Minor in Social Science and Medicine

Students on Summer 2018, Fall 2018, or Spring 2019 requirements SSMEDMIN

This minor allows students to explore the social origins of health and disease and the delivery and consumption of medical services, paying special attention to relevant social, historical, behavioral, and ethical contexts. The minor facilitates and certifies a greater understanding of the social context of health than could be achieved in a less integrated course of study. It emphasizes a multidisciplinary approach to health issues that establishes a bridge between the social sciences and health profession studies.

Requirements

The minor requires at least 15 credit hours, including the requirements listed below.

Introductory course. One (1) course:
- SOC-S 101 Social Problems and Policies (approved topic: "Medicine in America")
SOC-S 101 Social Problems and Policies
Credits
3
Prerequisites
None
Description
Introduces sociology through in-depth study of a major social problem; examines research on the problem; and explores alternative policies. Problems treated vary by section. Examples include the environment; women, men, and work; medicine in America; the sociology of sport; alcohol and drug use.
Repeatability
May be repeated with different topics for a maximum of 15 credit hours. May be counted only once in the major toward departmental requirements.
- Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
Electives*.
1. Advanced College Electives. Two (2) courses:
  - SOC-S 321 Sexual Diversity
  - SOC-S 324 Sociology of Mental Illness
  - SOC-S 358 Social Inequalities in Health and Health Care
  - SOC-S 365 Health and Society: Sociology for Health Professionals
  - ANTH-B 312 Evolutionary Medicine
  - ANTH-B 340 Hormones and Human Behavior
  - ANTH-B 370 Human Variation
  - ANTH-A 467 Topics in Medical Anthropology
  - BIOL-L 318 Evolution
  - CJUS-P 412 Sex, Drugs, AIDS, and Criminal Law
  - CJUS-P 415 Crime and Madness
  - HIST-H 333 Epidemics in History
  - INTL-I 302 Advanced Topics in Global Health and Environment
  - PSY-P 303 Health Psychology
  - PSY-P 318 Foundations of Clinical Science
  - PSY-P 324 Abnormal Psychology
  - PSY-P 346 Neuroscience
  - PSY-P 425 Behavior Disorders of Childhood and Adolescence
  - PSY-P 480 Psychotherapy: Empirically Supported Treatments
  - REL-C 402 Religion, Illness, and Healing
  SOC-S 321 Sexual Diversity
  Credits
  3
  Prerequisites
  None
  Description
  Sociological examination of diversity in several dimensions of human sexuality: sexual definitions, incidence of various behaviors, intensity of sexual response, sexual object choice, and other modes of sexual expression.
  Fall 2024CASE DUScourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE DUScourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE DUScourse
  
  Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
  SOC-S 324 Sociology of Mental Illness
  Credits
  3
  Prerequisites
  None
  Description
  Social factors in mental illness: incidence and prevalence by social and cultural categories; variations in societal reaction; social organization of treatment institutions.
  Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
  SOC-S 358 Social Inequalities in Health and Health Care
  Credits
  3
  Prerequisites
  None
  Description
  Examines the sociological aspects of health, illness, patienthood, medical professionals, and health care systems. What factors create inequalities in health and in medical treatment? Expands understanding of health and illness and of conventional medical and insurance practices, and explores ways to improve health care in America.
  Fall 2024CASE DUScourse
  
  Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
  SOC-S 365 Health and Society: Sociology for Health Professionals
  Credits
  3
  Prerequisites
  None
  Description
  Designed for all students, this course is particularly relevant for those planning a career in health care. Explores current events and social problems, such as the re-emergence of childhood infectious diseases. Uses these examples to discuss sociological topics on the new Medical College Admission Test (MCAT).
  Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
  ANTH-B 312 Evolutionary Medicine
  Credits
  3
  Prerequisites
  ANTH-B 200; or consent of instructor
  Description
  Incorporates principles from evolutionary theory into our understanding of various infectious and chronic diseases common to human populations both past and present. Although proximate mechanisms involving physiology and behavior will be discussed, the focus will be to determine why such mechanisms have evolved in the first place.
  Fall 2024CASE NMcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE NMcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE NMcourse
  ANTH-B 340 Hormones and Human Behavior
  Credits
  3
  Prerequisites
  At least junior standing; or consent of instructor
  Notes
  R: College-level introductory biology course or ANTH-B 200
  Description
  Reviews the roles of hormones in the evolution and expression of human and nonhuman animal behaviors. Emphasis placed on behaviors associated with aggression, stress, mating, and parenting. Particularly relevant for students interested in human health and the environment.
  Fall 2024CASE NMcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE NMcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE NMcourse
  ANTH-B 370 Human Variation
  Credits
  3
  Prerequisites
  ANTH-B 200; or consent of instructor
  Description
  Explores the variation within and between human populations in morphology (anatomy), physiology, genetics, and behavior with a focus on evolutionary processes acting on humans in the past, present and future to shape our body and genes.
  Fall 2024CASE NMcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE NMcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE NMcourse
  ANTH-A 467 Topics in Medical Anthropology
  
  Credits
  3
  Prerequisites
  Junior standing; or consent of instructor
  Description
  In-depth perspectives on central topics in contemporary medical anthropology. Focus varies and may include such topics as HIV-AIDS in cross-cultural context; anthropological perspectives on disability; child health and nutrition; health and structural inequalities; and medical anthropology of gender and reproduction.
  Repeatability
  May be repeated with a different topic for a maximum of 6 credit hours.
  
