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The Global Transformation of Health - SOC00041H

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  • Department: Sociology
  • Module co-ordinator: Prof. Ellen Annandale
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: H
  • Academic year of delivery: 2023-24

Module summary

In this module you will gain insights into global health inequalities, especially between the ‘global north’ and the ’global south’, and explore the consequences for physical and mental health of increasing global connectivity. You will think about how health and disease has been transformed by mobile populations during cultural, political, technological, and environmental change and investigate the health impacts of divergent political circumstances.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 1 2023-24

Module aims

How does vulnerability to illness vary globally and why? And what insights does the study of health and illness provide into global inequalities especially between the ‘global north’ and the ’global south’? In this module, we will explore the consequences for physical and mental health of increasing global connectivity. You will think about how health and disease has been transformed by mobile populations during cultural, political, technological, and environmental change. We will address the differential impacts of emergent health problems on people in various parts of the globe, and investigate the consequences of the differential exposure of people to illnesses in divergent political circumstances.

Module learning outcomes

  1. Articulate your understanding of the physical and mental health consequences of increasing global connectivity and physical mobility

  2. Demonstrate and evaluate your awareness of global health inequalities and new forms of health stratification

  3. Engage in debates on topical contemporary issues such as the health consequences of health securitisation, violent conflict within and between nations, the global movement of bodies and body parts, the climate crisis, and the gendering of health (e.g female gential mutilation).

  4. Evaluate your ability to engage in critical analysis of various forms of research evidence

  5. Work effectively in groups and independently on set tasks

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Assessment 1 - Essay		 N/A 100

Special assessment rules

None

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Assessment 1 - Essay		 N/A 100

Module feedback

For formative work - 500 word wiki on as assessment topic- students will receive written or verbal feedback on how to improve their skills in areas that will contribute towards their summative assessment. This formative assessment will provide practice for the summative essay, which is in line with MLOs 1-5.

For summative work - 3000 word essay - students will receive an overall mark and grading according to clearly defined criteria for assessing their knowledge, skills and abilities in line with MLOs 1-4. They will also receive written feedback showing areas in which they have done well, and those areas in which they need to improve that will contribute to their progress.

Indicative reading

  • E. Annandale (2014) The Sociology of Health and Medicine, 2nd edn, Polity.
  • J. Butler (2010) Frames of War. When is Life Grievable? Verso
  • W. Cockerham and G. Cockerham. Health and Globalization. Polity
  • S. Davis (2009) Global Politics of Health. Polity
  • D. Dickenson (2008) Body Shopping. Converting body parts into profit. One World Press.
  • S. Elbe (2010) Security and Global Health. Polity
  • J. Tritter et al. (2010) Globalisation, Markets and Healthcare Policy. Routledge.
  • P Wald (2008) Contagious: cultures, carriers and the outbreak narrative. Duke University Press.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.