Often hailed as the penultimate exemplar of objective science, the application of modern biomedicine occurs in a complex environment of subjectively competing forces, interests, and realities. Along with physiological and biological factors - cultural values, attitudes, and belief systems play an important role in shaping our notions of illness and health. This seminar will acquaint students with the major social, cultural, and behavioral phenomena that guide and influence health- related behaviors and outcomes - including our perceptions of what constitutes health and illness. Central to these discussions will be the notion of "social structure" - which includes the overarching "matrix" of cultural, political, and economic forces which guide (often implicitly) our actions, behaviors, and responses to health and illness. Broadly speaking, course content will address the following questions:  How is "health" and "illness" culturally defined? What is "normal"?  From what sources do individuals get health information?  What factors influence individual health behaviors?  Why do health disparities exist among social groups?  What roles do the health professions play in shaping behaviors?

Often hailed as the penultimate exemplar of objective science, the application of modern biomedicine occurs in a complex environment of subjectively competing forces, interests, and realities. Along with physiological and biological factors - cultural values, attitudes, and belief systems play an important role in shaping our notions of illness and health. This seminar will acquaint students with the major social, cultural, and behavioral phenomena that guide and influence health- related behaviors and outcomes - including our perceptions of what constitutes health and illness. Central to these discussions will be the notion of "social structure" - which includes the overarching "matrix" of cultural, political, and economic forces which guide (often implicitly) our actions, behaviors, and responses to health and illness. Broadly speaking, course content will address the following questions:  How is "health" and "illness" culturally defined? What is "normal"?  From what sources do individuals get health information?  What factors influence individual health behaviors?  Why do health disparities exist among social groups?  What roles do the health professions play in shaping behaviors?