  BIOL-L 318 Evolution
  
  Credits
  3
  Prerequisites
  BIOL-L 111; and BIOL-L 211 or BIOL-S 211
  Description
  Provides a rigorous exploration of the theory of evolution--the conceptual core of biology. Topics include origins and history of life; the interplay of heredity and environment in shaping adaptations; molecular, behavioral, and social evolution; patterns of speciation, extinction, and their consequences; methods for inferring evolutionary relationships among organisms.
  Repeatability
  Credit given for only one of the following: BIOL-L 318, BIOL-L 479, or BIOL-S 318.
  CJUS-P 412 Sex, Drugs, AIDS, and Criminal Law
  Credits
  3
  Prerequisites
  None
  Description
  An ethnographic and legal analysis of the AIDS epidemic and its implications for criminal justice. Consideration of the institutional, scientific, and symbolic dimensions of the epidemic and of ethnographic research regarding illegal behaviors, and the transmission of HIV.
  Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
  CJUS-P 415 Crime and Madness
  Credits
  3
  Prerequisites
  None
  Description
  The study of the chronic mentally ill and of career criminals. Examination of the groups so labeled, the responses of the criminal justice and mental health systems to them, and their movement back and forth between the streets, prisons, and psychiatric centers.
  Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
  HIST-H 333 Epidemics in History
  Credits
  3
  Prerequisites
  None
  Description
  Epidemic infectious disease in human history, explored in a wide variety of cultures and civilizations.
  Fall 2024CASE GCCcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE GCCcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE GCCcourse
  
  Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
  INTL-I 302 Advanced Topics in Global Health and Environment
  
  Credits
  3
  Prerequisites
  None
  Description
  Advanced topics examining pressing health and environmental challenges around the world. Focuses on the interaction of health and environmental problems that cross national borders and require a multinational or global effort to solve.
  Repeatability
  May be repeated with a different topic for a maximum of 12 credit hours.
  PSY-P 303 Health Psychology
  Credits
  3
  Prerequisites
  PSY-P 101 and PSY-P 102; or PSY-P 155
  Description
  Focuses on the role of psychological factors in health and illness. Through readings, lecture, and discussion, students will become better consumers of research on behavior-health interactions and develop a broad base of knowledge concerning how behaviors and other psychological factors can affect health both positively and negatively.
  Fall 2024CASE NMcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE NMcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE NMcourse
  PSY-P 318 Foundations of Clinical Science
  
  Credits
  3
  Prerequisites
  PSY-P 155; or PSY-P 101 and PSY-P 102; and PSY-P211
  Description
  A foundational course that examines clinical phenomena and their treatments from a scientific perspective. Emphasizes critical thinking and its importance in clinical practice. Focuses on questions, methods, findings, and applications drawn from clinical science and on ways to apply scientific knowledge and approaches to clinical practices.
  PSY-P 324 Abnormal Psychology
  Credits
  3
  Prerequisites
  PSY-P 101 and PSY-P 102; or PSY-P 155
  Description
  A first course in abnormal psychology with emphasis on forms of abnormal behavior, etiology, development, interpretation, and final manifestations.
  Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
  PSY-P 346 Neuroscience
  
  Credits
  3
  Prerequisites
  PSY-P 101 or PSY-P 155
  Notes
  R: 3 credits of Biology such as BIOL-L 100, BIOL-L 104, BIOL-L 111, BIOL-L 112, BIOL-A 215, or BIOL-P 215
  Description
  A survey of contemporary neuroscience, examining the neural basis of behavior with approaches including molecular, cellular, developmental, cognitive, and behavioral neuroscience. Sensory and motor function, learning and memory, and other behaviors are considered using anatomical, physiological, behavioral, biochemical, and genetic approaches, providing a balanced view of neuroscience.
  Repeatability
  Credit given for only one of PSY-P 326 or PSY-P 346.
  
  PSY-P 425 Behavior Disorders of Childhood and Adolescence
  
  Credits
  3
  Prerequisites
  PSY-P 324
  Description
  A survey of major behavior disorders, with emphasis on empirical research and clinical description relative to etiology, assessment, prognosis, and treatment.
  
