Sociology of Gender and Sexuality (331-0-21)

Topic

Gender, Health, & Medicine

Instructors

Rebecca Rose Ewert

Meeting Info

Kresge Centennial Hall 2-415: Mon, Wed 3:30PM - 4:50PM

Overview of class

Topic: Gender, Health, and Medicine.

In this course, we will examine the way gender organizes health and medicine, as well as how the medical system and health practices create and organize gender. Using interdisciplinary research with a focus on sociological studies, we will interrogate the social, institutional, and biological links between gender and health. We will discuss health inequalities between women, men, and trans* individuals from different race, ethnic, and class backgrounds, using sociological research to understand why these inequalities and forms of difference emerge and are sustained. We will explore how modern Western medicine views male and female bodies and defines their health and illnesses accordingly. Students will complete two short research projects over the term in which they use different data sources (interviews and media content) to examine gendered perceptions of health, health behaviors, help-seeking behaviors, and experiences with medical institutions.

Class Materials (Required)

TBD

Class Attributes

Social & Behavioral Sciences Distro Area