SOCI 491: Sociology of Health and Illness
University of Montana- Department of Sociology
Contact Information:
Instructor: Amy Lommen
Office: Social Sciences 306
Office Hours: by appointment
Email: amy.lommen@umontana.edu
What is Sociology of Health and Illness? Sociology of Health and Illness
(Medical Sociology) is a branch of sociology that is committed to analyzing patterns of
disease and illness, health- and illness- related behaviors, the health care professions,
and the health care system. Essentially, it looks at how the social environment affects
these aspects of our health.
Required Materials:
Weiss and Lonnquist- The Sociology of Health, Healing, and Illness 8th Edition
ISBN-13: 978-0-13-380387-7
Purchase viewing rights for video- “Unnatural Causes” on Vimeo, 1.99 for 1 week (when
assigned) OR come to viewing in Social Sciences Building (TBA)
Course Requirements:

Weekly Content: Will be posted weekly on Moodle, as well as in your syllabus. You will have
readings from your assigned Weiss and Lonnquist book, as well as articles, Ted talks, and videos…

Weekly Discussion: You will need to make an initial post in response to the weekly prompt
no later than Wednesday by 8pm. You will then have until Sunday night pm to make at least two
comments to classmate’s posts.

Weekly Journal: A weekly journal is due each Friday night by 8pm. It is a reflection of what
you have learned in your own words from the readings, the discussions, and any additional
journals or videos assigned for that week. It should be between 300-500 words, with no
deduction if you feel compelled to write more. (Please note, I don’t expect formal references for
the journals, you may reference by simply stating something like “in the video about…, in the De
Maio book, in the Lommen article”… blah blah blah. I want this to be a place where you can
write your thoughts and responses to the material without feeling judged.

Final Paper: You will choose a book (with Instructor permission) to write a report on. This
paper should give the reader a good idea of the contents of the book, and highlight what part of
the course pertains to the book. The book needs to be of sociological content, and address a
topic in the field of medical sociology; or sociology of health and illness. The final paper will be
double spaced, 12 pt. font, times new roman, and 2-3 pages in length.

