6 EC
Semester 2, period 4, 5
5512HUMH6Y
| Owner | IIS honoursprogramma |
| Coordinator | dr. Rixt van der Veen |
| Part of | Instituut voor Interdisciplinaire Studies (algemeen), honoursvakken, year 1IIS honoursprogramma, |
Urban living is on the rise: more than 50 percent of the world’s population currently lives in urban areas, a proportion that is expected to rise to 66 percent by 2050. Urban environments are characterised by features that make city life not only economically attractive and exciting, but also more challenging and stressful than rural environments (‘urban stress’), which influences mental health. The Centre for Urban Mental Health aims to unravel new pathways to improve urban mental health, that considers the full complexities and dynamics of mental health problems and mental health disorders in an urban environment.
In this honours course, we will explore the broad topic of mental health in an urban context and demonstrate why a complexity science approach is warranted to promote the scientific advancement of this field. Secondly, we will explore several urban factors and their interplay with various aspects of mental health. Third, we will provide examples of interdisciplinary approaches that will help better understand urban mental health.
This course will be taught using the Problem Based Learning approach, an interactive way of learning based on problems identified by the group.Throughout the course, students are encouraged to integrate and debate previously unconnected theories and sources. These discussions should identify new leverage points for interventions and policy making. Students are encouraged to develop their own questions or urban challenges and approaches to resolve them.
Lectures from a range of interdisciplinary scientists are provided (social sciences, natural sciences, complexity science and medicine). Multiple task-driven projects are given to students, who will receive an individual grade at the end of the course.
Scheme : study load (in hours) divided per course component:
|
Component |
Hour |
|
Attendance of sessions/lectures |
22.5 |
|
Reading materials / self-study |
80 |
|
Preparing presentations |
35 |
|
Writing research report |
30.5 |
|
Total |
168 |
(6 EC x 28 uur)
| Item and weight | Details |
|
Final grade |
A prerequisite for obtaining a grade/participation in the final assignment is attendance and active participation during the Thursday sessions. Students will each individually present a paper/topic in PechaKucha style and work in interdisciplinary groups together on a Research Proposal including a final presentation.
PechaKucha:
Each student will give an individual presentation on a selected paper/topic in PechKucha style (20 slides, 20 seconds per slide). The presentation will be focused on a specific research paper chosen from optional literature provided by one of the expert speakers. Students will be assigned a presentation date during the first lesson.
Research Proposal and Presentation:
In designated groups of approximately 4 students, a research proposal will be developed, written and ultimately presented. The proposal should apply knowledge gained in the course to a self-chosen urban mental health problem. This problem can be inspired by the obligatory and suggested literature or from small group discussions.
The presentations will take place on the 7th and 14th of April.
Scheme Examination
|
Component |
Deadline |
Weight |
Minimum grade |
Compensable |
Resit |
Feedback |
|
Individual assignment presented by PechaKucha*
|
Individual date will be assigned |
35% |
5 |
NA |
Yes |
Will be provided after presentation |
|
Research proposal (30% of grade) and presentation (20% of grade). Within teams, tasks will be divided by team members. |
End of course, see specific dates for presentation on schedule. |
50% |
5 |
NA |
Yes |
Will be provided in written format and group discussion after presentations |
|
Active participation |
During sessions and within team |
15% |
5 |
NA |
NA |
Will be provided by tutors and team members |
*Please note: If due to unforeseen circumstances, a student is unable to do the presentation, the alternative assignment will be an individual reflection on the topic of urban mental health by writing a 1000-word essay on a self-identified problem found in one of the papers from the reading list. The deadline for this essay will be the 7th of April.
The 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' applies to this course. This will be monitored carefully. Upon suspicion of fraud or plagiarism the Examinations Board of the programme will be informed. For the 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' see: www.student.uva.nl
Nine sessions of 2,5 hours each are planned between February 10th - April 14th (generally between 17:00-19:30). The group will consist of max. 25 students.
Planning
February 10th : Introduction problem-based learning (Reinout Wiers)
February 17th : Introduction Urban mental health- Complexity (Claudi Bockting)
February 24th : Karien Stronks
March 3rd : Christian Bröer
March 10th : Rixt van der Veen
March 17th : Paul Lucassen
March 24th : Johan Bollen
April 7th: Student presentations
April 14th: Student presentations
General format of a class (except 1st introductory session):
|
Pre-discussion on expert topic |
|
|
Expert lecture and Q&A |
|
|
Discussion for following class
|
|
*Students will read papers provided by the expert at home and bring their thoughts on the learning objectives to class.
** 2 students/session will read and present on an additional paper related to the expert topic.
Check www.datanose.nl for location and timeslots.
The schedule for this course is published on DataNose.
In order to provide students some insight how we use the feedback of student evaluations to enhance the quality of education, we decided to include the table below in all course guides.
| Course Name (#EC) | N | |
| Strengths | Notes for improvement |
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| Response lecturer: |
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