Sociology of Health & Illness
ASSIGNMENT GUIDANCE
ESSAY TITLE – due 29th March 12 noon, 3000 words
“A critical discussion of the sociology of health and illness of…”
The assessment encourages students to direct their learning towards a specific topic they have interest in, feel passionate about and/or have experience of.
Could be a “critical discussion” of a physical or mental illness e.g.
PHYSICAL
Cancer (of various types)
Heart Disease & Strokes (of various types)
Arthritis (of various types)
Diabetes (Types I & II)
Lung & Breathing problems
Epilepsy
MENTAL
Schizophrenia
Bi-Polar Disorder
Depression
Anxiety
Suicide
Self-Harm
Eating Disorders
Dementia
3
Could be a “critical discussion” of a DISABILITY
PHYSICAL
Sight
Hearing
Mobility (e.g. Paraplegia)
MENTAL
Down’s Syndrome
Cerebral Palsy
Autism
Dyselxia
4
The distinction between PHYSICAL or MENTAL
The distinction is not always clear-cut:
People with physical illnesses sometimes become depressed because of their illness
People with mental illness can develop physical side-effects of treatment (e.g. with anti-psychotic medication)
With some illnesses it’s not clear whether they should be classified as physical or mental e.g. CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROMES (sometimes called Myalgic Encephalomyelitis ME)
5
The “critical discussion” could also be of a more general sociological theme e.g.
The SICK ROLE
Whether the NHS is “in crisis”
Whether there is a “crisis” in mental health services
Ethnic minority health
Health in other countries
– As long as you agree the theme with me, it’s OK!
The BLACKBOARD material is organised in 4 themes of the sociology of health and illness
its social determinants (including health inequalities);
the experience of illness;
its organisation in terms of health and social care;
its relationship to political activism, social movements and pressure groups.
1. SOCIAL DETERMINANTS may include
DESCRIPTIONS of:
SOCIAL CLASS
AGE
GENDER
ETHNICITY
SEXUALITY
8
1. SOCIAL Determinants may include:
CRITICAL DISCUSSIONS of relevant THEORY related to:
HEALTH INEQUALITIES & SOCIAL CLASS
The SOCIAL GRADIENT
RACISM
SEXISM
POWER
MEDICAL & SOCIAL MODELS
9
2. ORGANISATION of Health & Social Care may include:
DESCRIPTIONS of:
NHS organisations such as the NATIONAL INSTITUTE of HEALTH & CLINICAL EXCELLENCE (NICE)
Comparisons with other health care systems (eg. USA)
Elements of GLOBALISATION including the role of the WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION (WHO)
10
2. ORGANISATION of Health & Social Care may include:
CRITICAL DISCUSSIONS of relevant THEORY related to:
RISK
SURVEILLANCE
BUREAUCRACY
11
3. The EXPERIENCE of illness may include:
DESCRIPTIONS of:
Individuals experiences of illness through written accounts, websites, any material in the public domain
Individual experiences as given in academic texts
Your own personal experience
Cultural representations including cinema, TV and art
12
3. The EXPERIENCE of illness may include:
CRITICAL DISCUSSIONS of relevant THEORY related to:
The sociology of the BODY:
– FEMINISM
– GOFFMAN
– FOUCAULT
13
3. The EXPERIENCE of illness may include
CRITICAL DISCUSSIONS of relevant THEORY related to:
The SICK ROLE
CHRONIC ILLNESS & BIOGRAPHY
ILLNESS NARRATIVES
STIGMA
14
4. POLITICAL ACTIVISM & SOCIAL MOVEMENTS may include:
DESCRIPTIONS of:
Government policies and arguments about them
The power of the medical profession and how it is resisted
Relevant social movements, pressure groups and their activism and beliefs
Relevant websites are useful for describing all of the above
Aspects of GLOBALISATION
Disability & Human Rights
15
4. POLITICAL ACTIVISM & SOCIAL MOVEMENTS may include:
CRITICAL DISCUSSIONS of relevant THEORY:
Definitions of Social Movements & Pressure Groups
Identity Politics & Intersectionality
Marxism
Feminism
Disability & Human Rights
16
Key Resources: electronically available text books
17
Key Resources: electronically available textbooks
18
Key Resources: electronically available textbooks
Try to include references from at least 2 of these text books
19
Key Resources: Blackboard
Learning Materials has folders on all four themes consisting of:
1. Lecture slideshows
2. Readings from academic journals
3. Links to relevant websites
The slideshows provide an overview to topics; the readings and websites include material that can be quoted and referenced in your assignment
20
Key Resources: Your Independent Research
Because you will focus upon one health condition, disability or issue you should do some independent research on it through Google and Google Scholar. Through this you will find:
Academic articles via Google Scholar
Pressure groups and campaign groups own websites as well as government publication via Google
21
Number of References
Textbooks + Blackboard resources + independent research should yield 15 or more references. Remember that if you use a website then that is a valid reference.
22
Examples from the past
Breast cancer and feminist activism
The social determinants of chronic fatigue syndrome
Schizophrenia amongst ethnic minority communities
The social determinants and experience of anorexia
The organisation and experience of psychotherapy in the UK
The Zika virus and the World Health Organisations response to it
Heart disease and the social gradient in health with a particular focus upon social class