This module investigates the sociological dimensions of health and illness. It looks at changing concepts of health and wellbeing; the social context and consequences of illness; the lived experience of ill health and disability; the rise and expansion of medicine as a major social institution in contemporary societies; and the organisation and delivery of healthcare in formal and informal settings. In addition to exploring the roles of and relationship between patients, professionals and policymakers, the influence of broader interest groups such as the media, science and technology and the transnational pharmaceutical industry will also be considered. Substantive topics include medicalisation and the social construction of illness; citizenship, welfare and health; medicine as an institution of social control; the politics of disability; new medical technologies and the ‘cyborg’ body; the lived experience of chronic illness; and global health issues.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the module students should be able to:
Identify and critically assess major conceptual developments and debates in the sociology of health and illness
Describe and comment on the influence of sociological factors in the definition, causation and response to ill health and disability
Demonstrate awareness of different perspectives on the role, function and influence of medicine and healthcare in contemporary societies
Understand and appraise the contested nature of health, illness, the body and medical knowledge
Assessment
25073-02 : 5000 Word Essay : Coursework (100%)
Assessment Methods & Exceptions
Assessments: 5,000 word essay
Reassessment: N/A
Other
This module will be delivered by HSMC but administered by POLSIS.