SOC20400 Gender, Health and Society

Academic Year 2023/2024

This module takes a critical, interdisciplinary approach to understanding the relationship between gender and health. It examines why health inequalities in gender persist. It considers how theories of health and illness drive health policy-making in the political and health-care systems.
Through engagement with course materials and facilitated in-class discussions, students will:
 1. Gain a critical awareness of the social and political forces that shape gendered health;
 2. Articulate the links between constructions of gender and health, with a particular focus on
women and women’s bodies;
 3. Consider how medical and popular knowledge about health is implicated in the social
reproduction of gender difference and gender roles;
 4. Develop a deeper understanding of how women’s experiences of health and health care vary
according to social position.
 5. Learn about the gendered dimensions of health inequalities.
 6. Expand their understanding of women’s “choices” in relation to their health and reproduction.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On successfully completing the module you will be able to:

(i) demonstrate a competence in using major theoretical perspectives and concepts in sociology, gender and women's studies and and their application to social life;
(ii) demonstrate the ability to analyse empirical materials from sociology/ gender studies/anthropology etc., and critically engage with materials involving complex reasoning;
(iii) develop greater reflexivity (self-awareness) of their own understandings of health, its determinants and its relationship to gender.
(iv) gain experience developing and applying a critical perspective to issues in the matters relating to sociology of gender and
health;
(v) demonstrate an appreciation of the interpersonal skills (e.g. empathy, ethical thinking) required to analyse and produce high quality arguments within the arena of gender, health and illness.

Indicative Module Content:

Whilst the module’s precise content may develop and change throughout the duration of the term, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:

Constructing and deconstructing gender;
Gendered bodies, myths and medicalisation;
Making connections: sociology, feminism and health;
Masculinities and health;
Gender and the world of pain;
Women and reproductive health;
Sexual health;
Gender and healthcare profession.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

22
Autonomous Student Learning

128
Total

150
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
In light of the COVID-19 situation, please stay alert to messages and announcements as this may impact on the usual way that this module is delivered.

A student-centred approach to learning is a key aspect of the module, along with self-directed learning. Most of the content is delivered by scheduled face-to-face lectures throughout the trimester:

Lectures;
In-class discussions;
peer and group work (in class)
reflective learning;
critical thinking and writing; 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Examination: End of trimester exam 2 hour End of Trimester Exam No Graded No

100

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Not yet recorded
Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
 
Spring
      
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Thurs 15:00 - 15:50
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 24, 25, 26, 29 Tues 12:00 - 12:50
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 22, 23, 30, 31, 32, 33 Tues 12:00 - 12:50
Spring