166-091 Medicine, Health and Illness

Formerly available as 166-267/367. Students who have completed 166-267/367 are not eligible to enrol in this subject.

Usually a first-year subject in Sociology, Political Science or related fields.

This subject examines how medical knowledge, practice, and technology, as well as individual and group experiences of health and illness, are socially shaped and organised. The subject begins with analyses of the medical profession, of medical education, and of medical-state relations. The subject then considers the social experience of health and illness in terms of relations including gender, race, ethnicity, sexuality and class, with specific reference to HIV/AIDS and other case studies. Attention will then be turned to technological and scientific developments in medicine, and their role in the social construction of medicine and of medical practice. Of particular interest here will be developments in organ transplantation and cloning, and the strategies of the global biomedical and biotechnology industries. Students should complete the subject with a sociological understanding of the social, political and cultural dimensions of medicine, health and illness and have gained experience in sociological research methods.

• demonstrate critical thinking and analytic skills, through research and written communication;

• be able to communicate knowledge intelligibly and economically, both orally and in writing;

• display awareness and understanding of the social, ethical and cultural contexts of health and illness, and of our place as researchers.

A written response paper of 1000 words 25% (due in the first half of semester), a take-home exam of 1000 words 25% (due mid-semester), and a written essay of 2000 words 50% (due during the examination period).

• C Grbich, Health in Australia. (3rd ed) Pearson 2004.