James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2002

SY3010:04

Sociology of Health and Medicine

Townsville, Cairns

HECS Band 1

26 hours lectures, 24 hours tutorials. Semester 2.

Staff: Dr J Coughlan.

Subject content as for SY2010.

Learning Objectives:

  1. demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the ways in which health, illness and inequalities in health status are socially constructed;
  2. describe and analyse in detail the relationships between health professionals, patients/consumers, governments, business and other interest groups;
  3. distinguish between and use in a competent sociological manner, various social theories as they are applied to the analysis of health and health care systems;
  4. apply a critical sociological approach to assessment of current issues in the health area.

Assessment by essay/assignment (30%); tutorial presentation/assignment (20%); examination (50%).