Mississippi College
Sociology 427AF4 Sociology of Medical and Health Care
Course Syllabus
Rick Parker-Ph.D., Texas Tech University
Course Credit: 3 hours
Course Prerequisites: None
Instructor: Rick Parker
Cell phone: 601-953-7060
Email: Parker10@mc.edu
Office Hours:
Monday, 8:00am-11:00am, Clinton campus, Department of Sociology,
2:00-4:30pm, ADP campus, Flowood
Wednesday, 8:00am-11:00am, Clinton campus, Department of Sociology
Thursday, 3:00pm-4:30pm, ADP campus, Flowood
The most effective methods of communicating with the instructor are in person before or after
class or by email.
Course Description
An analysis of human adaptation to illness and the sick role; the social organization of
healthcare; the socialization of healthcare professionals; patient-professional relationships; death
Course Textbook
Cockerham, W.C. (2012). Medical Sociology (12th edition). Boston, MA: Prentice Hall.
ISBN-13: 978-0-205-05418-3. Other readings may be assigned at the discretion of the
instructor.
Course Objectives
At the conclusion of this introductory course, students should be able to, through successful
performance in class discussions, group and individual activities, written examinations,
demonstrate appreciation for, and understanding of, the:
1. major theories and applications of medical sociology
2. health and illness in society including social stress and lifestyles
3. provisions of healthcare involving physicians and other healthcare providers, and including
Healthcare institutions
4. healthcare delivery systems, settings, and technologies in the U.S. and other selected countries
5. application of medical sociology to the everyday social functioning of individuals, families,
groups, organizations, communities, and/or societies.
Course Rationale
This upper level course is designed to introduce the student to the major concepts, trends, and
societal impacts of medical sociology upon society. The course focuses on the institution of
medical and health care as well as the effects of such upon individuals, families, groups,
organizations, and communities within society.
Method of Instruction
This course will use a variety of learning activities (e.g., class lectures and discussions, four
written examinations, reflective activities, videos, individual and group activities, chapter
quizzes, etc.) for students to be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills in the conduct of
medical sociology related to professional practice and personal experience.
Course Topics
Medical Sociology
Epidemiology
The Social Demography of Health: Social Class
The Social Demiography of Health: Gender, Age, and Race
Health Behavior and Lifestyles
Physicians
Midwives
The Sick Role
Doctor-Patient Interactions
The Physician in a Changing Society
The Hospital in Society
Social Stress and Health
Healing Options
Nurses, Physician Assistants, Pharmacists
Health Care Reform and Social Policy in the U.S.
Global Healthcare
Course Requirements
There will be four non-comprehensive chapter tests given during this semester. Test dates will
be tentatively announced on this syllabus. Each test will comprise 15% of the student’s final
grade. This means that the average of all 4 tests will compose 60% of your final grade.
Your final examination will be test 4; it will be scheduled on the final exam day of the MC
schedule.
Students will be given penalized for skipping class. If a student misses a class, then he or she
will lose 10 points off of his/her attendance average. Students must realize that they start
off with 100 points attendance average. A student can miss one class, unexcused, and still
have a “90” attendance average which is an “A” average. However, all absences are
counted “unexcused” except for absences that pertain to MC sporting/school events such as
basketball games, volleyball games, etc. These MC events are considered “excused”
absences. Basically, you can only miss one class “unexcused” and still have an “A”
attendance average. Students can only miss a certain number of classes according to
Mississippi College’s handbook. If a student misses more classes than the handbook
reports, then he or she automatically receives an “F” grade for this course. Please check
the M.C. handbook for the required number of absences that are allowed.
If a student is tardy, he or she gets counted tardy. Two tardies count as an absence. The
total number of tardies and absences will be combined together to figure a student’s overall
attendance grade. Keep in mind that the MC handbook only allows a certain number of
absences. If the total number of tardies plus absences exceeds the limit, then the student
will receive an “F” for this class.
The ADP classes only allow three absences; the fourth absence results in an automatic “F”
for this course.
There will be several in-class activities, reflective activities, video assignments, etc. These
assignments will compose 15% of a student’s final grade in the course. Most assignments
will be worth approximately 5 or 10 points, but some may be worth 20, 30, etc. Therefore,
students need to be in class in order to receive credit. If a student misses a class, it is his/her
responsibility to contact me, Rick Parker, in order to discuss the work missed for make-up credit.
My current cell phone number is (601) 953-7060; my email is Parker10@mc.edu. I am available
any time as I will be checking my email periodically Monday- Friday and Sunday. I prefer that
students send me e-mails, but if email is not working, then my cell phone is always handy.