  PSY-P 480 Psychotherapy: Empirically Supported Treatments
  
  Credits
  3
  Prerequisites
  PSY-P 102 or PSY-P 155; and PSY-P 211; and PSY-K 300 or PSY-K 310 or equivalent
  Description
  Introduces the evidence-based, or empirically supported, movement for selecting psychological interventions; research methods for evaluating interventions and related issues (e.g., therapy process); examples of empirically supported treatments (ESTs) for selected disorders; and issues regarding implementation of ESTs to the real world and future directions.
  REL-C 402 Religion, Illness, and Healing
  Credits
  3
  Prerequisites
  None
  Description
  What is the meaning of illness and healing? Is religion good or bad for health? How should healthcare providers respond to patients' religious beliefs? What is the relationship between complementary and alternative medicine or prayer and religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, or Christianity? This course is ideal for pre-med, pre-law, business/management, and other interested students.
  Fall 2024CASE AHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE AHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE AHcourse
  
  Fall 2024CASE DUScourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE DUScourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE DUScourse
2. Intermediate College Elective. One (1) course:
  - Additional course from the Advanced College Electives list
  - ANTH-B 200 Bioanthropology
  - ANTH-B 260 Biocultural Medical Anthropology
  - FOLK-F 215 Folklore, Health, and Illness
  - HIST-A 240 Get Me Out! The History of Birth
  - HIST-H 213 The Black Death
  - HIST-H 239 Blood and Guts! An Introduction to the History of Western Medicine from Antiquity to the Present
  - INTL-I 202 Global Health and Environment
  ANTH-B 200 Bioanthropology
  Credits
  4
  Prerequisites
  None
  Description
  Introduction to the natural history of humans (Homo sapiens). Includes coverage of evolutionary theory and its relevance for understanding contemporary human biology, genetics and inheritance, description and analysis of human biological variation and adaptation, human-environment biocultural interactions, similarities and differences between humans and non-human primates, and the fossil record for primate and human evolution.
  Fall 2024CASE NMcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE NMcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE NMcourse
  ANTH-B 260 Biocultural Medical Anthropology
  Credits
  3
  Prerequisites
  None
  Description
  A survey of health and disease from a biocultural perspective, which incorporates the evolutionary, ecological, and sociocultural context of health and disease to answer such questions as why we get sick and why there is population variation in the risk of becoming sick. Topics include reproductive, infectious, and chronic diseases.
  Fall 2024CASE NMcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE NMcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE NMcourse
  FOLK-F 215 Folklore, Health, and Illness
  Credits
  3
  Prerequisites
  None
  Description
  Focuses on concepts of health and illness in traditional cultures and societies. Addresses a variety of cross-cultural situations from the East and the West; special emphasis on Middle Eastern Arab traditions (Muslim, Christian, and Jewish). A student may conduct research on a traditional community in any part of the world.
  Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
  HIST-A 240 Get Me Out! The History of Birth
  Credits
  3
  Prerequisites
  None
  Description
  A history of childbirth in North America, focusing on birthing women, midwives and doctors, from the 17th century to the present day.
  Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
  HIST-H 213 The Black Death
  Credits
  3
  Prerequisites
  None
  Description
  Europe in the age of bubonic plague, 1348-1715, with emphasis on changes in climate, population, food supplies, public health measures, economy, social relations, and religious and artistic responses to disaster.
  Fall 2024CASE GCCcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE GCCcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE GCCcourse
  
  Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
  HIST-H 239 Blood and Guts! An Introduction to the History of Western Medicine from Antiquity to the Present
  Credits
  3
  Prerequisites
  None
  Description
  The history of medicine can best be understood in the context of the society of which it is a part. Stories of health and illness are placed within deeper historical contexts to enhance understanding of past societies.
  Fall 2024CASE GCCcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE GCCcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE GCCcourse
  
  Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
  INTL-I 202 Global Health and Environment
  Credits
  3
  Prerequisites
  None
  Description
  Examination of pressing health and environmental challenges around the world, such as deforestation, climate change and the spread of infectious diseases. Focuses on the interaction of health and environmental problems that cross national borders and require a multinational or global effort to solve.
  Fall 2024CASE GCCcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE GCCcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE GCCcourse
  
  Fall 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Summer 2024CASE SHcourse
  
