BETH 5103 - Biomedicine and Society

This unit explores how human societies shape biomedical institutions and are shaped by them. An extended case study will be used to introduce different disciplinary perspectives on this theme including sociology, anthropology, linguistics, philosophy, and ethics. Students will consider issues such as power in the biomedical professions and industries; the illness experience; the role of the healer; biomedicine and indigenous cultures and non-western notions of illness and care. Learning activities include weekly evening facilitated seminar discussions, online learning activities and essays.

Next offered Semester 2, 2009 as weekly seminars on Wednesday evenings from 6-8 pm, weeks 1 - 13. See the timetable for class rooms.

Contact course co-ordinator
Dr Chris Jordans
Ph: +61 2 9036 3406