MODULE SPECIFICATION TEMPLATE

MODULE DETAILSModule title The Social Context of Health and IllnessModule code SS538Credit value 20LevelMark the box to the right of the appropriate level with an ‘X’

Level 4 Level 5 X Level 6 Level 7 Level 8Level 0(for modules at foundation level)

Entry criteria for registration on this module

Pre-requisitesSpecify in terms of module codes or equivalent

Normally Level 4 Social Science modules

Normally Level 4 Social Science modules for BA(Hons) Social ScienceCo-requisite modulesSpecify in terms of module codes or equivalent

Module delivery

Mode of delivery Taught X Distance Placement OnlineOther

Pattern of delivery Weekly X Block Other

When module is delivered Semester 1 Semester 2 X Throughout yearOther

Brief description of module contentOverview (max 80 words)

The module explores the influence of society and culture on health outcomes and illness experience; and highlights the relevance of illness narratives and experiential knowledge in understanding the relationship between society and health. Whilst the module draws on health psychology and medical anthropology, the central disciplinary focus of the module is on medical sociology.

Module team/ author/ coordinator(s)

Paul Fox-Strangways

School School of Applied Social ScienceSite/ campus where delivered

UBH and/or Falmer

Course(s) for which module is appropriate and status on that course

Course Status (mandatory/ compulsory/ optional)

BA (Hons) Applied Social Science CompulsoryBA (Hons) Social Science Optional

MODULE AIMS, ASSESSMENT AND SUPPORT

Aims The aims of the module are:

Module descriptor template: updated Aug 2012

To provide an overview of key social issues that relate to the study of health, disease and illness

To describe and critically explore social science concepts and theories used in the study of health, disease and illness

To describe and critically explore how illness narratives and personal accounts of illness experience can inform our understanding of health and health problems

To improve academic skills through the study of the social context of health and illness (e.g. written and oral communication skills, group working, critical thinking and analysis, evaluation, problem solving, and research literacy).

Learning outcomes On successful completion of the module the student will be able to :

1. Demonstrate a critical understanding of how health outcomes are affected by social relations and environmental conditions

2. Demonstrate a critical knowledge of how social science concepts and theories have been applied in understanding and explaining health, disease and illness.

3. Demonstrate a critical understanding of how social and cultural factors can influence health behaviour and the experience of health and illness

4. Demonstrate critical understanding of the role of illness narratives and personal accounts of illness experience in informing our understanding of health and health problems

5. Review and form a coherent interpretation of an autobiographical account or a novel that recounts an illness experience.

Content Concepts and theories of heath, disease and illness Understanding the experience of health and illness:Illness

behaviour; stigma and the sick role Illness narratives Chronic illness and long-term conditions The experience of disability The social and environmental determinants of health Health inequalities: Class and Poverty Gender differences in health and illness Culture, ethnicity, and health Health and wellbeing in later life Psycho-social aspects of health and wellbeing – stress and

distress The social context of mental illness Happiness, health and wellbeing Community, health, and well being

Learning support Alder, B. et al. 2009 Psychology and Sociology applied to medicine, 3rd edition, Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone

Barry, A. 2008 Understanding the sociology of health: an introduction, 2nd ed. London: Sage.

Blaxter. M. 2010 Health. 2nd ed. Cambridge: Polity.

Module descriptor template: updated Aug 2012

Clarke, A. 2010 The Sociology of Healthcare. 2nd ed.Harlow: Pearson Education.

Conrad, P. 2009 The Sociology of health and illness: critical perspectives, 8th ed. New York: Worth.

Gabe, J. and M. Bury. 2004. Key Concepts in Medical Sociology. Sage Publications.

Helman, C. 2007. Culture, Health and Illness: an Introduction for Health Professionals, 5th ed. London: Hodder Arnold.

Naidoo, J. & Wills, J. eds. 2008 Health Studies: an introduction, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

Nettleton, S. 2006. The Sociology of Health and Illness, 2nd ed. Cambridge: Polity Press.

