The History of Mental Health and Neuropsychology in Paris

Level 6 Psychology students enrolled on PSYC3066 Cognitive Neuropsychology, PSYC3020 Counselling Psychology, or PSYC3037 Clinical Psychology are eligible to participate on this opportunity. There is a maximum of 23 places available, with a minimum of 15 participants required for this opportunity to take place. Students are recommended to check the eligibility criteria before applying.

Trip description

How does your brain work? How can injury or abnormal brain development impact the functioning of the brain? What is mental health and how have psychologists and doctors studied mental health? How has the concept of mental health changed over the past 200 years?

Paris contains key exhibits connected with the history of brain science and this opportunity aims to help enhance the global perspective of Level 6 Psychology students and help understand the development of mental health research and neuropsychology through the 19th and 20th centuries by visiting museums and universities containing specimens related to medicine and psychology.

On this trip students will have the opportunity to see the tools of medicine and real human brains, and will be able to explore the relationship between brain structure and function at the Musée d’Histoire de la Médecine. The trip will be of interest to students investigating the development of mental health and the history of medicine and neuropsychology, and will include the opportunity to see some of the famous sites in Paris such as the Louvre museum that contains paintings related to the history of medicine. The Louvre also contains works by Guiseppe Arcimboldo which have been used to illustrate the differences between local and global processing of scenes in different categories of patients. The trip will also visit the Musée d’Orsay containing paintings related to mental health and describing the journey from normal brain function to severe mental health impairment. Students will also visit the Musée de l’Orangerie with paintings by Monet designed to promote wellbeing for the citizens of Paris.

The estimated total cost for travel, accommodation and transfers for this trip to Paris is £425. Students will be expected to pay the remaining amount after the £200 DMU Global bursary is deducted from the total.

Why take part?

This is a fantastic opportunity for students to travel to Paris and be immersed in a different culture. Students will be able to see key exhibits relevant to psychology and talk to experts in their field about the history of medicine and how psychology developed. Students will develop skills of team work, problem solving and critical thinking.

Learning objectives

Participating in a DMU Global opportunity can help you develop a range of employability skills and competencies that enhance your studies. The objectives of this trip to Paris are:

Before the trip all students will have the opportunity to read research papers that discuss the development of neuropsychology and mental health over the past 200 years. Students will also be able to see videos showing exhibits that those on the trip will examine in person.

Cultural activities

Paris is a city of culture where students can visit popular attractions, such as; the world famous Eiffel Tower and the residence of the former Kings of France, Le Palais de Versailles. There will be a visit to the Basilica of Sacré Coeur de Montmartre and the group will walk along the Champs-Élysées from the Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe.