Discussion Question

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

Could be a “critical discussion” of a DISABILITY

PHYSICAL

Sight

Hearing

Mobility (e.g. Paraplegia)

MENTAL

Down’s Syndrome

Cerebral Palsy

Autism

Dyselxia

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)

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

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

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)

2. ORGANISATION of Health & Social Care may include:

CRITICAL DISCUSSIONS of relevant THEORY related to:

RISK

SURVEILLANCE

BUREAUCRACY

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

3. The EXPERIENCE of illness may include:

CRITICAL DISCUSSIONS of relevant THEORY related to:

The sociology of the BODY:

– FEMINISM

– GOFFMAN

– FOUCAULT

3. The EXPERIENCE of illness may include

CRITICAL DISCUSSIONS of relevant THEORY related to:

The SICK ROLE

CHRONIC ILLNESS & BIOGRAPHY

ILLNESS NARRATIVES

STIGMA

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

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

Key Resources: electronically available text books

Key Resources: electronically available textbooks

Try to include references from at least 2 of these text books

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

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

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.

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

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