Synopsis

This unit looks at the history of institutions in the twentieth century, starting with a case study of Lennox Castle Hospital. It tries to make sense of the history of Lennox Castle, and of institutional life in general, through testimony of those who experienced institutions as inmates and as nurses, as well as through Erving Goffman's medel of the 'total institution'. It examines the social bases of segragation, the professionalisation of staff in asylums and institutions, and campaigns for change in the treatment of those segragated from society in institutions.

Table of Contents

Introduction
Learning outcomes
1.1 Finding out about Lennox Castle
1.2 Explaining what we find out
1.3 Regulations on visiting patients in Lennox Castle, c.1950
1.4 On being an insider and a researcher
2.1 Institutions and segregation
2.2 1 Social Darwinism and eugenics
2.2.2 Treatment regimes
2.2.4 Activity: segregation today
2.2.5 The emergence of asylum professionals
2.2.6 Skills for the attendants
2.2.7 Resistance to institutions
2.2.8 Campaigns for change
2.2.9 Professionalisation
2.2.10 Civil liberties campaigns
2.2.11 Scandals, treatments and cost saving
2.2.12 Activity: living through change
Next steps
References
Acknowledgements

 

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