Related Course/s:

Aims & Objectives:

• To understand both the materialist and social-constructionist theories of health and illness.
• To gain insight from epidemiological research on the unequal distribution of health, illness and death in Australia.
• To appreciate the value of examining Australian health policy and health care system in a global context.
• To describe the social production of unhealthy bodies and develop interpretations of the nature of connections among mind, body and society.
• To evaluate the social context of ideas and experiences of health and illness.
• To understand the major recent shifts and trends in health policy and in the provision and management of health care services in Australia and elsewhere.
• To critically evaluate the impact of policy changes on health care delivery in hospitals and in the community.
• To examine social and cultural factors in the medical system's treatment of sick persons.
• To understand the political economy of health care in Australia.

• An understanding and critical awareness of policy issues in the health care system.
• An ability to review major theoretical and ideological approaches to health policy.
• An understanding of the impact of social, political and economic factors on health and the development and implementation of health policy.
• An ability to contextualise individual health problems in a broader social framework.

Teaching Methods:

One lecture (1.5 hours) and one tutorial (1.5 hours)

Assessment:

Major essay 40%, Examination 50%, Tutorial participation 10%

Generic Skills Outcomes:

Students are expected to develop a number of graduate attributes. These developments should result in graduates who are:

• Capable in their chosen professional areas
• Entrepreneurial in contributing to innovation and development within their business, workplace or community
• Able to operate effectively and ethically in work and community situations
• Adaptable and able to manage change
• Aware of local and international environments.

• Research skills
• Logical and critical thinking skills
• Thinking in theoretical terms
• Awareness of personal and ethical values
• Written communication skills
• Attention to detail
• Competence in using the library and other information sources
• Public speaking skills
• Teamwork skills
• Ability to elicit information from others
• Planning skills
• Time management skills.

Content:

This unit will give students a framework for the analysis of health, health care systems and health policy. It introduces students to different sociological perspectives as well as to the meaning of social action, the experience of illness and the importance of understanding that health and illness may be as much the result of social processes as of biological ones. The social relations of health care are examined, with a particular focus on health care as it occurs in community organisations. The unit also covers an introduction to epidemiology and the measurement of mortality and morbidity, as well as occupational health and safety, and the debates surrounding deinstitutionalization. It examines the technological imperative of modern medicine and the moral and ethical issues arising from the use of advance technology. The unit will also provide a brief overview of the political economy of health care in Australia.

Reading Materials:

Freund, PES & McGuire, MB, Health Illness and the Social Body: A Critical Sociology, Prentice Hall: Upper Saddle River, New Jersey, 1999.