SCY3282

Sociology of health and illness

Proposed to be offered next in 1999

Bernard Daly

8 points
* 3 hours per week
* Peninsula
* Prerequisites: First-year SCY sequence or equivalent

Objectives On completion of this subject students should have developed an appreciation of the various theoretical approaches to the study of the sociology of health and illness and an ability to apply these approaches to contemporary issues in health, illness and health care; acquired a familiarity with the social structure of health care in Australian society; obtained an appreciation of the existence and explanations for inequalities in health status; developed a critical awareness of the political sociology of health care in both macro and micro contexts.

Synopsis Theoretical approaches in the sociology of health and illness. The social structure of health care. Inequalities and health. The political sociology of health care. The body- health, illness and healing. Health care and social control. Medical technology. The sociology of death and dying. Bioethics and the sociology of health and illness.

Assessment One essay (2500 words): 40%
* One investigative report (2500 words): 40%
* Tutorial paper and presentation (1000 words): 20%