All assignments need to be completed either during class or at the beginning of the following
class period. Late work will be docked 5 points if it is not turned in by the beginning of the
following class period. If a student does not turn in a classwork/homework assignment
two days after a class period, then he or she will not receive credit for the assignment.
Students are responsible for calling me, Rick Parker, or emailing me if they miss a
classwork/homework assignment. He or she must call or email me or call or email another
classmate in order to get a missed assignment. Rick Parker may email an assignment to a
student if possible. If not, then the student must discuss the assignment with me, Rick
Parker, in order to receive instructions about how to complete and make up a missed
assignment.
If a student does not call me or email me, Rick Parker, before two days elapse after a
missed class, then he or she will not receive credit for a missed classwork/homework
assignment. If a student can not understand directions or instructions from Rick Parker
through e-mail, the student must then call Rick Parker (601-953-7060) to work out an
arrangement in order to make up the assignment.
Students must understand that if they miss class, they must contact me ahead of time or on
the day that they miss to discuss the missed assignment. The missed assignment is due two
days after the missed class unless prior discussion and arrangements have been made with
Rick Parker, your instructor.
NO test scores will be dropped!! Attendance is 10% of your overall final average!!
Article Review Critique
Students are required to submit an article review critique of an article in Medical Sociology. The
article review has to be approved by me. Once approved, the article review will critique or
discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the Medical Sociology article. APA citations are
required for borrowed material. An APA Reference page is required also required. The article
review will be approximately 1.5 -2 pages in length, typed, double spaced, Times New Roman
font, 12. It must present a coherent critique of the article. The margins on the paper are 1” all
around. It is due on Thursday of the seventh week of class!! Students can email or give me a
paper copy of the article. I would strongly encourage students to begin writing at the beginning
to delay late papers. This paper will count 15% of your final grade! The article will count
approximately 16-20 points. A copy of the article review format will be discussed.
Make up Day for examinations
If a student misses a test/s, he or she can make it up on the last day of class. All makeup
examinations will be made up on the exam day.
Extra Credit
There will be no extra credit in this course. Please turn in your classwork/homework
assignments on time and attend class. Please realize that I do want and expect all students
to do well in my course. However, many students do not turn in homework/classwork
assignments on time. As a result, this places extra time/demands on me, yet it is your
responsibility to turn in your homework/classwork. Remember, you have to have all
assignments turned in on the day they are due!
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:
Mississippi College expects all students to be scrupulously honest. Plagiarism and other forms
of cheating will be dealt with in accordance with the policies of the university. Further details on
the school’s honesty policy are found in the undergraduate catalog, on the M.C. webpage, and in
the Office of Student Affairs.
OTHER COURSE INFORMATION
ATTENDANCE IS 10% OF YOUR OVERALL AVERAGE.
If a student is late to the class and is marked absent during roll-call, it is that student’s
responsibility to inform the instructor the he or she was in class; otherwise the absence will
remain on the roll. A student who is more than 15 minutes late to class will be considered absent.
Disability Services
Disabilities under the ADA are categorized as physical, mental, and learning
disabilities. In order for a student to receive disability accommodations under Section
504 of the Americans with Disabilities Act, he or she must schedule an individual
meeting with the Director of Student Counseling Services immediately upon
recognition of their disability (if their disability is known they must come in before
the semester begins or make an appointment immediately upon receipt of their syllabi
for the new semester). The student must bring with them written documentation from a
medical physician and/or licensed clinician that verifies their disability. If the student
has received prior accommodations, they must bring written documentation of those
accommodations (example Individualized Education Plan from the school
system). Documentation must be current (within 3 years). The student must meet
with SCS face-to face and also attend two (2) additional follow up meetings (one mid
semester before or after midterm examinations and the last one at the end of the
semester). Please note that the student may also schedule additional meetings as
needed for support through SCS as they work with their professor throughout the
semester. Note: Students must come in each semester to complete their
Individualized Accommodation Plan (example: MC student completes fall semester IAP
plan and even if student is a continuing student for the spring semester they must
come in again to complete their spring semester IAP plan).
Student Counseling Services is located in Alumni Hall Room #4 or they may be
contacted via email at christia@mc.edu or rward@mc.edu. You may also reach them by
phone at 601-925-7790.
Tentative Schedule of Topics, Tests, and Assignments
#Dates are subject to change but will be announced#
Date
Chapters
Week 1
1-2
Week 2
3-4 Exam 1, Quiz 1
Week 3
5-6
Week 4
7-8 Exam 2, Quiz 2
Week 5
9-10
Week 6
11-12 Exam 3, Quiz 3
Week 7
13-14
Week 8
Exam 4, Quiz 4