Sociology of Health and Illness

• • Studying health and illness sociologically
  • The social production and distribution of health and illness
  • Gender and health
  • Social class and health
  • Experiencing health and illness
  • Health and healthism
  • Lay knowledge and practices
  • Chronic illness and disability
  • The social organisation of healthcare
  • CAM
  • Hospitals and public health
  • Healthcare spending and systems

No eligibility requirements

Special requirements

No special requirements

Health and illness are culturally salient topics in contemporary Australia. This subject provides a sociological analysis of a number of important issues and debates from the sociology of health and illness. The subject identifies and analyses a range of issues, such as expert and public knowledges about health and illness, the social distribution and patterning of health and illness, inequalities in health, experiences of health and illness, the health professions and the politics of health care. The subject objectives are:

1. To familiarise students with key sociological theories and empirical research on health and illness;
2. To introduce students to contemporary sociological debates about health and illness; and
3. To develop the skills of critical sociological analysis as applied to health and illness.

• Reflective piece (30%)
• Essay (40%)
• Exam (30%)