SFOK15004U Body & Technology: Medical Enhancement Technologies in a Sociological Perspective

Volume 2015/2016
Education

Full Degree Master in Public Health Science
BA Programme in Public Health Science

Content

The aim is to explore and discuss social aspects of technological body modifications, replacements and prosthetics. Furthermore, to study and describe dilemmas in the implementation of governance and in relation to users’ experiences as new technologies as a means of fixing bodies and improving them are put into use. First part of the course will introduce the notion of medical enhancement technologies. Secondly, the course will present historical and cultural backgrounds for these forms of technologies. Thirdly, use of biotechnologies will be studied within areas as pregnancy, gender, sexuality, ageing, cosmetic surgery, sport and physical fitness, as well as predictive testing and treating of disease susceptibilities rather than disease.

Learning Outcome

Knowledge

  • To understand the body in contemporary society as a site of social and cultural interventions and technological modifications;
  • To understand the role of biotechnologies in governance and altered ways of being a body and how they have transformed or are able to transform the way in which individuals perform and relate to each other.

 

Skills

  • Have developed a sociological awareness of the body in society in a public health scientific perspective

 

Competencies

  • Be able to analyse contemporary social and biotechnological issues in relation to the body and public health;
  • Be able to demonstrate critical thinking skills in applying a sociological perspective to the area of medical enhancement technologies.
Lectures, student presentations, class and group discussions, tutorials
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Class Instruction
  • 30
  • Preparation
  • 245
  • Total
  • 275
Credit
10 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written assignment
Essay. A paper to be written parallel to and after the course. Written individually (15 pages (15 x 2400 characters (with spaces, references excluded), or in groups up until three students:

1 student: 15 pages (15 x 2400 characters (with spaces, references excluded)
2 students: ?? pages (?? x 2400 characters (with spaces, references excluded)
3 students: ?? pages (?? x 2400 characters (with spaces, references excluded)
Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
External censorship
Exam period

See the exam schedule

Re-exam

See the exam schedule

Criteria for exam assesment

Knowledge

  • To understand the body in contemporary society as a site of social and cultural interventions and technological modifications;
  • To understand the role of biotechnologies in governance and altered ways of being a body and how they have transformed or are able to transform the way in which individuals perform and relate to each other.

Skills

  • Have developed a sociological awareness of the body in society in a public health scientific perspective

Competencies

  • Be able to analyse contemporary social and biotechnological issues in relation to the body and public health;
  • Be able to demonstrate critical thinking skills in applying a sociological perspective to the area of medical enhancement technologies.