Description

As reported in several national studies (‘Student mental wellbeing in higher education. Good practice guide, Universities UK, MWBHE, 2015’; ‘Poppy Brown, The invisible problem? Improving students’ mental health, HEPI Report 88, 2016’; ‘10 steps to address the student mental health crisis’, etc.), we are observing a crisis, which is growing each year, in student mental health and wellbeing in the UK universities, including the University of Warwick.

The main aim of this module is therefore to engage students to look at a global, timely and relevant topic such as wellbeing in its complexity, discovering the potential of an interdisciplinary approach to the matter.

The module will analyse the concept of wellbeing from the perspective of several disciplines (Biomedical disciplines, Sociology, Economics and Arts & Humanities) and will help students to understand the complexity of this crucial topic and the relevance of a holistic approach in order to solve the issues related to it.

Structure

Weekly topics

In general, the first part of the session will be a lecture given by the subject expert with the second part being a workshop, led by the module leader(s) together with the disciplinary expert, to facilitate the learning experience of the students.

1. Module introduction (Sarah Ashworth and Elena Riva – no additional guest lecturer): the session will cover (a) the scaffolding themes of the module, i.e. measuring and monitoring wellbeing, factors that influence wellbeing, interventions to promote wellbeing, (b) student’s personal experiences and reflections, (c) module’s organisation, learning outcomes and assessment, (d) students that desire, will have the opportunity to use the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (WEMWBS) for positively assessing their wellbeing.

2. Introduction to Wellbeing (Professor Sarah Stewart-Brown, WMS): Sarah will introduce students to the different perspectives on wellbeing favoured by the different disciplines and discuss the way these influence the measurement of wellbeing, research methodologies and approaches to improving wellbeing at the personal and population levels.

3. The Biology of Wellbeing (Sarah Ashworth and Elena Riva – no additional guest lecturer): In this session we will explore how individual genetic differences may impact on wellbeing and how an understanding of these differences may provide the blueprint for ensuring optimal wellbeing. In the second half of the session, we will consider what we can each do as individuals to enrich the environment and thus maximise our own wellbeing and maximise our capacity to fulfil our own innate potential.

6. Economics of wellbeing (Professor Nattavudh Powdthavee, WBS): In this session, we will explore whether money buys happiness (and if not, why not?). We will also explore what matters more to our wellbeing between economics and non-economics factors, and how we could spend our money wisely to boost wellbeing.

5. Wellbeing and Failure (Dr Jonathan Heron, IATL): This session will take the form of a participatory workshop which will enable students to reflect upon issues of mental and physical health in relation to the interdisciplinary subject of failure. We will consider critiques of the wellbeing agenda and challenge conventional narratives of success and wellness. Case studies will draw upon the creative arts as well as medical and social models of disability in order to consider ‘failing better’ as a strategy for wellbeing.

6. Self-maintenance (Sarah Ashworth and Elena Riva – no additional guest lecturer): In this session we will explore some of the challenges of maintaining wellbeing in modern westernised society and consider some of the evidence based strategies for optimal wellbeing. In the second half of the session, students will be involved in ‘out of the classroom’ activities that will allow them to discover and reflect on the relationships between the theories presented by Sarah and the daily life on campus (i.e. visit to a campus canteen/café).

7. Mindfulness (Dean Howes, CLL): Following an initial experiential practice, the theoretical underpinnings of modern mindfulness will be introduced. This will then lead to a deeper exploration of how mindfulness can support and cultivate wellbeing and the different meditative and “in-the-moment” practices available. Learner reflection and personal application will be encouraged throughout the session.

8. Sport and wellbeing (Jina Tanton, Wellbeing and Health Coordinator, Warwick Sport): In this session, students will explore the role of sport and physical activity in relation to wellbeing. Before analysing the theoretical underpinning, students will take part in a simple mood rating task before and after participating in an ‘out of the classroom’ ‘mindful’ physical activity (i.e. Yoga and/or Tai Chi) and a higher intensity physical activity (i.e. circuits, boxercise). Students will use this experience to reflect on the immediate and short-term impact of physical activity on mood and the role of regular physical activity for promoting wellbeing and the relationships between wellbeing and physical activity, exercise and sport.

9. Practicing Wellbeing (Sally Tissington, CLL): Sally will help students to analyse and reflect on the significant role that arts (i.e. literature, music, dance and performance) can play in physical and mental wellbeing. At the beginning of the session, students will be directly involved in a practical workshop that will help them to understand this particular relationship while also reflecting on their personal experience.

10. Module recap (Sarah Ashworth and Elena Riva, Professor Sarah Stewart-Brown, WMS): It will be an interactive lecture that students will find useful as a recap for their learning process. There will be space for delivering feedback to students (including peer-feedback) and for self-reflecting on the learning journey. Sarah Stewart-Brown will be present at this final session and support students in their reflective practice.
Students that desire, will have the opportunity to use again the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (WEMWBS) for positively assessing their wellbeing at the end of the course.

Assessment

1- 1500 (15 CATS) word academic writing piece OR 2-4 minute video plus 400 word commentary. Traditional style essays, as well as essays that reflect scientific writing (i.e. scientific article style), will be welcome. (50%)

1000 (12 CATS) word academic writing piece OR 2-4 minute video plus 300 word commentary. Traditional style essays, as well as essays that reflect scientific writing (i.e. scientific article style), will be welcome. (50%)

2- Student Devised Assessment (SDA). Form of assessment method designed by you with the full support of the tutor whereby you will create a piece of work (an article, a short film, a talk, a play, a workshop, a painting, a podcast and so on) that offers a solution to a controversial topic or a question that has arisen during the module. You will be free to select your preferred topic/question and subsequently, you will undertake your own research utilising the methodologies and the holistic approach presented throughout the course. You must demonstrate and communicate the theories presented in the module in your piece. You will be given full tutor support both when planning your devised assessment and when bringing it to fruition. This will include some one-on-one time with a module tutor. (15 and 12 CATS; 50%)

 

Module Convenors

Dr Elena Riva

E dot Riva at warwick dot ac dot uk

Sarah Ashworth
(Head of Mental Health & Wellbeing Support Services)

Sarah dot Ashworth at warwick dot ac dot uk

When

Term 1 (Autumn) 2018-19
Thursdays 10.00-12.00
 

Where

Humanities Studio (H076, Humanities Building)

Assessment

For 15 CATS

1) Student Devised Assessment (50%)
2) 1500 word academic writing piece
OR
2-4 minute video plus 400 word commentary (50%)

The deadline for the submission of both the assessments is: 21st of January 2019 at noon

For 12 CATS

1) Student Devised Assessment (50%)
2) 1000 word academic writing piece
OR
2-4 minute video plus 300 word commentary (50%)

The deadline for the submission of both the assessments is: 21st of January 2019 at noon