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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2021/2022

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Law : Law

Postgraduate Course: Mental Health Law (LAWS11466)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Law CollegeCollege of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) AvailabilityNot available to visiting students
SCQF Credits20 ECTS Credits10
SummaryIt is only in recent years that talking freely and openly about mental health issues and what it is to experience mental health conditions have become more acceptable in mainstream society. This course is highly relevant in today's world and
recognises the importance of expanding and developing knowledge and understanding of mental health issues and the
application of mental health law.

The main aim of the course is to examine the development of mental health law and how it is applied to related conditions that arise throughout the spectrum of life, beginning with diagnosis of conditions through early years, childhood, adolescence, adulthood and senior years. As well as examining specific legislation, the course (to a lesser extent) will focus on: changing societal attitudes to mental health and the growing recognition that mental health is as important as physical health.

The course will also consider the provisions in Scots law and that in England & Wales, and Northern Ireland for the care and detention of offenders who have a mental health diagnosis. It should be noted that the basis of this course lies in the law and legislation; it does not seek to focus on medical diagnosis or treatment for mental health conditions.
Course description The course will consist in a series (10) of Weekly modules covering a set of topics in mental health law. The intention is to begin by introducing some basic concepts, capacity, and build on this to discuss the extensive legislative provisions in place in Scotland and the impact on individuals in the event of experiencing mental health diagnosis.

Discussion will take place by way of ten (10) weekly on campus seminars.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2021/22, Not available to visiting students (SS1) Quota:  25
Course Start Semester 1
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 200 ( Seminar/Tutorial Hours 20, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 176 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) This course will be assessed by the following component(s):

1) 1000 Word Policy Brief (40%)
2) 4000 Word Essay (60%)
3) 1000 Word formative Policy Brief
Feedback Feedback on the formative and summative assessments will be provided in written form via Learn, the University of Edinburgh's Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).

Feedback on both formative and summative in-course assessed work will be provided in time to be of use in subsequent assessments within the course.

Students are expected to make use of feedback given on the 1,000 word formative essay, to enhance both their 4,000 word summative essays and their 1,000 word summative Policy Briefs.
No Exam Information
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Recognise the growing need for knowledge and understanding of the law relating to mental health and the move towards dispelling the stigmas attached to associated conditions.
  2. Apply his or her knowledge and understanding of the law to case studies, and acquire the skills and show the academic confidence necessary to critically analyse and comment upon current law as well as academic research and opinion.
  3. Demonstrate the ability to work independently in researching and analysing issues in mental health law.
  4. Communicate clearly through written assignments their understanding and application of the legal issues covered by the course.
  5. Demonstrate independent learning, the ability to research, write and discuss at a professional level the subject matter of the course.
Reading List
Brenda Hale, Mental Health Law (6th ed.) Sweet & Maxwell. 2017
Jill Stavert, Mental Health, Incapacity and the Law in Scotland (3rd ed.), Bloomsbury Professional. 2021
Peter Bartlett & Ralph Sandland, Mental Health Law (4th ed.). Oxford University Press. 2014
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Knowledge and Understanding:
On completion of the course the student will be able to recognise the growing need for knowledge and understanding of the law relating to mental health and the move towards dispelling the stigmas attached to associated conditions

Graduate Attributes: Skills and abilities in Research and Enquiry
The student will be able to apply his or her knowledge and understanding of the law to case studies, and acquire the skills and show the academic confidence necessary to critically analyse and comment upon current law as well as academic research and opinion.

Graduate Attributes: Skills and abilities in Personal and Intellectual Autonomy
The student will be able to demonstrate the ability to work independently in researching and analysing issues in mental health law.

Graduate Attributes: Skills and abilities in Communication
The student will be able to communicate clearly through written assignments their understanding and application of the legal issues covered by the course.

Graduate Attributes: Skills and abilities in Personal Effectiveness
Students will be able to demonstrate independent learning, the ability to research, write and discuss at a professional level the subject matter of the course.

Technical/practical skills
The student will be able to demonstrate the ability to access and employ online resources, write assignments to an appropriate level and display excellent ICT skills.
KeywordsMedical Law,Ethics,Level 11,Mental Health,Postgraduate,Law
Contacts
Course organiserDr Murray Earle
Tel: (0131 6)50 8183
Email: murray.earle@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMiss Bethan Walters
Tel: (0131 6)50 2386
Email: bethan.walters@ed.ac.uk
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