Law School Module Details
The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
Title MENTAL HEALTH LAW AND POLICY
Code LAW560
Coordinator Dr JB Fanning
Law
J.B.Fanning@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2015-16 Level 7 FHEQ Second Semester 20

Aims
  • To provide students with a basic overview of mental health law and policy in England and Wales.
  • To provide students with an insight into the legal powers governing mental health care and treatment.
  • To offer students the opportunity to evaluate and critique the principal policy drivers which shape mental health laws.
  • To enable students to apply theoretical models i n their analysis of mental health law and policy.
  • To promote a wider agenda for research into mental health law and policy.
    		•

    Learning Outcomes

    Demonstrate principles and techniques of advanced research in the field of mental health law and policy.
    Show an understanding of the relevant social, economic, political, historical, philosophical, ethical, scientific and cultural contexts within which mental health law and policy operate.

    Select and retrieve relevant legal and policy sources in both paper and electronic formats.

    Apply, analyse and appraise the legal sources of mental health law and policy from statutes, law reports, treaties, directives and other sources as appropriate.

    Apply legal knowledge to a practical situation and draw reasoned conclusions supported by legal authority.

    Synthesise information from primary legal sources to achieve detailed knowledge and understanding of mental health law and policy.

    Understand, analyse and apply English, European and international legal terminology, both orally and in writing, to explain and convey technical legal information at an advanced level.

    Demonstrate the advanced legal skills (e.g. critical analysis) necessary to enable them to reach a superior understanding of mental health law and policy, even where law has not previously been studied at undergraduate level.

    Understand and assess the social and economic context in which the provision of mental health care takes place.

    Evaluate and assess the rationale for mental health law and policy from a socio-legal perspective.

    Critically appraise the effectiveness of existing models of mental health law and policy.

    Syllabus
    1  Week 1: Welcome
    Week 2: History and theories of mental health law and policy
    Week 3: The Mental Health Acts and civil commitment
    Week 4: De-institutionalised care and guardianship
    Week 5: Treatment
    Week 6: Formative assignment
    Week 7: Mental disorder and criminal justice
    Week 8: Mental health and human rights
    Week 9: Mental health and risk (group presentations)
    Week 10: Mental Health Review Tribunals
    Week 11: The future of mental health law and policy
    Week 12: Assessment drop-in

    Teaching and Learning Strategies

    Seminar - Weekly 2-hour research- and student-led seminars examining the topics on the syllabus.

    Teaching Schedule
      Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
    Study Hours   24
    Weekly 2-hour research- and student-led seminars examining the topics on the syllabus.
    		        24
    Timetable (if known)              
    Private Study 176
    TOTAL HOURS 200

    Assessment
    EXAM Duration Timing
    (Semester)    		 % of
    final
    mark    		 Resit/resubmission
    opportunity    		 Penalty for late
    submission    		 Notes
                 
    CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
    (Semester)    		 % of
    final
    mark    		 Resit/resubmission
    opportunity    		 Penalty for late
    submission    		 Notes
    Coursework  5,000 words  Semester 2  100  Yes  Standard UoL penalty applies  Assessment 1 Notes (applying to all assessments) One assessed piece of coursework. Students will select a question from a choice of three. 5,000 words.  

    Recommended Texts
    Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.
    Explanation of Reading List:

    Other Staff Teaching on this Module
     

    Modules for which this module is a pre-requisite:
     

    Pre-requisites before taking this module (other modules and/or general educational/academic requirements):
    None  

    Co-requisite modules:
     

    Programme(s) (including Year of Study) to which this module is available on a required basis:
    None

    Programme(s) (including Year of Study) to which this module is available on an optional basis:
    Programme:LWEU Year:1/2 Programme:LWIL Year:1/2 Programme:LWIB Year:1/2 Programme:LWNP Year:1/2 Programme:LWMH Year:1/2

    Additional Programme Information