Students in the Health and Society concentration gain a broad understanding of how supraindividual factors (including socioeconomic inequality, demographic processes, neighborhood environments, cultural norms, and social networks) affect health and medical care. Students explore the fields of medical sociology, stratification, demography, and network science. The core courses in the concentration satisfy the social science requirements of premedical programs while also providing a solid foundation for students interested in public health, health policy, and global health.
Requirements and coursework
There are no prerequisites for the Sociology major. Completing either a first-year seminar or one introductory course by the end of the sophomore year is recommended.
Candidates for the intensive major should indicate interest to the DUS by registration period in the spring for the fall term of their senior year.
Requirements for the concentration include the following:
- Thirteen term courses in sociology (including the senior requirement). Up to five courses relevant to the concentration may be drawn from outside the Sociology department with approval from the DUS.
- SOCY 1600 or SOCY 1601, the gateway courses for the concentration (or other similar course, with approval of DUS)
- One course in sociological theory (SOCY 2001 or SOCY 2002)
- One course in a social science methodology (e.g., S&DS 1000, 1100, or 3630).
- One course in research design (SOCY 2100), usually completed in spring of junior year.
- In order to build a broad base of interdisciplinary knowledge on health, students may take up to five course credits from outside the Sociology department, with approval from the DUS. It is recommended that students select at least one course credit from the following: BIOL 1010, 1020, 1030, 1040; MATH 1120 or higher-level MATH course; ECON 2170.
- Two intermediate or advanced Sociology courses relevant to the concentration
- The senior requirement, integrating sociology with health and medicine
