Health Care–Social Issues
OFFICE: Interdisciplinary Programs, EBU 3B, Computer Science and Engineering
Building, Room 1108, Warren College
http://warren.ucsd.edu/health
Health Care–Social Issues is an interdisciplinary minor designed to enhance students’ competence in analyzing complex social and ethical implications and ramifications of health care issues, policies, and delivery systems. Students gain an understanding of how the economy, culture, technology, sociological and psychological processes influence modern health care. Although it is administered by Warren College, it is available to all UCSD students with a general interest in health care as well as to students considering health care careers. This minor offers UCSD students the opportunity to examine health care-related issues from the perspectives of a wide range of disciplines that include anthropology, contemporary issues, economics, ethnic studies, philosophy, psychology, sociology, urban studies, science and technology. By bringing together course work from these academic departments, this interdisciplinary curriculum offers a breadth of intellectual experience that enhances students’ undergraduate education and their preparation for professional and postgraduate education in health care professions.
Students should consult an academic advisor in their college provost’s office to determine how the health care–social issues minor can best meet their college’s graduation requirements. Declarations must first be reviewed and approved by the coordinator of the Health Care–Social Issues Program and then by the student’s college academic advising office.
Students are strongly urged to supplement the health care–social issues minor with a health-related internship. The Academic Internship Program offers internship placements in clinical settings and with medical research teams that provide valuable experience, career clarification, and an opportunity to apply theories learned in course work. Juniors and seniors with at least a 2.5 overall grade-point average (some placements require a 3.0 GPA) are eligible and can earn from four to sixteen units of academic credit for the internship experience.
Further information on related programs and activities is available at the Warren College Interdisciplinary Programs Office.
Health Care–Social Issues Minor Requirements
The minor consists of seven courses (three required and four electives). At least five courses must be taken at the upper-division level. Upper-division courses must not overlap with courses in the student’s major. No more than three elective courses may be taken in any one discipline. For full descriptions of the following courses, please see departmental listings.
The health care–social issues minor is applicable as a Warren College program of concentration in the social sciences.
Required Courses
Sociology/L 40—Sociology of Health Care Issues
Philosophy 163—Bio-Medical Ethics
One course in Urban Studies and Planning chosen from the following:
143—The U.S. Health Care System
144—Environmental and Preventive Health Issues
145—Aging: Social and Health Policy Issues
147—Case Studies in Health Care Programs: The Poor and Undeserved
(Additional urban studies and planning courses may be taken to fulfill elective requirements in the minor.)
Elective Course Options
Anthropology
ANLD 2—Human Origins
ANBI 101—Topics in Biomedical
Anthropology
ANBI 141—The Evolution of Human Diet
ANGN 100—Topics in
Sociocultural Anthropology (approval required)
ANGN 128—The Anthropology of Medicine
Contemporary Issues
22—Human Sexuality
40—The AIDS Epidemic
136—The Anthropology of Medicine
Economics
138A-B—Economics of Health
Ethnic Studies
142—Medicine, Race, and the Global Politics of Inequality
Philosophy
147—Philosophy of Biology
148—Philosophy and the Environment
151—Philosophy of Neuroscience
162—Contemporary Moral Issues
164—Technology and Human Values
Psychology
2—General Psychology: Biological Foundations
60—Introduction to Statistics
104—Introduction to Social Psychology
124—Introduction to Clinical Psychology
132—Hormones and Behavior
134—Eating Disorders
153—Clinical Psychology
154—Behavior Modification
155—Social Psychology and Medicine
163—Abnormal Psychology
168—Psychological Disorders of Childhood
169—Brain Damage and Mental Function
172—Psychology of Human Sexuality
179—Drugs, Addiction, and Mental Disorders
181—Drugs and Behavior
188—Impulse Control Disorders
Science, Technology, and Public Affairs
181—Elements of International Medicine
Sociology
Soc/L 60—The Practice of Social Research
Cluster B
Soc/B 120S—Special Topics in Culture, Language, and Social Interaction
(prior approval of topic required)
Soc/B 143—Suicide
Cluster C
Soc/L 134A—The Making of Modern Medicine
Soc/L 134B—Medicine in the Twentieth Century
Soc/L 135—Medical Sociology
Soc/L 136A—Sociology of Mental Illness: Historical Approach
Soc/L 136B—Sociology of Mental Illness in Contemporary Society
Soc/L 137—Knowledge and Practice in Biomedicine
Soc/L 138—Genetics and Society
Soc/L 159—Special Topics in Social Organizations and Institutions (prior approval
of topic required)
Urban Studies and Planning
143—The U.S. Health Care System
144—Environmental and Preventive Health Issues
145—Aging: Social and Health Policy Issues
147—Case Studies in Health Care Programs: The Poor and Undeserved
Students may petition to substitute courses in the minor that have substantial content related to health and society. Petitions should be submitted to the Warren College Interdisciplinary Programs Office.
Recommended Internship Experience
A health care-related internship (AIP 197) is recommended and should be arranged at least one quarter in advance through the Academic Internship Program, Literature Building, Second Floor. Clinical and research placements are available. For each four units of credit, ten hours per week for one quarter plus a ten-page research paper are required.
