Medical Sociology

Catalog description

Medical Sociology. Three semester hours. This course will examine research and theory on the changing concepts of health, illness and medical practice as well as place these understandings in socio-historical and comparative context. Topics will include: social epidemiology, the social construction of health/illness, the experience of illness, health professions, alternative medicine and the health care system. Emphasis on how social factors such as gender, race, social class and sexual preference affect both illness and health care. The course will be applicable for students in sociology, criminal justice, social work, and psychology. This course contributes 3 credit hours toward students' fulfillment of degree requirements. There is no lab or prerequisite for this course.