To demonstrate the relevance of sociological approaches to understanding health, illness and the lifecourse by considering a range of substantive issues and the contribution made by different theoretical perspectives to illuminating them.   To examine critically new developments in theoretical and methodological approaches to the social and cultural study of health and the lifecourse To review a variety of empirical studies on the social and cultural aspects of health, illness and the lifecourse

(LO1) Demonstrate an understanding of ways in which sociological approaches can assist in explaining experiences of health, illness and the lifecourse.

(LO2) Demonstrate an understanding of key theoretical approaches to the health, illness and the lifecourse.

(LO3) Demonstrate an ability to evaluate sources of data, including official statistics and examples of empirical research, in terms of the contribution they make to understanding health, illness and the lifecourse in its social context.

(S1) Communication (oral, written and visual) - Academic writing (inc. referencing skills)

(S2) Critical thinking and problem solving - Critical analysis

(S3) Information skills - Critical reading

(S4) Critical thinking and problem solving - Synthesis

Why sociologies of health and the lifecourse Families, childhood and health Gender and health Chronic illness/biographical disruption Experiencing illness in old age The new genetics Social movements Biomedical citizenship Embodiment and health Caring and the lifecourse Cultures of reproduction Health inequalities and the lifecourse Substance use and misuse Disability Death and dying Health and socialcare

Teaching Method 1 - Lecture
Description: Hybrid - Face to face
Attendance Recorded: Yes
Notes: The lectures are designed to give you a broad introduction to key areas and debates; they are intended to facilitate your reading and to highlight issues that should be explored in your self-directed study and in the seminars

Teaching Method 2 - Seminar
Description: Face to face synchronous seminars, safety permitting
Attendance Recorded: Yes
Notes: The seminars pick up key points related to the previous week's lecture, specifically in relation to a relevant journal article covering the same ground and which is chosen to complement the lecture and distributed in advance. Accompanying this article will be a list of discussion topics/questions intended to help guide the discussion in the seminar.

Teaching Method 3 - Drop-In
Description:
Attendance Recorded: No
Notes: There will be a drop-in session in weeks 10 and 11 intended for indiv idual advice regarding assignment preparation

Skill/Other Attribute 1:
"Critical thinking and problem solving - Synthesis"
How this is developed:
"lectures"

Skill/Other Attribute 2:
"Information skills - Critical reading"
How this is developed:
"independent learning"

Skill/Other Attribute 3:
"Critical thinking and problem solving - Critical analysis"
How this is developed:
"independent learning"

Skill/Other Attribute 4:
"Communication (oral, written and visual) - Academic writing (inc. referencing skills)"
How this is developed:
"seminars"