Introduction to the Study of Health and Society
Overview
- The Sociological imagination
- Historical, social, and political contexts of health
- Models of health
- Biomedical model
- Health promotion model
- Social model
- Approaches within the social model of health
- Life course
- Materialist
- Political
- Social capital and inclusion
- Sociological theories and their applicability to the study of health
- Canada’s Health Care System
- History
- Structure and delivery of services
- Access and experience
- Social determinants of health
- Social structures influencing access to, and experiences of, health and illness
- Social identities (e.g., age, (dis)ability, social class, gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, indigeneity)
- Social institutions (e.g., education, media, government, economy, family)
- Social construction of health and illness within sport, leisure, and exercise
- Self-surveillance
- The sport-health ideological nexus
- The sport paradox
- Healthism
- Health ideologies and discourses
- Health as a cultural expression
- Research methods in health research
- Qualitative
- Quantitative
- Mixed methods
Class time will be used for lectures, discussions, debates, problem-solving activities, and/or in-class assignments. Work outside of classtime may include applied research activities.
Assessment will be in accordance with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy. The instructor will present a written course outline with specific evaluation criteria at the beginning of the semester. Evaluation will be based on the following:
Individual Assignments | 15-25% |
Group Assignments | 15-20% |
Participation | 0-10% |
Test(s) | 15-70% |
Final Exam | 0-30% |
Total | 100% |
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- identify and apply sociological theories and models of health to health-related situations;
- critically assess and discuss the complex ways social, political, economic, and cultural conditions impact the health of individuals and communities;
- identify and critically discuss the relationship between social determinants and health inequities;
- identify dimensions of health (e.g., physical, social, emotional, mental, spiritual) and explain how they are interrelated to as well as impacted by the social conditions;
- critically discuss the Canadian health care system and its impact on individual and community health;
- explain how health is impacted by social and cultural conditions;
- critically discuss and assess how the cultural beliefs and social practices of sport, exercise, and physical activity shape experiences and understandings of health and “healthy” bodies;
- apply research literacy skills of interpretation, synthesis, and application of peer-reviewed, health-related research studies;
- combine various research methods to the study of a health-related topic.
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Consult the Douglas College Bookstore for the latest required textbooks and materials. Example textbooks and materials may include:
- SPSC 2205 (Health and Society) Course Pack
Requisites
Course Guidelines
Course Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this course and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the course, consider the previous version as the applicable version.
Course Transfers to Other Institutions
Below are current transfer agreements from Douglas College to other institutions for the current course guidelines only. For a full list of transfer details and archived courses, please see the BC Transfer Guide.
Institution | Transfer details for SPSC 2205 |
---|---|
Athabasca University (AU) | AU SOCI 2XX (3) |
Capilano University (CAPU) | CAPU HKIN 261 (3) |
Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) | KPU SOCI 2XXX (3) |
Langara College (LANG) | LANG KINS 2262 (3) |
Nicola Valley Institute of Technology (NVIT) | No credit |
North Island College (NIC) | NIC EXW 1XX (3) |
Simon Fraser University (SFU) | SFU BPK 1XX (3) |
Thompson Rivers University (TRU) | TRU PHED 2XXX (3) |
Trinity Western University (TWU) | TWU HKIN 325 (3) |
University of British Columbia - Okanagan (UBCO) | UBCO HES_O 130 (3) |
University of British Columbia - Vancouver (UBCV) | UBCV KIN_V 262 (3) |
University of British Columbia - Vancouver (UBCV) | UBCV KIN_V 261 (3) |
University of Northern BC (UNBC) | UNBC SOSC 2XX (3) |
University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) | UFV KIN 261 (3) |
University of Victoria (UVIC) | UVIC EPHE 347 (1.5) |
Vancouver Island University (VIU) | VIU KIN 260 (3) |
Course Offerings
Winter 2026
CRN | Days | Instructor | Status | More details |
---|---|---|---|---|
CRN
12910
|
Tue Thu | Instructor last name
Lake
Instructor first name
Rob
|
Course status
Open
|
CRN | Days | Instructor | Status | More details |
---|---|---|---|---|
CRN
14885
|
Mon Wed | Instructor last name
Falls
Instructor first name
Dominique
|
Course status
Open
|