Health, Biomedicine, Culture, and Society (220-0-20)

Instructors

Santiago José Molina

Meeting Info

Harris Hall L07: Tues, Thurs 2:00PM - 3:20PM

Overview of class

We are told constantly, "take care of yourself!" and we do our best to eat well, sleep well, and stay healthy. Our bodies are important to us. They are also important to the institutions we are a part of, including our families, our schools, our jobs, and our country. They are all invested in keeping our bodies healthy and productive. However, the array of institutions interested in the value of our bodies often have additional incentives- our health is surrounded by a hoard of controversies: - Why do some people get better medical care than others? - How should the healthcare system be organized? - How do we balance the risks of new medical treatments with the benefits? - What makes the stigma associated with disease and disability so enduring? - What happens when no diagnosis can be made? This course offers conceptual tools and perspectives for answering these controversies. To do so it surveys a variety of topics related to the intersections of health, biomedicine, culture, and society. We will analyze the cultural meanings associated with health and illness; the political debates surrounding health care, medical knowledge production, and medical decision-making; and the structure of the social institutions that comprise the health care industry. We will examine many problems with the current state of health and health care in the United States and also consider potential solutions.

Learning Objectives

To develop a conceptual toolkit for examining the politics of health and medicine.

Evaluation Method

Take-home short essay, in-class midterm, take-home final, and section attendance and participation.

Class Materials (Required)

All materials for this course will be made available on Canvas - no purchase necessary.

Class Attributes

Social and Behavioral Science Foundational Discipl
U.S. Perspectives on Power, Justice, and Equity

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Requirements: REASON: Pre-registration is not allowed for this class. Please try again during regular registration.

Associated Classes

DIS - Frances Searle Building 1421: Fri 1:00PM - 1:50PM

DIS - Kresge Centennial Hall 2-325: Fri 1:00PM - 1:50PM

DIS - Annenberg Hall G01: Fri 2:00PM - 2:50PM

DIS - Annenberg Hall G32: Fri 2:00PM - 2:50PM