| CODE | SWB1000 | ||||||||
| TITLE | The Arts for Health and Wellbeing | ||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 01 - Year 1 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | ||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Faculty for Social Wellbeing | ||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | The arts help meet challenges in health and social concern associated with aging, loneliness, social integration, long-term conditions and mental health. Participation in the creative arts can bring joy, restore self-confidence, improve mental and physical wellbeing and contribute to the improvement of the quality of life for people. An aging population and rising levels of depression and anxiety in youth, the elderly, foreign nationals, and people with disability generate significant challenges for Malta and internationally. Research is demonstrating ways in which music, visual arts, theatre and other creative arts can contribute to addressing these challenges. The study of The Arts for Health and Wellbeing is characterised by an investigation of a wide range of human experiences that occur in different contexts. In recent years there has been an increasing number of academic contributions to the understanding of the arts and wellbeing. In this study unit, we will examine various aspects of aesthetic experiences which include fine art, photography, film, literature, theatre, dance and music which affect the fundamental sense of self and the response to the outside world. One finds conceptual-theoretical and applied levels of inquiry. Studies on the evolution of aesthetic sensibilities are identified and shed light on the environmental pressures of humans. Study-unit Aims: • Develop students’ understanding of the Arts, Health and Wellbeing; • Develop an understanding of the theoretical and conceptual issues of the Arts and their impact on society; • Develop students’ aptitude for study and research in The Arts, Health and Wellbeing which includes, the history, effective oral and written skills; • Encourage active participation in class discussions and critical evaluation of the material presented during the lectures; • Encourage students’ participation in different forms of assessment. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding By the end of the studyunit, the student will be able to: • learn about and define the relationship between Health, Wellbeing and the Arts; • demonstrate an understanding of wellbeing and therapeutic capabilities of different arts including their health-related qualities, practical applications and research activities; • acquire skills which are necessary to plan and carry out practice and research based projects associated with arts for wellbeing; • describe the creative process and experience of the Arts and how artists and audiences interact, and the relationship between cultural engagement and wellbeing. 2. Skills By the end of the studyunit, the student will be able to: • look critically at the range of psychoanalytic approaches for understanding the therapeutic aspects of the arts benefit health and wellbeing; • apply key texts from the theoretical issues of the arts and wellbeing (visual arts, music and film) to discussions on participatory arts practices focused on community wellbeing. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main texts: - Daykin, N. (2019). Arts, Health and Well-Being: A Critical Perspective on Research, Policy and Practice. Rutledge. - Clift, S., & Camic, P. M. (2017). Arts, Health, and Wellbeing: A Theoretical Inquiry for Practice. Cambridge Scholars Publishing. - Neilsen, P., & Escudé, M. (2015). Creative Arts in Counseling and Mental Health. SAGE Publications, Inc. - The Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon. (2003). The Arts & Health Handbook: A Practical Guide. https://www.artsandhealth.ie/assets/uploads/2022/04/The-arts-health-handbook-a-practical-guide.pdf - All-Party Parliamentary Group on Arts, Health and Wellbeing Inquiry Report. (2017). Creative Health: The Arts for Health and Wellbeing. The House of Commons or the House of Lords, UK. https://www.culturehealthandwellbeing.org.uk/appg-inquiry/Publications/Creative_Health_Inquiry_Report_2017_-_Second_Edition.pdf Supplementary Texts: - Costache, I. The Art of Understanding Art. (2012). Wiley-Blackwell. - Cefai, C., Laganà, L. (2016). Psychology and the Arts: Perceptions and Perspectives, Malta University Publishing. |
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| RULES/CONDITIONS | While TAKING THIS UNIT YOU MUST TAKE SWB1001 | ||||||||
| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture | ||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Louis Lagana |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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