Module Specification
An online version of this specification is available to prospective students at
http://www.lshtm.ac.uk/study/currentstudents/studentinformation/msc_module_handbook/section3_moduledescript/index.ht
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GENERAL INFORMATION
Module name
Sociological Approaches to Health
Module code
1803
Module Organisers
Nicki Thorogood and Neil Spicer
Contact email
Nicki.Thorogood@lshtm.ac.uk or Neil.Spicer@lshtm.ac.uk
Home Faculty
Faculty of Public Health & Policy
Level
This module is at Level 7 (postgraduate Masters ‘M’ level) of the QAA
Framework for Higher Education Qualifications in England, Wales & Northern
Ireland (FHEQ).
Credit
LSHTM award 15 credits on successful completion of this module.
Accreditation
Not currently accredited by any other body.
Keywords
Social theory; knowledge production; health inequalities; social and cultural
influences on health; equity; gender & health; sociology (including sociocultural aspects).
AIMS, OBJECTIVES AND AUDIENCE
Overall aim
To introduce students to sociological perspectives on health, involving the
theoretical and empirical study of social and cultural structures and processes
that influence health and illness.
Intended learning
outcomes
By the end of this module, students should be able to:
 Demonstrate an understanding of key concepts in sociology as applied to
the study of health and illness;
 Apply these concepts at an empirical level;
 Demonstrate a critical awareness of the main conceptual, theoretical and
methodological issues raised by research in the sociology of health.
Target audience
This module is intended for students on all MScs, particularly those with
interests in social and cultural influences on health.
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CONTENT
Session content
The module is expected to include sessions addressing the following topics
(though please note that these may be subject to change):
 The critical appraisal of how ‘knowledge’ is produced: an introduction to
discourse and semiotic analysis and its application to current issues for
public health;
 The social production of health and ill health: Historical overview of
relationships between social organisation and health. Biomedicine and
critiques. How social, cultural and psychological processes impact on health
status and access to health services. Understanding the concept of mental
health and illness;
 Examining inequalities in health: Examination of the research which links
social factors such as social class, ethnicity, gender and disability to
differential health outcomes. The role of social support and ‘social capital’.
Conceptual and methodological debates about the literature;
 Medicine, risk and society: Medicalisation and the role of medicine in
society. Conceptions of risk and risk behaviour.
TEACHING, LEARNING AND ASSESSMENT
Study resources
provided or required
A Module Handbook including reading lists and a copy of key readings will be
provided.
Teaching and learning
methods
Nine sessions provide overviews of the material listed above. These are
generally lectures by subject area specialists followed by seminars in which
students are encouraged to discuss and explore their own views, ideas and
responses to the case studies from the topics covered. Two sessions are run as
a whole group workshop on discourse and semiotic analysis.
There are also several documentary films shown to support the topics being
discussed. The remainder of the time will be spent in private study. Students
will be expected to read and discuss relatively large volumes of material. The
private study time must therefore be considered an integral part of the module.
Assessment details
Formal assessment is by an individual essay of 1,500 words. One question to
be selected from a list of questions based on the lecture/seminar topics.
For students who are required to re-sit, or granted a deferral or new attempt,
the task will be to submit a 1,500 word essay taking (in the case of resubmissions or re-sits) a different question from the same list.
Assessment dates
Assessments will be due by midday of the final day of the module.
For students who are required to re-sit, or granted a deferral or new attempt,
the next assessment deadline will be the standard School-recommended date.
Language of study and
assessment
English (please see ‘English language requirements’ below regarding the
standard required for entry).
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TIMING AND MODE OF STUDY
Duration
The module runs for 5 weeks at 2.5 days per week; this module runs between
Monday morning and Wednesday lunchtime.
Dates
For 2015-15, the module will start on Monday 11 January 2016 and finish on
Wednesday 10 February 2016.
Timetable slot
The module runs in LSHTM timetable slot C1.
Mode of Study
The module is taught face-to-face in London. Both full-time and part-time
students follow the same schedule. For full-time students, other LSHTM
modules are available in the other half of the week for the C and D slots.
Learning time
The notional learning time for the module totals 150 hours, consisting of:




Contact time ≈ 30 hours
Directed self-study ≈ 30 hours
Self-directed learning ≈ 40 hours
Assessment, review and revision ≈ 50 hours.
APPLICATION, ADMISSION AND FEES
Pre-requisites
It is desirable, but not essential, that students should have taken the Principles
of Social Research (1104) module or be able to demonstrate equivalent
knowledge.
English language
requirements
A strong command of the English language is necessary to benefit from
studying the module. Applicants whose first language is not English or whose
prior university studies have not been conducted wholly in English must fulfil
LSHTM’s English language requirements, with an acceptable score in an
approved test taken in the two years prior to entry. Applicants may be asked to
take a test even if the standard conditions have been met.
Student numbers
Student numbers are typically 15 - 25 per year; numbers may be capped due to
limitations in facilities or staffing.
Student selection
Preference will be given to LSHTM MSc students and LSHTM research degree
students. Other applicants meeting the entry criteria will usually be offered a
place in the order applications are received, until any cap on numbers is
reached. Applicants may be placed on a waiting list and given priority the next
time the module is run.
Partial Registration (partial participation) by LSHTM research degree students
is allowed for this module.
Fees
For registered LSHTM MSc students, fees for the module are included within
MSc fees (given on individual course prospectus pages).
If registering specifically for this module, as a stand-alone short course,
individual module fees will apply.
Tuition fees must be paid in full before commencing the module, or by any fee
deadline set by the Registry.
Scholarships
Scholarships are not available for individual modules. Some potential sources
of funding are detailed on the LSHTM website.
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Admission deadlines
For 2015-16:

For registered LSHTM MSc students, the module choice deadline (for Term
2 and 3 modules) is Friday 20 November 2015.

If registering specifically for this module, applications may be made at any
time but, as places are limited, early application is recommended. All
applications should be submitted by, at latest, 8 weeks prior to the start of
the module. Formal registration will take place on the morning of the first
day of the module.
ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT
This module specification applies for the academic year 2015-16
Last revised: 23 June 2014 by Nicki Thorogood and Neil Spicer. Minor amendments SB 20th July 15
London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel St., London WC1E 7HT.
www.lshtm.ac.uk
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