Madness to Mental Health

Who you callin’ crazy? How do we respond to those whose mental states diverge from the norm, and how do we tell stories about them? Starting with Greek tragedy, working our way through Shakespeare, and ending with student-chosen modern texts, we’ll explore the history of mental illness in Western literature. We’ll examine the language used to talk about mental health, how it has evolved, and how depictions differ across time and culture. Projects will involve options ranging from creative writing to psychology research, giving students opportunities to explore topics of interest to them within mental health narratives.

This class will have a particular focus on the skills of reading, analytical writing, and creative writing.

• Interests: Debate, Health, Psychology, Reading, Wellness, Writing
• Grades: 11th, 12th
• Subjects: English