Course Details

1. Analyze the epistemological paradigms and theories in sociology of health, e.g. the biomedical model, structural functionalism, symbolic interaction, marxism, critical theory, the paradigm of social construction.
2. Identify the interface between scientific knowledge, biomedical technology and lay beliefs producing practices in which health professionals interact with the public and achieve the surveillance of health behaviors and populations.
3. Realize the way are configured perceptions concerning the identity of the self, stigma, disability and long-term situations, quality of life, the sick role and the patient-doctor encounter.
4. Identify the position and role of the medical profession in the health system, the relationship of the medical profession with other health professionals and the consequences of the emergence of new alternative methods of treatment which challenge the primacy of physicians.
5. Understand health inequalities patterning based on characteristics such as social class, gender, age, ethnicity, place of residence or level of economic development and to be aware of the theories interpreting these inequalities.
6. Identify the health units and hospitals especially in terms of their therapeutic function and the organizational model,to analyze the way in which health issues emerge as priorities for health policy and to investigate the impact of recent developments affecting health sector such as privatization, consumerism, the emphasis in management or the redefinition of the criteria to safeguard the right of access to health care.

The social patterning of health: This includes the study of health inequalities in relation to occupational social class, gender, age, ethnicity, place of residence, and the outline of conceptual approaches concerning the causes of these inequalities.

The experience, perception and conceptualization of illness: Illness is linked with concerns with self-identity, cultural meaning, stigma, long-term situations and quality of life, moving beyond uni-dimensional accounts.

The knowledge of and practices about health: The focus is both on epistemological problems e.g. the biomedical model versus the sociological paradigm of social construction, as well as lay beliefs. The interest is also focused on how scientific knowledge and technologies are combined to create practice in which professionals and lay people interact.

The social division of labor in the provision of health care services:  Important issues to be investigated are, inter alia, the status and role of the medical profession, the medical profession's relationship with other health professionals, the emergence of new alternative methods of treatment challenging the primacy of physicians.

The organization of health care and the formulation of health policy: The purpose of this section is to examine health units and hospitals, particularly in terms of their therapeutic function and organizational model, to analyze how certain health issues emerge as priorities for health policy and to explore the impact of contemporary developments affecting health sector such as privatization, consumerism, the emphasis in management, the redefinition of the criteria to safeguard the right of access to health care. 

• Oikonomou Ch., Spyridakis M., (eds), (2012), Anthropological and sociological approaches of health, Sideris, Athens
• Oikonomou Ch., (2005), Sociology of health, Vol. A’: Basic theoretical approaches, Dιonikos, Athens

• Gabe J., Bury M., Elston M. A., (2004), Key concepts in medical sociology, Sage, London

We use a variety of teaching methods to meet different learning styles and needs of the course. This means that the student can expect a set of lectures, seminars, case studies and learning based on group discussions and problems (problem solving, student oriented). The result is a rich learning experience where students can benefit from courses which are relevant, practical and current.
Graduate students are required to participate during their studies in scientific activities (conferences, workshops) objects associated with the Program enriching their knowledge with additional knowledge to the theoretical and practical training in relation to their practical training and preparation of their thesis work.
Courses other than teaching or instructional books proposed by each teacher to study their contents usually offer several other forms of additional teaching materials such as notes, educational CD / DVD, Internet courses, or hung on the website of the Department or the educational platform (e-class) of the graduate program                                                         .
It is possible, at the discretion of the teacher, lessons supplemented by classroom exercises and assignments, individual or group, to better their strengthening. In any case, at the discretion of the teacher to determine the specific requirements of the exercise (or exercises) in each course, or other work, which should prepare the student for the course.