Goal

Public health interventions take place in a social, cultural and political context which shapes attitudes and behaviours around health. Through the transformation of values, images of the body, conceptions of risk, illness and health, socio-cultural change is influencing globally health issues in contemporary societies. With this interdisciplinary module, students will develop competencies which allow them to integrate and apply a social science perspective in public health activities. After the module, students will be able

• to integrate social theory concepts in their practice of public health
• to assess the impact of these social theory concepts on health law, policy, management etc.
• to take into account socio-cultural change when designing and assessing public health strategies and interventions
• to anticipate and monitor a population's reception of public health strategies

Contents

The module will be focused on social theory concepts which are most relevant for health issues, including medicalization, risk, empowerment and reflexivity. Sociocultural change will be approached with concepts and methods used in the social sciences (sociology, anthropology, social psychology).

Methods

The module will combine lectures, discussion of texts, group work and the development of a case study relating to one specific health issue.

Exam

Group work during the module and personal essay at the end of the module

Preparation and postprocessing

7 hours preparation, 8 hours postprocessing

ECTS Credits

2 ECTS Credits

Target audience

Health professionals with basic knowledge of public health

Organisation

Département de Sociologie, Université de Genève
Institut für Sozial- und Präventivmedizin der Universität Bern

Module lead

Prof. Dr. Claudine Burton-Jeangros, Département de Sociologie, Université de Genève

Lecturers and tutors

Prof. Dr. Claudine Burton-Jeangros and invited speakers

Dates

16, 23, 30 April 2021 and 7 May 2021

Location

Bern

Fees

CHF 1'600.-

Registration deadline

16.02.2021

Additional information

The teaching language is English.

Lessons (16, 23, 30 April 2021 and 7 May 2021): 12:30 h – 17:30 h

The module will be taught in distance education mode if required by COVID-19 regulations.