This is an archived copy of the 2020-21 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.utexas.edu/.

Health and Society Courses

Health and Society: H S

Lower-Division Courses

H S 301. Introduction to Health and Society.

Same as Sociology 308S. A broad, multidisciplinary overview that introduces students to the study of health and society. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Only one of the following may be counted: Health and Society 301, Sociology 308 (Topic: Introduction to Health and Society), 308S.

H S 310P. Physical Activity and Society.

Same as Sociology 302P. Explores the way in which people are physically active in a social context - primarily in the United States. Examines how social forces influence physical activity including cultural, economic, historical, and demographic considerations. Examines physical activity on both the individual and population levels to better understand benefits and barriers to activity through the social context. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Only one of the following may be counted: Sociology 302P, 304 (Topic: Physical Activity and Society), Health and Society 310P.

Upper-Division Courses

H S 320. Social Worth, Ethical Dilemmas, and Health Care.

Explores how the resolution of ethical dilemmas and the assessment of social worth influence the organization and distribution of health care. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.

H S 330. Health Care Policy in the United States.

An overview of the health care system in the United States and analysis of health policy issues primarily from the perspective of health economics. Three lecture hours or two lecture hours and one discussion hour a week for one semester. Only one of the following may be counted: Health and Society 330, Public Health 358D, Sociology 358D. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.

H S 340. Topics in Health and Society.

Selected topics on health and society. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing; additional prerequisites may vary with the topic.

Topic 6: Cancerland. Same as Sociology 320C. Explores the social and cultural terrain of cancer research, treatment, and public policy in the United States. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Only one of the following may be counted: Health and Society 340 (Topic 6), Sociology 320C, 321K (Topic: Cancerland). Additional prerequisite: Upper-division standing.
Topic 7: Contemporary Practice of Medicine. Explores what it means to be a practicing physician in contemporary America. Structured as a series of guest lectures by doctors from different medical specialties and at different stages in their careers; physician scientists and academicians; hospital administrators and related professionals; providers of medical care from international settings; and ethicists. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Health and Society 340 (Topic 7) and Sociology 321K (Topic: Contemporary Practice of Medicine) may not both be counted. Additional prerequisite: Upper-division standing.
Topic 8: Economic Sociology of Health. Same as Sociology 322J. Provides a look at the economics of health and health care through a sociological lens. Examines how the multidimensional nature and distribution of health and healthcare are shaped by a variety of social and economic factors. Gain an understanding of the power of incentives, markets, and cost-benefit analysis, as well as the limits of these tools, in creating effective health care policy. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Only one of the following may be counted: Health and Society 340 (Topic 8), Sociology 321K (Topic: Economic Sociology of Health), 322J. Additional prerequisite: Upper-division standing
Topic 9: Valuing Mental Health. Explores the value of health in general and mental health specifically. Comparison of notions of health and illness, non-communicable disease and mental illness, and relative valuations in health and mental health. Development of sound, sensitive, and defensible opinions about mental health through the use of plays, poems, songs, videos, short stories, and personal accounts of illness and disability. Three lecture hours a week for one semester Health and Society 340 (Topic 9) and Sociology 321K (Topic: Valuing Mental Health) may not both be counted. Additional prerequisite: Upper-division standing.
Topic 11: Medical Sociology. Same as Sociology 341C. Explores the social context of health, illness, and the health care system in American society. Discussion of the processes of medicalization and demedicalization, social factors influencing health and health care, the organization of the health care delivery system and patient outcomes, and the social meaning and experiences of illness. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Only one of the following may be counted: Sociology 321K (Topic: Medical Sociology), 341C, or Health and Society 340 (Topic 11). Additional prerequisite: Upper-division standing.

H S 341. Health and Justice.

Same as Philosophy 325J. Examines ethical, political, and legal issues surrounding medicine, society, and healthcare. Three lecture hours or two lecture hours and one discussion hour a week for one semester. Only one of the following may be counted: Philosophy 325J, 365 (Topic: Health and Justice), Health and Society 341. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.

H S 341C. Comparative United States Health Systems.

Examine the social and economic distribution of health and health care and how underlying social values shape both the health of a population and its approach to health care. Analyze health care systems worldwide to see what the advantages and disadvantages of these models are for different segments of society compared to the US model. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Health and Society 340 (Topic: Comparative US Health Systems) and 341C may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.

H S 347E. Sustainability, Equity, and Health.

Same as Geography 342S. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Only one of the following may be counted: Geography 342S, 356 (Topic: Sustainability/Equity/Health), Health and Society 340 (Topic: Sustainability/Equity/Health), 347E. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.

H S 350E. Foundations of Epidemiology.

Same as Health Education 343. Introduction to the basic tenets of epidemiology as well as the different types of epidemiological study designs. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Only one of the following may be counted: Health Education 343, Health and Society 340 (Topic 1), 350E. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

H S 377R. Advanced Research in Health and Society.

Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing; Health and Society 301 with a grade of at least B- and one of the following with a grade of at least B-: Biology 318M, Educational Psychology 371, Geography 310C, Sociology 317L, Statistics and Data Sciences 302, 304, 318, (or Statistics and Scientific Computation 302, 304, 318), Social Work 318.

H S 378. Seminar in Health and Society.

Focuses on a key topic or debate within the Health and Society area of study and develops students' abilities to use data and write a research or policy paper that informs that topic or debate. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing and Health and Society 301.

H S 679H. Honors Tutorial Course.

A supervised conference course to provide training in research and writing. The equivalent of three lecture hours a week for two semesters. Offered on the letter-grade basis only. Prerequisite: For 679HA, upper-division standing and admission to the honors program in Health and Society; for 679HB, Health and Society 679HA.

Graduate Courses

Professional Courses