1st semester

Learning Objectives

After successfully completing the course, students are expected to:

• Understand the fundamental sociological concepts related to the field of health.
• Describe the methodology of sociological research in both quantitative and qualitative paradigms.
• Identify parameters influencing health that result from the social environment.
• Analyze and interpret the social construction of knowledge, sociological critique of the biomedical model, social inequalities, the experience of illness and disability, the contribution of sociology to public health and health promotion, the concept of individual and social rights, and the organization and allocation of resources in the healthcare system and welfare state.

Course Content

The course introduces students to the concept, principles, and applications of Health Sociology and sociological research. The following topics are covered:

• Introduction to the sociology of illness and health
• The experience of chronic illness, disability, and social stigma.
• Sociology of health promotion and public health.
• The role of media in the social construction of illness.
• Sociology of the body.
• Interactions between patients and healthcare professionals.
• Patient organizations and the right to health.
• Social inequalities, welfare state, and healthcare provision.
• Sociology of epidemics and biopolitics.
• Sociology of mental health and illness.
• Healthcare systems and welfare state models.