OSPHONGK 44: Medical Sociology (Way: SI)

Instructor: JIN Lei

Health is a fundamental aspect of human existence and medicine is arguably the crown jewel of modern science. We all want good health, effective treatments of illness and affordable health care. Yet present-day health care is the flashpoint of many controversies: about the conflicts between patients and doctors; about the safety of medical treatments and reliability of medical knowledge; about inequality in health and longevity; and about the ever-increasing health care spending. This course dissects these issues from a sociological perspective. We ask questions such as: What counts as illness? How do people understand illness? How does illness affect people’s life? Who gets ill and why? What is the role of medical technology in fostering health? Why do doctors and patients have trouble communicating? How should health care systems be organized?

Units: 4 | Grading Basis: Letter grade | Way: SI | Departmental Credit: Human Biology, Public Policy | Component: Lecture 

*All courses are subject to change.