Course Description
This course is one of a few in the UK to combine the inter-disciplinary approaches of Medical Sociology with Media and Communications to critically examine the key themes in the sociology of health and illness.
Health and illness are central to our lives and are major areas of work, policy and debate in society. This programme explores key topics including: the experiences of health and illness; the nature of the health professions; health inequalities; the rise of new health technologies; and the ways in which social class, gender, age and ethnicity shape private troubles and public issues in relation to health.
Aims
Specifically, the programme aims to:
- equip students with the sociological skills necessary to engage with the key debates in Sociology of Health and Illness;
- enable students to critically apply the key theories and concepts used in the Sociology of Health and Illness to understand important dimensions of modern society;
- equip students to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of classic and contemporary sociological debates in the Sociology of Health and Illness;
- understand and critically review historical, current and emerging developments in the broad and dynamic field of the sociology of health and illness;
- apply critical arguments to current problems, debates and controversies on the relationships between health, medicine and society;
- provide a stimulating teaching and learning environment in a small and friendly Department by enabling students to benefit from first hand exposure to world class staff research;
- provide an open and supportive learning environment by encouraging students to draw on their own experiences and relate them to the courses;
- offer skilled supervision, encouraging students to attain a high level of competence in the design and execution of a Sociology of Health and Illness research project which forms a major element of their assessment.
Entry Requirements
A relevant UK honours degree of 2:1 standard or overseas equivalent.
We expect the programme will appeal to students from social science, humanities, and biological and other natural science backgrounds.
English Language Requirements
- IELTS: 6.5 (min 6 in all areas)
- TOEFL Paper test: 580 (TWE 4.5)
- TOEFL Internet test: 92 (R20, L20, S20, W20)
- Pearson: 59 (51 in all subscores)
- BrunELT 65% (min 60% in all areas)
Brunel also offers our own BrunELT English Test and accept a range of other language courses. We also have a range of Pre-sessional English language courses, for students who do not meet these requirements, or who wish to improve their English.
Fees
Fees for 2013/14 entry
UK/EU students: £5,800 full-time; £2,900 part-time
International students: £13,500 full-time; £6,750 part-time
Fees quoted are per annum and are subject to an annual increase.
Student Destinations
Further study – PhD in a similar subject and an opportunity to study/collaborate with our international partners.
Further professional study e.g. as a bridge to a degree in Medicine or Dentistry.
A wide range of careers in the health and bioscience sectors – potential jobs after completing this course include clinical trials manager in a pharmaceutical company, research associate in clinical and non-clinical research studies at the interface of medicine and society, science writer, roles within medical charity organisations, and many more.
Module Details
All modules are subject to change.
Compulsory modules
- Sociology of Health and Illness
- Dissertation in Sociology of Health and Illness
Core modules
Optional Modules
Sociology and Communications
- Bioethics and Society
- Forensic Science and Society
- Global Media
- Issues and Controversies in Media and Communications
- Making Web Cultures
- Media Audiences
- Medicine, Bioscience and Society
- Popular Culture
- Qualitative Methods in Social and Cultural Research
- Quantitative Data Analysis
- Science, Technology and Contemporary Society
- Science and Policy Engagement
- The Creative Industries
Anthropology
- Anthropology and Global Health
- Anthropology of Biomedicine and Psychiatry
- Anthropology of Disability and Difference
- Anthropology of the Body
- Anthropology of the Person
- Kinship and New Directions in Anthropology
- Medical Anthropology in Clinical and Community Settings
Psychology
- Multidisciplinary Approaches to Health
- Psychology of Managing Illness
- Understanding Health
Typical Dissertations
Examples of dissertations in previous Master’s programmes run by CBAS:
- ‘Some babies are more special than others’: overcoming the shortage of donor oocytes in the UK
- A Bourdieusian approach to the shifting paradigms shaping the ‘good doctor’; what can widening access contribute to the medical habitus?
- A social approach to HIV/AIDS prevention in South Africa
- An investigation into whether extremely premature babies should be resuscitated
- Changing perspectives of egg donation in the United Kingdom: a social science review
- Cultural stigma and depression
- How has the doctor-patient relationship changed and what role do sociological factors play in this change?
- How do social factors affect perceptions of health and illness? The case of the Tamil diaspora from Sri-Lanka in London
Study Details: 
