- Subject:
- Sociology
- Material Type:
- Module
- Level:
- Community College / Lower Division
- Provider:
- Ohio Open Ed Collaborative
- Tags:
- License:
- Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial
- Language:
- English
- Media Formats:
- Text/HTML
Sociology in Focus- The Sick Role Conflict
Understanding and Changing the Social World, Section 18.1
Video – Relating Social Theories to Medicine – Khan Academy
Apply the three major sociological perspectives to issues of health and illness
Overview
OER Text Materials
Understanding and Changing the Social World, Section 18.1
Section 1, while brief, provides a fine overview of the sociological perspective on health and is appropriate for an introduction to sociology course. The three major sociological perspectives are applied to health in a clear and concise way. Key sociological concepts, such as Parson’s sick role, are introduced throughout the theory section. There is a lack of material on the social construction of health and illness. Supplemental material should address this topic as it is important to understanding health from a sociological perspective.
Supplementary Material (Videos and Reading)
YouTube "Sick Role Presentation"
A 4 minute video that describes the sick role.
Relating Social Theories to Medicine – Khan Academy (video)
Excellent ~10 minute video applying the three sociological paradigms to health and illness. It includes a good discussion of the social construction of health and illness.
“On Good and Bad Forms of Medicalization” in Bioethics
An interesting, but a bit challenging, article on medicalization. Medicalization is defined and a the medicalization of love is used as an illustration of how medicalization can be good and bad. It would generate great classroom discussion, but may need explained in a introductory course.