This course is intended to provide an in-depth introduction to the major theoretical frameworks of medical sociology and empirical research examining social factors that influence individual's health and illness. We will take a critical approach in our examination of: the distribution of health and illness (by socioeconomic status, sex/gender, and race/ethnicity); medicalization and social control; and the social construction of health and illness. Most of the learning in this course will take place through shared facilitation of class discussions based on the reading.

Multivariate statistical methods for the analysis of social data. Topics include problem-solving with multiple regression, categorical-variable models, dynamic models, and others.

A student prepared by training and experience to do the independent work under the guidance of an instructor may register. Prereq: 16 graduate hours of sociology and permission. Hours and credit to be arranged. May be repeated for different topics.

Conducted in Spanish. Development of listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing skills, as well as cultural awareness of the Hispanic world. SPAN 401 is a prerequisite for this course. Cannot be taken separately without permission of the instructor. SPAN 401-402 taken together satisfy the foreign language requirement.