91Ö±²¥

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Module description

The sociology of health and illness involves studying how society is structured by looking at the patterns of relationships that have existed over and above individuals.

In this respect, it looks at how health is distributed as a consequence of how people are related to each other in a number of ways. This involves looking at how for example social class and gender relations result in varying patterns and experiences of health.

The sociology of health and illness module goes well beyond this, however. In this module, you will also undertake a journey to study social organisation.

We will be exploring how our very ideas about health can be controlled and manipulated, and how these ideas are historically located.

Beyond this sociology is also the study of what things mean to people. A large part of the sociology of health and illness involves understanding how people relate to each other both rationally and emotionally through what things mean for them.

We will explore how the meaning of health can shape encounters with various health professionals including doctors, health promoters, dentists and various different therapists.

The module does not require any prior knowledge of sociology and is structured for students who are not from a social science background. However, we do welcome students from a range of disciplinary backgrounds.

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Objectives

The module aims to

• develop a critical awareness of the sociology of health and illness including its relevance to health policy;
• introduce key themes of the sociology of health and illness;
• assemble key debates and discussions within the sociology of health and illness relevant to key components of public health;
• evaluate and assess core aspects of the sociology of health and illness relevant to public health;
• explore one application of the sociology of health and illness to public health in depth.

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Teaching

This module can also be taken as part of the following courses:

This module consists of 12 sessions, each consisting of a two-hour discussion forum. These will introduce key concepts and theories, and identify foundational assumptions and substantive ideas. We will also be seeking to illustrate the application of these assumptions and ideas to problems in public health.

The sessions will focus on developing students’ ability to

• employ sociological arguments
• interact through the medium of sociology
• assemble and organize sociological approaches to a problem
• encouraging the acceptance of different perspectives on a problem to expose hidden points of meaning
• challenging our perspectives and taken-for-granted assumptions about a problem or area
• criticising both public health policy and sociological perspectives on health and illness

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Fees and funding

You can find out more about fees and funding for CPD modules in the School of Medicine and Population Health at the link below. We accept sponsored as well as self-funding students.

Fees and funding information

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How to apply

Find out what you need to do to apply for a CPD module in the School of Medicine and Population Health.

Apply for this module

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Contact

For more information on this module, speak to the lead academics: