SOCIOLOGY of HEALTH and ILLNESS
SOCI 3120.001 Spring 2008
T/TH. 8:00-9:20 am BIOL 304
Instructor: Melissa Gosdin
Email: mgosdin@pacs.unt.edu
Office Hours: T/TH 9:30-11:00 (or by appt.)
Office Location: Chilton Hall, 204F
“…the well should take care of the sick”.
-Paul Farmer
Required Text
Weitz, Rose (2007). The Sociology of Health, Illness, and Health Care: A Critical Approach 4th
edition. Thomson Wadsworth.
Course Description
This course will examine the social construction of health and illness and specific ways in which
every member of society is impacted by the healthcare system. A critical approach will be used to
analyze problems associated with the healthcare system as well as barriers to good health,
specifically among certain populations. Applying a sociological imagination to a variety of health
related topics such as: health behavior, social stress, the physician-patient relationship, health care
delivery, complementary and alternative medicine, etc. will be emphasized.
Course Objectives
The main objective of this course is to provide students with an understanding of medical
sociology including the social factors that influence health and health care in the United States.
To gain an understanding of health and illness by employing sociological concepts. By the end of
the course students should be able to:
 To think critically about health and illness.
 Identify social barriers as they affect both access and quality to care among different
groups.
 Understand the consequences of poor health.
 Apply social theory to the study of health and illness.
Course Grading
Exam 1
Exam 2
Exam 3
In Class Assignment
Final Grade
A
90-100%
B
80-89%
C
70-79%
D
60-69%
F
Below 60%
25%
25%
25%
25%
Exams
There will be three exams in this course. They will encompass all of the readings (including
occasional articles) lectures, class discussion, films, guest speaker presentations, etc. Class
lectures will include material not found in the textbook. Please know that ALL material presented
in class has a reasonable chance of appearing on the exams. Exams will most likely be a
combination of multiple choice and essay type questions.
1
Make-Up Exams
Absolutely NO make-up exams!! Only in cases of university approved absences (i.e., school
sponsored events or religious holidays). If a student is forced to miss class and has a university
approved excuse he or she must notify the instructor in advance.
In Class Writing Assignment
The in class writing assignment will constitute 25% of your grade. You will be given 3-4
questions ahead of time and will be asked to answer one of them during class time on the
assigned day. Students are expected to utilize critical thinking skills while applying knowledge
gained throughout the semester.
2/14
3/17 – 3/23
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER
Exam 1
Spring Break!
4/1
Exam 2
4/15
In Class Writing Assignment
5/6
Final Exam @ 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Cheating, Plagiarism and Academic Honesty
Cheating will NOT be tolerated! The work you turn in must be your own original work. Any form
of academic dishonesty will result in a grade of zero.
Disability Accommodations
If you believe you have a disability requiring accommodation, please see the instructor within the
first week of class and necessary arrangements will be made with the Office of Disability
Accommodation.
Class Courtesy
Class discussions are encouraged!! Each student brings a unique perspective to the class that
everyone can all learn from. During class turn all electronic devices on silent. Do not text
message or listen to MP3 players during class as it can be disruptive. If students use theses
devices during class time, you will be asked to leave immediately. Do not read newspapers,
magazines, books for other classes, or other materials during class. Walking into class late should
be avoided but if you are late enter the room and take your seat quietly. Also, it is important to
note that some subject matters in this course contain sensitive material. Please respect your fellow
classmates and their ideas. Class discussions are encouraged!! Each student brings a unique
perspective to the class that everyone can all learn from.
2
TENTATIVE COURSE SCHEDULE
 The following tentative class schedule lists the topics and chapters we will cover with
their corresponding weeks. As the course develops, it may be necessary to make minor
adjustments in the schedule and it is your responsibility to stay abreast of any changes
made.
WEEK
TOPICS and IMPORTANT DATES
CHAPTER(S)
1
1/15-1/17
2
1/22-1/24
3
1/29-1/31
4
2/5-2/7
5
2/12-2/14
Introduction to course and Overview of the field
1
The Social Sources of Illness
2
Social Distribution of Illness in the United States
3
Illness in the Developing Nations
4
6
2/19-2/21
7
2/26-2/28
8
3/4-3/6
9
3/11-3/13
10
3/18-3/20
11
3/25-3/27
12
4/1-4/3
13
4/8-4/10
14
4/15-4/17
15
4/22-4/24
16
4/29-5/1
17
5/6
Review for Exam 1 Tuesday 2/12
EXAM 1 Thursday 2/14
The Social Meanings of Illness
5
The Experience of Disability, Chronic Pain and Chronic
Illness
The Sociology of Mental Illness
6
The U.S. Health Care System and the Need for Reform
8
7
SPRING BREAK!!!
Alternative Health Care Systems
Review for Exam 2 Thursday 3/27
EXAM 2 Tuesday 4/1
Health Care Settings and Technologies
The Profession of Medicine
In class Writing Assignment Thursday 4/15
Other Mainstream and Alternative Health Care Providers
Issues in Bioethics
Semester Wrap-up/Review for Final Exam
FINAL EXAM
May 6th (Tuesday)
8:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m.
3
9
10
11
12
13