- Course Catalog Description:
- Health care is a fundamental right, but access to it is not shared evenly by all. This course considers women's and men's health needs, and how health systems assign priority to those needs. The course also covers how differences in health policy, national medical systems, levels of wealth, and cultural contexts around the world affect women's health and treatment and their experiences of wellness and illness. Women are taking an active role in shaping healthy societies. The final portion of this course looks at the goals and successes of women's movements in the health sphere. Throughout the course, there will be an emphasis on how sociological approaches to health differ from medical or epidemiological approaches, the advantages of the sociological approaches, and the respective advantages and disadvantages of qualitative versus quantitative approaches to studying women's health. Pre-req: Soc majors and minors must register A-F; Soc 1001 recommended.
- Class Notes:
- Click this link for more detailed information: http://classinfo.umn.edu/?boyle014+SOC3241+Fall2023
- Class Description:
This course takes a sociological and global approach to gender and health. We begin with critiques of the woman/man dichotomy and discuss a more inclusive sociological approach. We consider how gender expectations vary around the world and over time, and the implications for health. We specifically focus on gender expectation and health related to: dating, sex, and contraceptive use; access to abortion; advertising/body image; education; employment. We review global initiatives for improving health, and ideas to reach those goals. Throughout the course, we focus on the relative advantages of qualitative versus quantitative approaches to studying gender and health. Students are introduced to, and learn to interpret, global health data.
- Who Should Take This Class?:
- Sociology, Global Studies, and Political Science majors. Students getting a Public Health or Population Studies minor. Students interested in learning how to work with global health data.
- Learning Objectives:
-- Develop a sociological understanding of sex, gender, and health
-- Become familiar with an inclusive sociology of sex and gender that moves beyond the "gender binary"
-- Consider how policies, resources, and culture influence the priority given to women's health
-- Learn the relative advantages of qualitative versus quantitative approaches to studying health
-- Become acquainted with important resources to study health globally
- Grading:
This may change a bit:
Reflections (2), 10%
Online reading quizzes (6, drop lowest score), 30%
Mixed-method country report, 30%
Peer reviews (2) 10%
Group presentation of country reports 10%
Participation/Attendance/In-class Assignments 10%
- Exam Format:
- Short answer, multiple choice, and fill-in-the-blank questions with one longer essay question.
- Class Format:
- In-person class; most days are a combination of lecture and discussion. Some days are focused on completing course assignments.
- Textbooks:
- https://bookstores.umn.edu/course-lookup/32450/1239
- Instructor Supplied Information Last Updated:
- 12 April 2023