Sociology 1022
Ethical and Social
Issues in Health and Medicine
Fall 2006
Tuesday and
Thursday
Office Hours Noon
Tuesday and Thursday Ketchum 11A
Lecture Syllabus
Joseph.T.Young@colorado.edu
The Course will focus on health, ethical and medical issues from a sociological perspective. We will discuss the distribution of health services and resources, ethical decision-making, rights and responsibilities and gender and race issues in: health care delivery systems, disease control, research, reproductive health, birth and death issues, and legal and malpractice problems. There are two portions to the course—lectures and recitation. This is the syllabus for the lecture portion of the course.
The purposes of the class will be:
1] To better understand the distribution of health and
health services in the
2] To understand social conditions that affect health and health care delivery.
3] To develop critical thinking and writing skills using health issues as the subject matter.
4] To develop better informed, efficient consumers and adults.
Conrad, P., Editor, The Sociology of Health and Illness, St.Martin’s Press, 7th Edition, 2001.
Mappes, T. and D. DeGrazia. Biomedical Ethics. McGraw/Hill, 6thh Edition, 2006.
Occasional E reserve readings as indicated.
I expect you to be the adults you are. Adults make actions based on facts as they see them, control their own lives, and accept the consequences of their actions. They do not expect others to control or salvage their actions. I am flexible and understanding but if you decide (and it is a conscious decision) not to act like adults, consequences will ensue and you will be expected to accept them. No whining, no games (see JP Sartre, Ayn Rand) Of course, disabled students and those for whom English is a second language will be accommodated as best we can. Sexual harassment is prohibited behavior at CU. This course contains medical information, occasionally of a sexual nature. If you are uncomfortable with this information you may contact me or leave class without any negative consequence to you (other information below).
1] Attendance—I expect students to attend class and be prepared to participate. Roll will not be taken, however repetitive ditching of class will have negative consequences for your grade. Information and class assignments will change during the term and these changes will be announced in class – if you are not there then you miss a lot. Regular attendance insures the best learning experience.
2] Participation makes the class go. If you don’t participate, you don’t learn. I will attempt to engage your interest but I will not spoon-feed you. Participation will improve your chances of better grades. Bring recent and current ethical and health issues to class and with time available we will discuss them.
3] Civility—Civility and courtesy are expected. If you are not prepared to act in this manner, you will be called on that behavior, and asked to leave. This will affect your grade adversely.
4] Plagiarism—I have read that 90% of high school and college students cheat and/or plagiarize. I am not omnipotent but if I catch you, what ever the task you are doing gets an F with chance of Judicial Council appeal, and the case will be referred to the college for their action. Cheaters beware.
5] Excuses—I have heard them all. I give everyone one chance, two chances are rare, three—you’re pushing it and I will not likely listen. Do not have your parents contact me to beg—you are responsible for this class, not them.
If you qualify for accommodations because of a disability, please submit to me an letter from Disability Services in a timely manner so that your needs may be addressed. Disability Services determines accommodations based on documented disabilities. Contact: 303-492-8671, Willard Hall 322, and www.colorado.edu/disabilityservices.
Campus policy regarding religious observances requires that faculty make every effort to reasonably and fairly deal with all students who, because of religious obligations, have conflicts with scheduled exams, assignments or required attendance. In this class, please inform me before the event or holiday and I will accommodate you. If you inform me after the event or holiday, I will not accommodate you. Students can see full details of this policy at www.colorado.edu/policies/fac_relig.html.
Students and faculty each have a responsibility for maintaining an appropriate learning environment. Students who fail to adhere to behavioral standards may be subject to discipline. Faculty have the responsibility to treat students with understanding, respect and dignity, to guide classroom discussion, and to set reasonable limits on the manner in which students express opinions.
There are topics in my classes that are controversial, medically oriented and occasionally personal and graphic. Please understand that my intent is to provide information, not to influence your opinions, or make outrageous statements or assertions.
Every opinion is treated with respect and your right to hold that opinion is protected.
If you are going to be late with an assignment, absent for a test, or absent from a required presentation or class you MUST inform me prior to the event in question. This rule INCLUDES illness, deaths in the family and any other event. I will hold you to this standard, so do not test me. The only exceptions are your death or your personal unconsciousness/coma.
All students of the
a] cheating
b] plagiarism (document sources very carefully and rigorously)
c] aiding others in academic dishonesty,
d] fabrication and lying,
e] bribery and
f] threatening behavior.
All incidents of academic misconduct will be reported to the Honor Code Council. If you are found to be in violation of University policy, you will be subject to sanctions from the instructor and the University including but not limited to probation, expulsion, and suspension. The Honor code can be found at www.colorado.edu/policies/honor.html.
The
I am available by email at Joseph.T.Young@colorado.edu. I answer email several times daily. You may also schedule time before or after class by putting a note in my box in the Sociology office or see me at office hours Tuesdays and Thursdays at noon in Ketchum 11A (basement) or by appointment. You may not have my home phone number.
Two exams, including the final, will be given during the course. They will be essay answer and multiple choice type tests. Each test will be worth 16.7% of the class grade. They will NOT be cumulative in nature.
The instructor reserves the right to give pop quizzes if attendance is flagging and/or participation does not meet minimum standards. These will be used as extra credit for those present. This will be the only extra credit opportunity offered.
There will be two opinion papers required during the term. They must be 4-5 pages typed (no more, no less), double spaced, in a readable font, and accompanied by real references (not newspaper articles, encyclopedias, dictionaries and websites, unless you have prior approval of the site from the instructor). They require research, cogent thought and ordered argument. Use the citation format of American Sociological Association journals for the citations (www.asanet.org for the citation format, available on the website under assignments). Each paper will comprise 16.7% of your grade. Late papers will lose one grade designation per day (ten points) for lateness, no excuses.
Grades are based on
2 exams 100 pts each 200 pts Borderline grades will be rounded
2 Papers 100 pts each 200 pts upward if class participation
Recitation 200 pts warrants and if within 0.5 points
Total 600 pts of the higher grade designation.
The standard CU grade scale will apply.
The instructor reserves the right to decide borderline grade issues. Harassment of the instructor on this issue is not acceptable or effective.
Remember, Recitation
is one third of this class and is not optional. If you do not attend you will
fail this course. Attendance in recitation is mandatory.
Class Schedule
Week
1 Orientation and class expectations
Critical Thinking Concepts (E reserve)
Medical Ethics (Mappes 1-58)
2 Social Epidemiology
Conrad 7-55, Mappes 628-644.
3 Experience of Illness
Conrad 123-152, Mappes 76-90 144-149 70-72.
4 Social Organization of Medicine
Conrad 167-230.
Paper #1 is due in class Thursday.
5 Medical Workers/Healthcare Industry
Conrad 231-287, Mappes 170-192.
6 Death and Dying
Mappes 302-375, 417-444.
7 Research
Mappes 224-275.
8 Research II
Mappes
224-275.
Exam #1 Thursday in class.
9 Medicalization and Alternative Care
Conrad 366-377, 472-481.
10 Abortion/Reproduction
Mappes 448-508, 521-532, 553-565.
11and 12 Genetics
Mappes 511-521, 577-612. Paper
#2 due on Thursday.
Vacation
13 Health Reform
Conrad 288-316, Mappes 645-672, 620-624.
14 and 15 Comparative
Health Systems
Conrad 496-536, Mappes 624-627, 672-694.
16 International Health
Review in class on last Thursday of class (if needed)
Schedule and readings for recitation will be provided separately.
I expect that we will have a good semester together—Good Luck.