SPEC.HLST - Health Studies - Specialization

The Specialization in Health Studies is open to single- and joint-major Honours students in Sociology who are interested in a career related to medical sociology, health care systems, or critical research in health and illness. The specialization provides students with course options designed for in-depth examination of theoretical and methodological approaches to health-related topics.

This specialization offers students several courses throughout their degree program that focus on conceptualizations of health, illness, and disease, social determinants of health, medical sociology, the intersections of gender, race, and health, and review and critique of the social organization of health care. In their final year, students may explore such topics as health policy and health activism, with opportunities for research practica, community-based research courses, and thesis courses with faculty members.

Students who have fulfilled the requirements for an Honours degree in Sociology may graduate with a Specialization in Health Studies if they have successfully completed the following 4.0 credits:

• 1.0 SOCI credit consisting of SOCI 2630H and 3631H

• 3.0 SOCI credits from:

  • SOCI 2015H, 2220H, 2500H, 2601H, 3250H, 3341H, 3420H, 3440H, 3630H, 4050H, 4410H, 4420H, 4510H, 4512H, 4551H, 4620H, 4850H

  • Or with prior approval of the department, reading courses (SOCI 3900Y, 3901H, 3902H, 4900Y, 4901H, 4902H), community-based research courses (SOCI 3570Y, 3580H, 4570Y, 4580H), research practica (SOCI 4021Y, 4022H, 4023H), or thesis courses (SOCI 4010Y or 4020D) that are primarily health-focused in content