Module: Introduction to Sociology of Health & Illness

Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

All Module information is indicative, and this portal is an interim interface pending the full upgrade of Coursebuilder and subsequent integration to the new DCU Student Information System (DCU Key).

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title	Introduction to Sociology of Health & Illness
Module Code	NS113 (ITS) / SOC1009 (Banner)
Faculty	Science & Health	School	Nursing, PsyT & Comm Health
Module Co-ordinator	Mel Duffy
Module Teachers	-
NFQ level	6	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	Not Available
Co-requisite	Not Available
Compatibles	Not Available
Incompatibles	Not Available

Coursework Only
A resist assignment and will be offered in the Autumn.

Description

This module will introduce the nursing student to Sociological concepts and theories. It will explore how culture, social and economic characterises of people's environments influences their experience of health and illness. It will develop a sociological awareness which will assist nurses to use sociology to ask appropriate questions and consider relevant factors in their care of the patient/client. This module will enable the student to gain an understanding of the social changes taking place in society - from family structures and belief systems to the influences of technologies and social institutions on both the patients/clients experience whether able or dis-abled bodied of health and illness as well as the nurses’ ability to care in a changing environment.

Learning Outcomes

1. Describe the major theoretical approaches and concepts in sociology
2. Discuss the relevance of sociology to the study of health and illness
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the socialisation process both in society and nursing
4. Identify theoretical approaches to the sociological debates of health and illness
5. Illustrate an understanding of how family, religion, culture, sexuality and gender influences an individual's or groups comprehension of health and illness in a changing Ireland

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	24	Interactive lecture series
Independent Study	13	Learning how to source material - becoming a competent library user
Fieldwork	8	Labelling & stigma - application to branches
Directed learning	8	Culture & ethnicity - role in health care
Fieldwork	8	Gender - mascuilinity/feminity role in health
Fieldwork	8	Sexuality amd health
Fieldwork	8	Social institution - upack how they influence health
Independent Study	5	identifying quality of articles and relevance
Independent Study	5	learning how to retrieve materila
Independent Study	38	Examination preparation
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Socialisation
Explore the effects of the socialisation process by investigating the norms, values and belief systems of society. How we go from child to adult - from lay person to professional - how we become a patient

Gender and health
Investigate whethert it matters being a woman or man in relation to health. The effects of mascuilinity or feminity.

Social Institutions
Discuss how the main institutions - family - education - religion can influence our health

Social Class & Inequality
Main theories of class. Develop an understanding of how class and inequality can shape our understanding of health and illness

Culture & Ethnicity
Examine how culture and/or etnicity can shape our understanding of health and illness. Explore our understanding of who why people become ill.

Sexuality and health
Describe how a person's sexuality is an influential factor in your health.

Labelling and Stigma
Discuss how our physical, psychological or our social difference affects our health status. Be aware of how technologies can influence our sense of self.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
Assignment	Assignment will be set with submission in week 13	100%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories: Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module. Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module. Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List

Sandra Igwe: 2022, My Black Motherhood: Mental Health, Stigma, racism and the System, 7, Jessica Kingsley Publishers, London, 9781839970085
Megan Todd: 2020, Sexualities and Society: An Introduction, 13, Sage Publications Limited, London, 9781446274293
Lilian Thuram: 2021, White Thinking: Behind the Mask of Racial Identity, 3, Hero, London, 9781800313446
Wren, MaevAnn: 2003, Unhealthy State: Anatomy of a Sick Society, New Island,
Duffy, Mel (compilation text): 2006, Introduction to Sociology of Health & Illness, 1846581605
Barry, A. & Yuill, C: 2003, Understanding Health: A Sociological Introduction, SAGE,
Tovey H & Share P: 2003, A Sociology of Ireland, Gill & Macmillan,
White, K: 2002, An Introduction to the Sociology of Health and Illness, SAGE,

Other Resources

None