Sociology of Health and Illness unit (HGA339)

Introduction

This unit applies a critical sociological perspective to health, illness and medicine. Each year the unit will use topical examples to explore 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. Recent examples include vaccination, breastfeeding, alternative medicine, wellness influencers, professionalisation among allied health practitioners and political debates about private health insurance. This unit is highly relevant for students interested in health and social policy related areas. The unit objectives are: (1) to familiarise students with key health related sociological theories and empirical research; (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.

Summary

Unit name	Sociology of Health and Illness
Unit code	HGA339
Credit points	12.5
College/School	Arts and Society Humanities and Social Sciences
Discipline	Sociology and Criminology
Coordinator	Doctor Emily Hansen
Available as an elective?	Yes
Delivered By	University of Tasmania
Level	Advanced

Availability

Specific information on 2027 unit availability will be available in August

Learning Outcomes

• Explain key concepts, debates and theoretical approaches relating to the sociology of health and illness.
• Apply relevant sociological theories and empirical research findings to contemporary health and illness issues in a Tasmanian, national and international context.
• Evaluate sociological approaches and research and articulate your own position on key debates about health and illness.
• Communicate your ideas in written and oral forms, using appropriate sociological language and concepts.

Fee Information

2027 fee information will be available in August.

Requisites

Prerequisites

25 credit points at Introductory level or higher or admission into A1C - Diploma of Creative Arts and Health

Teaching

Teaching Pattern	On Campus: Weekly online lectures or equivalent (1.5 hours) and weekly tutorial (2 hours), and weekly participation in discussion boards. Off Campus: Weekly online lectures or equivalent (1.5 hours) and weekly participation in discussion boards and online tutorial (1 hour).
Assessment	Participation (15%)|Short Report (20%)|Conceptual Analysis Task (30%)|Recorded Presentation (35%)
Timetable	View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required	The textbook is Germov, J. (2019) (ed) Second Opinion: An Introduction to Health Sociology, 6th edition, South Melbourne: Oxford University Press. Additional required readings will be provided by the Unit Coordinator.
Recommended	Details provided on Mylo site and in library reading list.

The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.