Culture and Mental Illness

How do cultural contexts shape the understanding of mental illness? How have different Hispanic cultures depicted various mental ailments? How do doctors, government, and the society respond to individuals who “lose their mind”? This seminar examines how ‘mental illness’ is understood in various Hispanic cultures and across time. By looking at mental illness, we will investigate the intellectual foundations of social norms and ways of reasoning in different historical and social circumstances. Readings will include works by Cervantes Rivera Garza, Loriga, Zunzunegui, Bellatin, Melanie Klein, Karen Horney, and Foucault. 3 hrs Sem.