MCCCD Program Description

The Sociology of Health and Illness

Course: SOC270

First Term: 2023 Fall

Lecture 3.0 Credit(s) 3.0 Period(s) 3.0 Load
Subject Type: Academic
Load Formula: S - Standard Load

Description: The scientific study of the social patterns and social factors (e.g., class, race, gender, religion, ethnicity, kinship networks, marriage, educational status, age, place, and cultural practices) that influence health. The roles of health care providers and patients, various modalities of treatment, prevention and access, and the history, current status, future trends in medicine and medical technology, and complementary health care approaches from a cross-cultural and global sociological perspective.

MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Apply sociological perspectives and methods in the study of health issues in human societies using a global perspective. (I) 2. Assess the impact of social factors and inequalities as determinants of human health status from selected parts of the world. (II) 3. Describe the social statuses associated with health care systems, institutions and organizations in the developed and developing world, and describe the social roles associated with these statuses. (II, V, VI) 4. Describe local understandings and cultural beliefs for preventive measures and cure-seeking behavior in cross-cultural and global contexts. (II, V, VI) 5. Explain the history, current status, and future trends in health care delivery and medical technology in the U.S. (III, V) 6. Compare, and contrast various health care and prevention modalities used in various cultures. (IV, V)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.

MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. Introduction A. Explain how disease, illness and health are social constructions B. Identify the sociological variables influencing health status C. Compare the science-based model of health care with traditional and alternative health care models D. Examine health, illness, and care access in developing nations E. Examine the role of sociological theory in the study of health, illness, and health care II. Health care institution A. U.S. health care system model B. Canadian health care system model C. Other selected global models and developed nations D. Education and training of practitioners E. Problems facing the U.S. health care system F. World Health Organization G. Government agencies and non-government organizations (NGO) H. United Nations’ affiliated programs I. Public health schools III. Institutionalization of medicine A. Flexner Report B. The 19th Century "marriage" of science and medicine C. Medicalization D. Medical dominance E. Hospitals and nursing homes F. Mental illness 1. Institutionalization 2. Deinstitutionalization G. Health care technology IV. Health care and prevention modalities A. Home care and hospice B. Prescription drugs C. Vaccines D. Surgery E. Exercise (e.g. aerobics, weight lifting, Yoga, Chi Kung, meditation) F. Homeopathy G. Herbology H. Chiropractics I. Acupuncture and acupressure J. Diet and nutrition K. Cultural humility in health care L. Other selected health care and prevention modalities V. Re-imagining Health Systems A. Health promotion B. Environmental sustainability C. Public health planning D. Equity, empowerment, and access VI. Health demographics A. Age B. Gender C. Race D. Sex

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: February 28, 2023

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.