essay | 100 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
For the resit, students will select a different essay topic from the list provided for the original attempt.
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 30/04/2026
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team