Explore UCD

UCD Home >

SOC30810

Academic Year 2025/2026

Gender, Health & Society (SOC30810)

Subject:
Sociology
College:
Social Sciences & Law
School:
Sociology
Level:
3 (Degree)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Barbara Gornicka
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

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.

About this Module

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:
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
Incompatibles:
SOC20400 - Gender, Health and Society


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade Component repeat (in-module) Offered
Exam (In-person): A 2 hour end of term in person written exam in the exam centre. End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
Graded No
70
No
Assignment(Including Essay): Students will be expected to take an in-person in class MCQ test, OR alternatively do a small group (3 people) in class presentation on one of the provided module topics (details to be confirmed). Week 7 Graded No
30
No

As part of UCD's student support, under the Additional Consideration policy, extensions may be available for the following assessments in the module: Assignment (including essay/poster), Portfolio, Reflective Assignment, Report(s), and Individual Project.


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. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.