The course aims to provide theoretical and practical knowledge on the topic of health policies in a comparative national and international perspective. The course explores the connections between health, disease and well-being by adopting the perspective of the sociology of health and medicine. Specifically, the course aims to promote the following specific educational objectives:

- to be able to distinguish the main sociological theories relating to the social construction of the body and the construction of illness

- to know how to use the life course approach in reading and interpreting people's health and illness paths

- knowing how to use the experience of illness as an object of sociological research and analysis in people's life courses

- know how to use the concepts of mental suffering, madness and disability

- know how to distinguish between care practices and relationships in different health care settings 

- know how to interpret processes of change in family relationships when faced with the experience of illness

- know how to construct and interpret processes of citizenship associations and co-production of care

- know how to read territorial diversity in the provision of social and health services

- know how to use the language of the sociology of health and medicine appropriately

- know how to distinguish processes of change in organisational practices and health professions

- know how to read macro processes in health policies 

- know how to read social inequalities in health 

The course is organized in the following thematic macro areas:

1. Social health inequalities: theories and approaches

2. Narratives of illness and medicine

3. Citizen participation, social capital, global health

4. Medicalization: why we are all sick

5. Happiness in the age of anxiety

6. Predicting, preventing, personalizing

7. Theories of health sociology

A part of the course will be dedicated to the study of the Gentlecare method for a positive model of assistance for Alzheimer's.

Knowledge and ability to understand: knowledge of the main lines of debate within the sociology of health and medicine. 

Applied knowledge and understanding: knowledge and understanding of the concepts and theories covered in the course. 

Autonomy of judgement: ability to critically evaluate the application of concepts to social practices, interpreting situations and contexts of health and illness. 

Communication skills: the ability to clearly express the course content by explaining the themes and concepts of the sociology of health and medicine. The ability to argue about issues and problems of health and illness. 

Ability to learn: Good autonomy in the ability to analyse the subject of health and illness through sociological lenses. 

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Teaching

Lectures and active learning activities (classroom discussion).

Innovative teaching methods

Discussion in small groups starting. Presentations and discussions by the students starting from the study texts.

Attendance

Attendance of at least 3/4 of the lesson hours

Course books

Maturo, A. (2024). Il primo libro di sociologia della salute. Einaudi (tutto il testo)

Moyra Jones (2005). Gentlecare. Un modello positivo di assistenza per l'Alzheimer. Carocci. Roma.  (Capitoli 1,2,3,4, 6 e uno altro capitolo a scelta tra i restanti). 

In alternative it is possible to study:

Sarah Nettleton (2006) The Sociology of Health and Illness. Polity 

Gabe J,  Cardano M., Genova, A, (eds) (2020) Health and Illness in Neoliberal Era. Emerald.  (two chapters according to the interests of the students) 

Assessment

The expected learning outcomes will be evaluated through an oral exam. 

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Teaching

independent study

Attendance

study of the indicated texts

Course books

Mario Cardano, Guido Giarelli, Giovanna Vicarelli ( a cura di) Sociologia della salute e delle medicina. Il Mulino, 2020 (to study 12 chapters freely chosen among the total 15 chapters) 

Maturo, A. (2024). Il primo libro di sociologia della salute. Einaudi 

In alternative it is possible to study on English text books:

Sarah Nettleton (2006) The Sociology of Health and Illness. Polity 

Gabe J,  Cardano M., Genova, A, (eds) (2020) Health and Illness in Neoliberal Era. Emerald.  

Assessment

The expected learning outcomes will be evaluated through an oral exam. The vote of the oral exam is expressed in thirtieths.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.