Undergraduate - UnitHSC2022 - Culture, society and health

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Synopsis

This unit will explore how individual and population experiences of health are shaped by culture and society. The unit draws on key sociological and anthropological theories and concepts to reveal explanations for health in respect of larger socio-cultural realities and political processes. Students will be encouraged to foster skills in critical deconstruction of Western representations of culture to arrive at an appreciation of various 'ways of knowing', including Indigenous scholarship. There will be a focus on global health and in particular, Indigenous people, place, culture and health.

Outcomes

By the completion of this unit, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Apply key principles of sociological and anthropological thought to the lived experience of individuals and populations
2. Demonstrate a sound understanding of the themes associated with the sociological imagination
3. Demonstrate an understanding of colonialism and its impact on health
4. Demonstrate an understanding of the politics of health
5. Critically examine and evaluate aspects of culture and society with which they are familiar (as well as historical representations) in order to extend their understanding of the socio-cultural structures, institutions and processes relevant to health globally

Assessment

Formative: Individual journal
Summative: Sociological analysis (20%); Social profile (30%); Group presentation (10%); Theoretical essay (40%)

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Charles Livingstone

Contact hours

12 hours per week including contact time (1x1 hour lecture 1x2 hour tutorial / workshop) and private study (9 hours), averaged over the 12 week semester - a total of 156 hours

Prerequisites

Must have passed one of HSC1081, HSC1082 or HSC1112