Exams: This course consists of four parts. There will be four essay exams for the semester.
They are not cumulative.
Total Points:
Weekly Discussion:
Journals:
Exams (4):
Final Paper:
10 points per week
10 points per week
40 points each
100 points
Total Points:
550 points
Grading Policy:
Final grades will be based on a percentage of total possible points.
A
= 90% of total points
B
= 80-89%
C
= 70-79%
D
= 60-69%
F
= below 60%
Tentative Schedule
As the semester unfolds, changes may be made to the syllabus. It is your responsibility to get up to date
information by checking Moodle multiple times during the week. If I change dates related to
assignments or exams, I will never move a date forward, only later than the original date. I also reserve
the right to cancel assignments as I see fit- so total points for the semester can change as a result.
Week 1- 8/31-9/4
Topic- Introduction to Sociology of Health and Illness
Discussion MaterialsWeiss & Lonnquist; Chapter 1- A Brief Introduction to the Sociology of Health, Healing, and Illness
American Sociological Association (ASA) homepage: http://www.asanet.org
Sociosite: Sociology of Health: http://sociosite.net/topics/health.php
AssignmentsDiscussion- Introductory post and two comments to other students
Journal- Discuss topics within Sociology of Health and Illness that interest you, and a possible topic for
your book report/final paper.
Week 2- 9/7-9/11
Topic- History of Medicine
Discussion MaterialsWeiss & Lonnquist; Chapter 2- The Development of Scientific Medicine
Article- Flexner Report 100 Years Later
AssignmentsDiscussion- Initial post and two comments to other students
Journal-Reflection of topics within the history of medicine
Week 3- 9/14-9/18
Topic- Social Epidemiology
Discussion MaterialsWeiss & Lonnquist; Chapter 3- Social Epidemiology
De Maio- Understanding Global Health
AssignmentsDiscussion- Initial post and two comments to other students
Journal-Reflection of topics within social epidemiology
Week 4- 9/21-9/25
Topic- Socioeconomic and Racial Variations in Health and Illness
Discussion MaterialsWeiss & Lonnquist; Chapter 4- Society, Disease, and Illness
American Indian Health Disparities
Videos- "Unnatural Causes- In Sickness and In Wealth” https://vimeo.com/search?q=unnatural+causes
A Gardener’s Tale- Camara Jones
AssignmentsDiscussion- Initial post and two comments to other students
Journal-Reflection of topics within SES and Racial Variations
*EXAM 1 due by Monday 28th by 8pm
Week 5- 9/27-10/1
Topic- Social Stress
Discussion MaterialsWeiss & Lonnquist; Chapter 5- Social Stress
Thoits- Stress, Coping, and Social Support Processes: Where are We? What Next?
Videos: Stress: Portrait of a Killer
Kelly McGonigal: How to Make Stress Your Friend
AssignmentsDiscussion- Initial post and two comments to other students
Journal-Reflection of topics within social stress
Week 6- 10/5-10/9
Topic- Health Behavior
Discussion MaterialsWeiss & Lonnquist; Chapter 6- Health Behavior
AssignmentsDiscussion- Initial post and two comments to other students
Journal-Reflection of topics within health behaviors
Week 7- 10/12-10/16
Topic- Experiencing Disease and Illness
Discussion MaterialsWeiss & Lonnquist; Chapter 7- Experiencing Illness and Disability
Radley- The Aesthetics of Illness: Narrative, Horror, and the Sublime
Conrad- Medicalization and Social Control
AssignmentsDiscussion- Initial post and two comments to other students
Journal-Reflection of topics within experience of disease and disability
*EXAM 2 due by Monday 19th 8pm
Week 8- 10/19-10/22
Topic- Education, Socialization, and Physician-Patient Relationships
Discussion MaterialsWeiss & Lonnquist; Chapter 9- Medical Education and the Socialization of Physicians
Wald- Professional Identification Formation
AssignmentsDiscussion- Initial post and two comments to other students
Journal-Reflection of topics within education and socialization of physicians
Week 9- 10/26-10/29
Topic- Physician-Patient Interactions
Discussion MaterialsWeiss & Lonnquist; Chapter 12- The Physician-Patient Relationship: Background and Models
Hardley- Doctor in the House: Internet as a Source of Lay Health Knowledge and the Challenge to Expertise
AssignmentsDiscussion- Initial post and two comments to other students
Journal-Reflection of topics within physician-patient relationships
Week 10- 11/2-11/6
Topic – Ethical Considerations
Discussion MaterialsWeiss and Lonnquist; Chapter 13- Professional and Ethical Obligations of Physicians in the P-R Relationship
AssignmentsDiscussion- Initial post and two comments to other students
Journal-Reflection of topics within ethical considerations
Week 11- 11/9-11/13
Theme- Health Care Providers
Discussion MaterialsWeiss and Lonnquist; Chapter 10- Nurses, Mid-level Health Care Practitioners, Allied Health Care Workers
Porter- Women in a Women’s Job
Campbell-Heider and Pollock- Barriers to Physician-Nurse Collegiality
AssignmentsDiscussion- Initial post and two comments to other students
Journal-Reflection of topics within health care providers
*EXAM 3 due by 8pm on Monday 16th
Week 12- 11/16-11/20
Theme- Health Care System in the United States
Discussion MaterialsVideo- "Sick Around America"
Weiss & Lonnquist; Chapter 14- The Healthcare System of the United States
Secombe and Amey- Playing by the Rules and Losing
AssignmentsDiscussion- Initial post and two comments to other students
Journal-Reflection of topics within the US Healthcare System
Week 13- 11/23-11/25
Topic- Health Care Technology
Discussion MaterialsWeiss & Lonnquist; Chapter 16- The Social Implications of Advanced Health Care Technology
AssignmentsDiscussion- NONE this week… think of all the things you are thankful for (like no discussion)!
Journal- Reflection of the topics within health care technology
Week 14- 11/30-12/4
Topic- Comparative Health Care Systems
Discussion MaterialsWeiss & Lonnquist; Chapter 17- Comparative Health Care Systems
AssignmentsDiscussion- Initial post and two comments to other students
Journal-Reflection of topics comparing health care systems
Week 15- 12/7-12/11
Topic- Alternative Medicines
Discussion MaterialsWeiss & Lonnquist; Chapter 11- Complementary and Alternative Medicines
AssignmentsDiscussion- Initial post and two comments to other students
Journal-Reflection of topics comparing health care systems
Finals Week
*EXAM 4 due Monday 14th by 8pm
General Information:
UNIVERSITY REQUIRED STATEMENT:
“All students must practice academic honesty. Academic misconduct is subject to an academic penalty
by the course instructor and/or a disciplinary sanction by the University.”
All students need to be familiar with the Student Conduct Code. The Code is available for review online
at http://www.umt.edu/SA/VPSA/index.cfm/page/132
FOR COMPLETE ACADEMIC POLICIES PLEASE VIEW THE UM CATALOG.