Ragin, D. 2010 Health Psychology, London: Pearson.

Rogers, A. and D. Pilgrim 2010 A Sociology of mental health and illness. 4th ed.Maidenhead : Open University Press.

Scambler, G. ed. 2008. Sociology as Applied to Medicine, 6th ed. Edinburgh: Saunders Elsevier.

Taylor, S.E. 2009 Health Psychology, 7th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, Higher Education.

White, K. 2009 An Introduction to the sociology of health and illness, London: Sage.

Wilkinson, R.G. and K.Pickett 2010 The Spirit Level: why equality is better for everyone, London: Penguin.

Relevant journals:

Sociology of Health and Illness

Social Science and Medicine

Journal of health psychology

A selection of novels and autobiographical texts with illness/disease experience as a central theme will be used in the book review assignment. Examples include for instance

Sayer,P. 1989. The Comforts of Madness, Sevenoaks: Sceptre Books.

Bernlef, J.1988. Out of Mind, London: Faber and Faber.

Plath, S. [2001] 1963. The Bell Jar,London: Faber.

Bass. E. 2007. A Secret Madness: The Story of a Marriage,London: Profile Books Ltd.

Slater, L. 1998. Prozac Diary, London: Penguin Books.

Module descriptor template: updated Aug 2012

Shenk, D. 2003. The Forgetting: Alzheimer's: Portrait of an Epidemic. New York: Anchor books.

Watt, B. 1996. Patient; the true story of a rare illness, London: Viking

Students will be provided with a module handbook at the beginning of the module which will provide a list of both essential readings and further reading/resources for the module as a whole.

This module will also make use of e-learning. Student Central will be used as a site for discussion on key themes and questions, and to provide students with course and learning materials.

Teaching and learning activities

Details of teaching and learning activities

36 hours teaching; 164 hours directed private study.  Teaching will comprise of lectures, seminars and student-led discussion.

Allocation of study hours (indicative)Where 10 credits = 100 learning hours

Study hours

SCHEDULED This is an indication of the number of hours students can expect to spend in scheduled teaching activities including lectures, seminars, tutorials, project supervision, demonstrations, practical classes and workshops, supervised time in workshops/ studios, fieldwork, external visits, and work-based learning.

36

GUIDED INDEPENDENT STUDY

All students are expected to undertake guided independent study which includes wider reading/ practice, follow-up work, the completion of assessment tasks, and revisions.

164

PLACEMENT The placement is a specific type of learning away from the University that is not work-based learning or a year abroad.

TOTAL STUDY HOURSPlease note this must amount to 200 hours for a 20 credit module

200

Assessment tasks

Details of assessment for this module

An essay of 2500 words maximum (L0s 1, 2 and 3).

A 1000 word book review of a novel written about experiences of health and health problems from a list of novels given out by the module co-ordinator (LOs 4 and 5).

Types of assessment task1

Indicative list of summative assessment tasks which lead to the award of credit or which are required for progression.

% weighting(or indicate if component is pass/fail)

WRITTEN 2500 word essay 70%

COURSEWORK 1000 word book review. 30%

PRACTICAL Oral assessment and presentation, practical skills assessment, set exercise

1Set exercises,which assess the application of knowledge or analytical, problem-solving or evaluative skills, are included under the type of assessment most appropriate to the particular task.

Module descriptor template: updated Aug 2012

EXAMINATION INFORMATION

Area examination board Applied Social Science UG AEB

Refer to Faculty Office for guidance in completing the following sections

External examiners

Name Position and institution Date appointed Date tenure ends

Stephen Driver Principal Lecturer, Director Social Research CentreRoehampton University

January 2010 December 2013

QUALITY ASSURANCE

Date of first approvalOnly complete where this is not the first version

February 2013

Date of last revisionOnly complete where this is not the first version

Date of approval for this version

February 2013

Version number 1

Modules replacedSpecify codes of modules for which this is a replacement

Available as free-standing module? Yes No X

Module descriptor template: updated Aug 2012