This course is a critical introduction to the sociological analysis of issues
in women’s health in the contemporary United States, emphasizing how the key
variables of gender, race & class structure access to health & well-being for
women in our society. Recent classes have examined breast cancer, heart
disease, advertising and body image issues, hormonal issues for women of all
ages, issues of gender in organized medicine, and systemic problems in delivery
of health care to women of color and to poor women.
Research and activism in this subject area have expanded rapidly in the past 2
decades. This course introduces students to this literature. Students also
develop the analytical tools to become more effective managers of their own
health as a result of the work they do in this course.
Students write a significant term paper on a course-related topic of their
choosing and also keep a journal of their reflections on readings and class
work.
See Blackboard for course syllabus and other details. [available to class members only]
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Last Modified:
02/13/06 03:14 PM.
Pictures, from left to right: Pink ribbons from the breast cancer movement; a young woman struggling with an eating disorder; woman smoker being tested for lung capacity; 'Dame Edna', whose character embodied the quintessential gaudy 'old woman' stereotype; woman having a mammogram to screen for breast abnormalities; Byllye Avery, activist on behalf of health issues for women of color; chart showing that heart disease kills many more American women each year than breast cancer does -- the red dress represents the 'wear red' campaign to increase awareness of women's heart disease risk.