SOCI 491: Sociology of Health and Illness
University of Montana- Department of Sociology
Contact Information:
Instructor: Amy Lommen
Office: Social Sciences 306
Office Hours: by appointment
Email:
Required Materials:
Weiss and Lonnquist- The Sociology of Health, Healing, and Illness 8th Edition
ISBN-13: 978-0-13-380387-7
Purchase viewing rights for video- “Unnatural Causes” on Vimeo, 1.99 for 1 week (when assigned) OR come to viewing in Social Sciences Building (TBA)
Course Requirements:
Weekly Content:Will be posted weekly on Moodle, as well as in your syllabus. You will have readings from your assigned Weiss and Lonnquist book, as well as articles, Ted talks, and videos…
Weekly Discussion: You will need to make an initial post in response to the weekly prompt no later than Wednesday by 8pm. You will then have until Sunday night pm to make at least two comments to classmate’s posts.
Weekly Journal: A weekly journal is due each Friday night by 8pm. It is a reflection of what you have learned in your own words from the readings, the discussions, and any additional journals or videos assigned for that week. It should be between 300-500 words, with no deduction if you feel compelled to write more. (Please note, I don’t expect formal references for the journals, you may reference by simply stating something like “in the video about…, in the De Maio book, in the Lommen article”… blah blah blah. I want this to be a place where you can write your thoughts and responses to the material without feeling judged.
Final Paper: You will choose a book (with Instructor permission) to write a report on. This paper should give the reader a good idea of the contents of the book, and highlight what part of the course pertains to the book. The book needs to be of sociological content, and address a topic in the field of medical sociology; or sociology of health and illness. The final paper will be double spaced, 12 pt. font, times new roman, and 2-3 pages in length.
Exams: This course consists of four parts. There will be four essay exams for the semester. They are not cumulative.
Total Points:
Weekly Discussion:10 points per week
Journals:10 points per week
Exams (4):40 points each
Final Paper:100 points
Total Points: 550 points
Grading Policy:
Final grades will be based on a percentage of total possible points.
A= 90% of total points
B= 80-89%
C= 70-79%
D= 60-69%
F= below 60%
Tentative Schedule
As the semester unfolds, changes may be made to the syllabus. It is your responsibility to get up to date information by checking Moodle multiple times during the week. If I change dates related to assignments or exams, I will never move a date forward, only later than the original date. I also reserve the right to cancel assignments as I see fit- so total points for the semester can change as a result.
Week 1- 8/31-9/4
Topic- Introduction to Sociology of Health and Illness
Discussion Materials-
Weiss & Lonnquist; Chapter 1- A Brief Introduction to the Sociology of Health, Healing, and Illness
American Sociological Association (ASA) homepage:
Sociosite: Sociology of Health:
Assignments-
Discussion- Introductory post and two comments to other students
Journal- Discuss topics within Sociology of Health and Illness that interest you, and a possible topic for your book report/final paper.
Week 2- 9/7-9/11
Topic- History of Medicine
Discussion Materials-
Weiss & Lonnquist; Chapter 2- The Development of Scientific Medicine
Article- Flexner Report 100 Years Later
Assignments-
Discussion- Initial post and two comments to other students
Journal-Reflection of topics within the history of medicine
Week 3- 9/14-9/18
Topic- Social Epidemiology
Discussion Materials-
Weiss & Lonnquist; Chapter 3- Social Epidemiology
De Maio- Understanding Global Health
Assignments-
Discussion- Initial post and two comments to other students
Journal-Reflection of topics within social epidemiology
Week 4- 9/21-9/25
Topic- Socioeconomic and Racial Variations in Health and Illness
Discussion Materials-
Weiss & Lonnquist; Chapter 4- Society, Disease, and Illness
American Indian Health Disparities
Videos- "Unnatural Causes- In Sickness and In Wealth”
A Gardener’s Tale- Camara Jones
Assignments-
Discussion- Initial post and two comments to other students
Journal-Reflection of topics within SES and Racial Variations
*EXAM 1 due by Monday 28thby 8pm
Week 5- 9/27-10/1
Topic- Social Stress
Discussion Materials-
Weiss & Lonnquist; Chapter 5- Social Stress
Thoits- Stress, Coping, and Social Support Processes: Where are We? What Next?
Videos: Stress: Portrait of a Killer
Kelly McGonigal: How to Make Stress Your Friend
Assignments-
Discussion- Initial post and two comments to other students
Journal-Reflection of topics within social stress
Week 6- 10/5-10/9
Topic- Health Behavior
Discussion Materials-
Weiss & Lonnquist; Chapter 6- Health Behavior
Assignments-
Discussion- Initial post and two comments to other students
Journal-Reflection of topics within health behaviors
Week 7- 10/12-10/16
Topic-Experiencing Disease and Illness
Discussion Materials-
Weiss & Lonnquist; Chapter 7- Experiencing Illness and Disability
Radley- The Aesthetics of Illness: Narrative, Horror, and the Sublime
Conrad- Medicalization and Social Control
Assignments-
Discussion- Initial post and two comments to other students
Journal-Reflection of topics within experience of disease and disability
*EXAM 2 due by Monday 19th 8pm
Week 8- 10/19-10/22
Topic- Education, Socialization, and Physician-Patient Relationships
Discussion Materials-
Weiss & Lonnquist; Chapter 9- Medical Education and the Socialization of Physicians
Wald- Professional Identification Formation
Assignments-
Discussion- Initial post and two comments to other students
Journal-Reflection of topics within education and socialization of physicians
Week 9- 10/26-10/29
Topic- Physician-Patient Interactions
Discussion Materials-
Weiss & Lonnquist; Chapter 12- The Physician-Patient Relationship: Background and Models
Hardley- Doctor in the House: Internet as a Source of Lay Health Knowledge and the Challenge to Expertise
Assignments-
Discussion- Initial post and two comments to other students
Journal-Reflection of topics within physician-patient relationships
Week 10- 11/2-11/6
Topic –Ethical Considerations
Discussion Materials-
Weiss and Lonnquist; Chapter 13- Professional and Ethical Obligations of Physicians in the P-R Relationship
Assignments-
Discussion- Initial post and two comments to other students
Journal-Reflection of topics within ethical considerations
Week 11- 11/9-11/13
Theme- Health Care Providers
Discussion Materials-
Weiss and Lonnquist; Chapter 10- Nurses, Mid-level Health Care Practitioners, Allied Health Care Workers
Porter- Women in a Women’s Job
Campbell-Heider and Pollock- Barriers to Physician-Nurse Collegiality
Assignments-
Discussion- Initial post and two comments to other students
Journal-Reflection of topics within health care providers
*EXAM 3 due by 8pm on Monday 16th
Week 12- 11/16-11/20
Theme- Health Care System in the United States
Discussion Materials-
Video- "Sick Around America"
Weiss & Lonnquist; Chapter 14- The Healthcare System of the United States
Secombe and Amey- Playing by the Rules and Losing
Assignments-
Discussion- Initial post and two comments to other students
Journal-Reflection of topics within the US Healthcare System
Week 13- 11/23-11/25
Topic- Health Care Technology
Discussion Materials-
Weiss & Lonnquist; Chapter 16- The Social Implications of Advanced Health Care Technology
Assignments-
Discussion- NONE this week… think of all the things you are thankful for (like no discussion)!
Journal- Reflection of the topics within health care technology
Week 14- 11/30-12/4
Topic- Comparative Health Care Systems
Discussion Materials-
Weiss & Lonnquist; Chapter 17- Comparative Health Care Systems
Assignments-
Discussion- Initial post and two comments to other students
Journal-Reflection of topics comparing health care systems
Week 15- 12/7-12/11
Topic- Alternative Medicines
Discussion Materials-
Weiss & Lonnquist; Chapter 11- Complementary and Alternative Medicines
Assignments-
Discussion- Initial post and two comments to other students
Journal-Reflection of topics comparing health care systems
Finals Week
*EXAM 4 due Monday 14th by 8pm
General Information:
UNIVERSITY REQUIRED STATEMENT:
“All students must practice academic honesty. Academic misconduct is subject to an academic penalty by the course instructor and/or a disciplinary sanction by the University.”
All students need to be familiar with the Student Conduct Code. The Code is available for review online at
FOR COMPLETE ACADEMIC POLICIES PLEASE VIEW THE UM CATALOG.