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PHS204Health Sciences3 Unitsintermediate

Introduction To Sociology

This course introduces students to the fundamental concepts of sociology and its relevance to public health. It explores the social settings within communities, human interactions, and their relationships with health and social factors. The course examines the causes and consequences of human behaviors, particularly as they relate to health and illness. It also focuses on the formal organization of healthcare, social functions of health institutions, and the social patterns of health services.

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40h
Study Time
13
Weeks
3h
Per Week
none
Math Level
Course Keywords
SociologySocietyHealthSocial FactorsHuman Behavior

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Intermediate Level
Builds on foundational knowledge
65%
intermediate
📚
Math Level
No Math
📖
Learning Type
Theoretical Focus

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

Sociology

2

Society

3

Social Interaction

4

Social Institutions

5

Culture

6

Social Change

Total Topics6 topics

Ready to Start

No specific requirements needed

This course is designed to be accessible to all students. You can start immediately without any prior knowledge or specific preparation.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (3 methods)

Assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Tutor-Marked Assessments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Final Examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Computer Based Test

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Public Health Officer

Apply your skills in this growing field

Social Worker

Apply your skills in this growing field

Community Health Worker

Apply your skills in this growing field

Health Educator

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

HealthcareSocial ServicesCommunity DevelopmentGovernment

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week
1

Module 1: Meaning of Sociology and Society

2h

Unit 1: Meaning of Sociology and Society

2 study hours
  • Define sociology and its relevance to public health.
  • Explain the derivation of the term 'sociology' from Latin and Greek roots.
  • Discuss the purposes of society and their implications for public health practice.
Week
2

Module 1: Meaning of Sociology and Society

2h

Unit 2: Society, Nature and Individuals

2 study hours
  • Analyze the relationship between society and nature.
  • Explain how society sustains individuals and communities.
  • Discuss the reality of society based on diverse human experiences.
  • Identify public health implications of the interdependence between society, nature, and individuals.
Week
3

Module 1: Meaning of Sociology and Society

2h

Unit 3: Sociology and Human Society

2 study hours
  • Explain the goals of sociology in relation to other sciences of human interaction.
  • Classify societies based on social organization (hunting and gathering, horticultural, agrarian, industrial).
  • Highlight key points in the sociological view of society and their relevance to public health.
Week
4

Module 1: Meaning of Sociology and Society

2h

Unit 4: Origin and Development of Sociology

2 study hours
  • Explain the origins of sociology as a discipline.
  • Highlight key developments within sociology.
  • Describe factors that influenced the expansion of sociology.
  • Discuss the implications of sociological origins for public health practice.
Week
5

Module 1: Meaning of Sociology and Society

2h

Unit 5: The Subject Matter of Sociology

2 study hours
  • Identify different methods adopted by sociologists in the study of human society (historical, empirical, analytical).
  • Differentiate between each method used by sociologists.
  • Explain the general outline and groupings of the subject matter of sociology.
Week
6

Module 2: Perspectives of Sociology

2h

Unit 1: Founding Fathers of Sociology

2 study hours
  • List the founding fathers of sociology and their specific contributions.
  • Describe the latest shifts in emphasis among founding fathers of sociology.
  • Discuss Auguste Comte and positivism, Herbert Spencer and social Darwinism, Karl Marx and class conflict, Emile Durkheim and social integration, Max Weber and Protestant ethic.
Week
7

Module 2: Perspectives of Sociology

2h

Unit 2: Perspectives of Sociology

2 study hours
  • Explain the broader social context of individuals and groups.
  • Discuss the contrasts presented in sociological perspectives (seeing the general in the particular, seeing the strange in the familiar, seeing individual in social context).
  • Explain the benefits of sociological perspectives for public health practitioners.
Week
8

Module 2: Perspectives of Sociology

2h

Unit 3: The Scientific Study of Society

2 study hours
  • Explain why the study of society is a science.
  • Identify laws in the social sciences.
  • Compare social and natural sciences.
  • Explain the nature of scientific explanation in the context of sociological research.
Week
9

Module 2: Perspectives of Sociology

2h

Unit 4: Sociological Analysis

2 study hours
  • Describe the discipline of sociology and its unique approach to social analysis.
  • Explain the difference between sociology and other concrete sciences.
  • Understand the levels of analysis in sociology (interpersonal, group, societal).
Week
10

Module 2: Perspectives of Sociology

2h

Unit 5: Social Interaction and Processes

2 study hours
  • Explain the relative closeness (or distance) in social interaction.
  • Describe the dimensions of competition as opposition.
  • Present the typology of cooperation and adjustment in social processes.
Week
11

Module 2: Perspectives of Sociology

2h

Unit 6: Social Epidemiology and Social Determinants of Health

2 study hours
  • Explain major social issues related to population and individual health.
  • Explain health issues from a sociological perspective.
  • Explain health inequalities and their consequences.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of ethnic inequalities, gender inequalities, and social inequalities of health.
Week
12

Module 3: Social Movements and Collective Behaviour

4h

Unit 1: Social Movements and Collective Behaviour

2 study hours
  • Explain the different types of social movements (general, specific, expressive, revival, nationalistic).
  • Discuss the stages of development of social movements (social unrest, popular excitement, formalized organization, institutionalization).
  • Describe the possible types of collective behavior (crowds, audiences, publics, masses).

Unit 2: Social Organisation and Roles

2 study hours
  • Explain the concept of social organization.
  • Describe the levels of social organization (interpersonal, group, societal).
  • Discuss the relationship between roles and status in social structures.
Week
13

Module 3: Social Movements and Collective Behaviour

4h

Unit 3: Groups and Human Relationships

2 study hours
  • Explain the nature of groups in society.
  • Explain the sociological definition of groups.
  • Describe the classifications of groups (primary, secondary, in-groups, out-groups, reference groups, membership groups, involuntary groups, voluntary groups).

Unit 4: Groups and Normative Patterns

2 study hours
  • Explain the common characteristics of groups.
  • Discuss the relationship between small and large societies.
  • Make distinctions between values, norms, and folkways in different social contexts.

This study schedule is in beta and may not be accurate. Please use it as a guide and consult the course outline for the most accurate information.

Course PDF Material

Read the complete course material as provided by NOUN.

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Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Create concept maps linking Module 1's sociological theories to Module 2's health applications.

2

Review key definitions from Units 1-5 weekly.

3

Practice applying sociological perspectives to case studies of health disparities.

4

Focus on understanding the functions and dysfunctions of social institutions from Module 4.

5

Prepare detailed outlines summarizing the main points of each unit.

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