Medicine, Sickness and Society (SOCI30017)

This subject applies a critical sociological perspective to medicine, health, and illness in contemporary society. Students will develop an understanding of how society, culture and politics shape who gets sick and who stays healthy; the experience of illness and chronic diseases; and interactions with and access to medical professionals and the medical system. Students will learn and utilise key sociological concepts and theories to understand topical issues in health and medicine such as vaccination hesitancy and resistance; the growth of alternative and complementary medicines (CAM); the pharmaceuticalisation of society and the adoption of precision medicine. Upon completion of the assessments and the subject, students will be able to communicate sociological understandings of health and illness to non-sociological audiences.