Medicalization of the Mind

3 Credits · Level: Undergraduate

Examines the history of psychology as it developed from sad dudes reasoning why they are sad to sad dudes using the scientific method to prove they are sad. In other words, this upper-level seminar will be pairing texts on psychological thought with literary texts in order to trace the intersections between the scientific, medical, and cultural discourses of the nineteenth century. In doing, we will consider the ways in which scientific and medical developments both inform and are informed by arts and culture. What was psychological thought used for? Who did it benefit? Who did it injure? How can we see these intersections between science/medicine and culture today? Some psychologists include: Alexander Bain, Wilhelm Wundt, Edward Titchener, and William James. Some authors include: Harriet Martineau, the Brownings, Tekahionwake/E. Pauline Johnson, and Henry James.