SOCI3107
Medical Sociology: The Sociology of Health and Illness
Offer semester
Lecture time
Lecture venue
Credits awarded
1st semester
Monday, Wednesday
16:00-17:50, 11:00-11:50
CPD-3.04
6
This course introduces students to the sociological study of health, illness, medicine, and health care. It examines how health is shaped not only by biology and individual behaviour but also by social class, status, stress, work, social relationships, neighbourhood conditions, institutions, and public policy. The course gives particular emphasis to the sociology of health inequalities and the social determinants of health, including the social gradient in health, psychosocial stress, status hierarchies, and life-course processes. Students will also explore illness experience, medicalization, doctor-patient interaction, and comparative health care systems.
explain key concepts and perspectives in the sociology of health and illness;
analyze how social class, status, stress, work, and life-course factors shape health inequalities;
apply sociological concepts to illness narratives, health practices, and everyday experiences of care;
critically assess the social organization of medicine and health care, including medicalization and doctor-patient relations;
communicate sociological arguments about health and illness clearly in tutorials, written work, and supervised assessments.
Tasks
Weighting
Class participation
20%
Illness/Health Memoir with Oral Component
30%
Examination
50%
Core textbook
Cockerham, William C. 2022. Medical Sociology. 15th ed. New York: Routledge.
Indicative supplementary readings
Marmot, Michael. Status Syndrome: How Social Standing Affects Our Health and Longevity.
Link, Bruce G., and Jo Phelan. “Social Conditions as Fundamental Causes of Disease.”
Thoits, Peggy A. “Stress and Health: Major Findings and Policy Implications.”
Umberson, Debra, and Jennifer Karas Montez. “Social Relationships and Health.”
Wilkinson, Richard, and Kate Pickett. Selections on inequality and health.
Offer Semester | Lecture Day | Lecture Time | Venue | Credits awarded |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1st semester | Monday, Wednesday | 16:00-17:50, 11:00-11:50 | CPD-3.04 | 6 |