  Spring 2024CASE SHcourse
3. Free Elective. One (1) course:
  - Additional course from the Advanced College Electives list
  - Additional course from the Intermediate College Elective list
  - MSCI-M 440 HEALTH CARE IN AMERICA
  - SPEA-H 322 PRINCIPLES OF EPIDEMIOLOGY
  - SPEA-H 352 HEALTHCARE FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT I
  - SPEA-H 353 HEALTHCARE FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT II
  - SPEA-H 354 HEALTH ECONOMICS
  - SPEA-H 401 STRATEGIC PLANNING IN HEALTH ORGANIZATIONS
  - SPEA-H 402 HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATION
  - SPEA-H 456 HEALTHCARE REIMBURSEMENT
  - SPH-B 310 HLTH CARE IN DIVERSE COMMUNITIES
  - SPH-B 315 HEALTH IN THE LATER YEARS
  - SPH-B 335 AGING, HEALTH AND DIVERSE POPULATIONS
  - SPH-B 354 MULTIDIS PERSP IN GERONTOLOGY
  - SPH-B 366 COMMUNITY HEALTH
  - SPH-B 403 PUBLIC HEALTH PROGRAM PLANNING
  - SPH-H 172 INTL HEALTH & SOCIAL ISSUES
  - SPH-H 319 GLOBAL HEALTH PROMOTION
  - SPH-H 418 THE NATURE OF ADDICTION
  - SPH-E 311 INTRODUCTION TO EPIDEMIOLOGY
  MSCI-M 440 HEALTH CARE IN AMERICA
  
  Credits
  3–3 credit hours
  Prerequisites
  None
  Description
  None
  
  SPEA-H 322 PRINCIPLES OF EPIDEMIOLOGY
  
  Credits
  3–3 credit hours
  Prerequisites
  None
  Description
  None
  
  SPEA-H 352 HEALTHCARE FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT I
  
  Credits
  3–3 credit hours
  Prerequisites
  None
  Description
  None
  
  SPEA-H 353 HEALTHCARE FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT II
  
  Credits
  3–3 credit hours
  Prerequisites
  None
  Description
  None
  
  SPEA-H 354 HEALTH ECONOMICS
  
  Credits
  3–3 credit hours
  Prerequisites
  None
  Description
  None
  
  SPEA-H 401 STRATEGIC PLANNING IN HEALTH ORGANIZATIONS
  
  Credits
  3–3 credit hours
  Prerequisites
  None
  Description
  None
  
  SPEA-H 402 HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATION
  
  Credits
  3–3 credit hours
  Prerequisites
  None
  Description
  None
  
  SPEA-H 456 HEALTHCARE REIMBURSEMENT
  
  Credits
  3–3 credit hours
  Prerequisites
  None
  Description
  None
  
  SPH-B 310 HLTH CARE IN DIVERSE COMMUNITIES
  
  Credits
  3–3 credit hours
  Prerequisites
  None
  Description
  None
  
  SPH-B 315 HEALTH IN THE LATER YEARS
  
  Credits
  3–3 credit hours
  Prerequisites
  None
  Description
  None
  
  SPH-B 335 AGING, HEALTH AND DIVERSE POPULATIONS
  
  Credits
  3–3 credit hours
  Prerequisites
  None
  Description
  None
  
  SPH-B 354 MULTIDIS PERSP IN GERONTOLOGY
  
  Credits
  3–3 credit hours
  Prerequisites
  None
  Description
  None
  
  SPH-B 366 COMMUNITY HEALTH
  
  Credits
  3–3 credit hours
  Prerequisites
  None
  Description
  None
  
  SPH-B 403 PUBLIC HEALTH PROGRAM PLANNING
  
  Credits
  3–3 credit hours
  Prerequisites
  None
  Description
  None
  
  SPH-H 172 INTL HEALTH & SOCIAL ISSUES
  
  Credits
  3–3 credit hours
  Prerequisites
  None
  Description
  None
  
  SPH-H 319 GLOBAL HEALTH PROMOTION
  
  Credits
  3–3 credit hours
  Prerequisites
  None
  Description
  None
  
  SPH-H 418 THE NATURE OF ADDICTION
  
  Credits
  3–3 credit hours
  Prerequisites
  None
  Description
  None
  
  SPH-E 311 INTRODUCTION TO EPIDEMIOLOGY
  
  Credits
  3–3 credit hours
  Prerequisites
  None
  Description
  None
Minor GPA, Hours, and Minimum Grade Requirements.
1. At least 9 credit hours in the minor must be completed in courses taken through the Indiana University Bloomington campus or an IU-administered or IU co-sponsored Overseas Study program.
2. At least 9 credit hours in the minor must be completed at the 300–499 level.
3. Except for the GPA requirement, a grade of C- or higher is required for a course to count toward a requirement in the minor.
4. A GPA of at least 2.000 for all courses taken in the minor—including those where a grade lower than C- is earned—is required.
5. Exceptions to minor requirements may be made with the approval of the department's Director of Undergraduate Studies, subject to final approval by the College of Arts and Sciences.

Notes

* With permission of the Director of Undergraduate Studies, up to three (3) credit hours of experiential learning courses with a health or mental health focus can be counted toward the minor