Medical Sociology

Catalog description

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. Equips students with the skills to understand health and illness through a sociological lens, preparing students to work in medicine, nursing and health-related fields by applying sociological perspectives and research to health and medical care; develops analytical thinking by exploring how social forces shape medicine and health behaviors, dives into social epidemiology and the factors that influence health outcomes; hones research skills by evaluating health distributions and policies in the U.S. while making global comparisons, emphasizing comparative analysis; sharpens communication skills by explaining complex ideas about healthcare delivery and institutions in everyday language. In line with the American Sociological Association, sociology is the study of social life, social change and the social causes and consequences of human behavior. Sociologists investigate the structure of groups, organizations and societies and how people interact within these contexts. Since all human behavior is social, the subject matter of sociology ranges from the intimate family to global communities; from deviance to organized crime; from religious traditions to state institutions; and from the divisions of race, gender and social class to the shared beliefs of a common culture. The specific topics and readings assigned may vary depending on the instructor’s areas of focus and research expertise. Prerequisite: SOCI 205 .