Madness and Music

Course Description

The “Mad” identity is a focus of interest in disability studies which seeks to question the dominant narrative of what modern society calls “mental illness”. This course will offer a new perspective of how culture and music can function as an expression of madness while providing paths to healing. We will explore the history of psychiatric patient activism, while also listening to the works of artists such as Nina Simone, Schumann, Sun Ra, and Iggy Pop.

Topics covered include:

• The historical timeline of Mad activism from the psychiatric patients’ liberation movement to the neurodiversity movement
• An introduction to the social model of disability
• How artists have used music as a tool of protest and societal disruption, with a special focus on jazz, punk, and hip hop.
• Mad sopranos: how madness is conveyed in opera
• How disability and music intersect and how disability arts has emerged as a new discipline
• The future of madness: how will our culture be shaped by current issues with mental health and the music industry?

Biography of Instructor

Donna Linklater is a singer, songwriter, music instructor, and mother who was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She studied opera at Brandon University, and then moved to Toronto where she worked as a personal support worker, nanny, early childhood music instructor, peer support worker, and performed regularly as a singer and songwriter. She has also organized performance events for Mad Pride Toronto and CMHA Toronto West. As a musician, she has recorded two albums and has also collaborated with authors Susan Swan and Dave Bidini.

Donna has a Bachelor of Music with a major in applied voice from Brandon University, an ECE diploma from George Brown College, and a Bachelor of Arts with a major in disability studies from Toronto Metropolitan University.

Dates and time                                                                   Location

Winter 2025 Term 1                                                                Axworthy Health and RecPlex

Mon Jan 6                               1:30 to 3:30 pm                      Multipurpose Room

Mon Jan 13                             1:30 to 3:30 pm                      Multipurpose Room

Mon Jan 20                             1:30 to 3:30 pm                      Multipurpose Room

Mon Jan 27                             1:30 to 3:30 pm                      Multipurpose Room

Mon Feb 3                               1:30 to 3:30 pm                      Multipurpose Room

Mon Feb 10                             1:30 to 3:30 pm                      Multipurpose Room

If you are experiencing difficulty with the online registration process, please call (204) 988-7650 to register by phone.

To learn more about the University of Winnipeg’s 55+ program, please click here.

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If you have any questions about this course, or would like to be added to a waitlist, please email b.doran@uwinnipeg.ca.