Health across the Lifecourse (L3116B)

15 credits, Level 5

Spring teaching

The module introduces you to sociological perspectives of health across the lifecourse. Through theoretical and empirical work you’ll examine how health and illness are conceptualised and experienced. You’ll also look at how the state, professions and organisations position themselves, as well as how they formulate responses through policy, discourse and specific interventions.

You’ll explore contemporary issues concerning health, including:

  • maternal health
  • mental health
  • health inequalities
  • state and private provision of healthcare.

You’ll take a lifecourse approach, from birth and infancy through midlife and old age to death and dying. Each week’s topics will cover sociological theory and debate.

Teaching

50%: Lecture
50%: Seminar

Assessment

100%: Coursework (Essay, Portfolio)

Contact hours and workload

This module is approximately 150 hours of work. This breaks down into about 22 hours of contact time and about 128 hours of independent study. The University may make minor variations to the contact hours for operational reasons, including timetabling requirements.

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2024/25. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum.

We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.