From Hysteria to Hashtags: The Cultural History of Madness
The historical coincidence of the birth of psychiatry occurring alongside the invention of photography has resulted in an ongoing, multifaceted relationship between media and mental illness. This course traces shifting conceptions and representations of mental illness from the 19th century through the present. By examining a wide-range of objects, we will explore how media has historically shaped clinical definitions, public understandings, and self-narrations of mental illness. We will also discuss how these representations intersect with discourses of capitalism, nationalism, gender, and race. Objects discussed include I Love Lucy (1951-1957), Marnie (1964), Homeland (2011-2020), Euphoria (2019-2026), and more.
Your Instructor
PhD in Media Studies
Northwestern University
I am a media scholar and cultural historian whose research focuses on the cultural history of psychiatry. I hold two PhDs (Northwestern University and Université Sorbonne Nouvelle) and previously worked in the film industry in New York, London, and Shanghai. I now live in Paris, where I am a lecturer at the Institut Catholique de Paris.
What you'll learn
Learn the history of psychiatry's relationship with Hollywood
Learn to recognize recurring visual and narrative cues used to represent mental illness on screen
Get an introduction to concepts like "cultural idioms of distress"
Understand how capitalism, nationalism, gender, and race intersect with representations of mental health/illness
Course Schedule
In our first week, we discuss the nineteenth century visual blueprint for feminized mental distress and the popularity of psychoanalysis during the Golden Age of Hollywood. Objects discussed include Iconographie photographique de la Salpêtrière (1876–1880), The Snake Pit (1948), and Marnie (1964).
What You Get
Live interactive sessions
Engage in real-time discussions with expert instructors
Small discussion groups
Up to 15 students for personalized attention
Session recordings
Review and revisit class content anytime
Dedicated platform
Track progress and organize your schedule
Frequently asked questions
Course-specific questions
Your Instructor
PhD in Media Studies
Northwestern University
I am a media scholar and cultural historian whose research focuses on the cultural history of psychiatry. I hold two PhDs (Northwestern University and Université Sorbonne Nouvelle) and previously worked in the film industry in New York, London, and Shanghai. I now live in Paris, where I am a lecturer at the Institut Catholique de Paris.