sociology205-nationalcenterforruralhealthprofessions.docVIP

Sociology 205 Poverty, Race, and Health Fall 2004 Instructor: David R. Williams Description: This course critically examines the health status of the poor, and of major racial/ethnic minority groups in the United States. Attention will be focused on the patterned ways in which the health of these groups is embedded in the social, cultural, political, and economic contexts and arrangements of U.S. society. Topics covered include the meaning and measurement of race, the ways in which racism affects health, the historic uses of minorities in medical research, how acculturation and migration affects health, and an examination of the specific health problems that disproportionately affect minority group members. Required Reading: 1. Coursepack available from coursetools: /2004/fall/soc/205/001.nsf OR /mycourses 2. Abraham, Laurie. Mama Might be Better Off Dead: The Failure of Health Care in Urban America. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1993. 3. Ehrenreich, Barbara. Nickel and Dimed: on (not) getting by in America. New York: Henry Holt Co., 2001. 4. Viramontes, Helena Maria. Under the Feet of Jesus. New York: PLUME, 1996. (Books are available at Shaman Drum bookstore University Reserves) COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND DUE DATES: 1. Class discussion 2. Book reviews: Each student will prepare a report on the three required texts: a. Nickel and Dimed, Due October 5 b. Under the Feet of Jesus, Due November 4 c. Mama Might be Better Off Dead, Due December 2 Each review (about 4 double-spaced pages) should consist of a brief summary (no more than 1 page) and especially a critical evaluation and reaction to the book (3 pages). Guidelines for the Review Focus on offering your ideas about the book. Do not lapse into summarizing. Instead, identify the author(s) major thesis and the logic of the argument. Evaluate both thoroughly. What do you think of the authors thesis and logic? How did he or she handle each? (You may agree with the overa