SFOK15004U Body & Technology: Medical Enhancement Technologies in a Sociological Perspective
Full Degree Master in Public Health Science
BA Programme in Public Health Science
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.
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.
- Category
- Hours
- Class Instruction
- 30
- Preparation
- 245
- Total
- 275
- Credit
- 10 ECTS
- Type of assessment
- Written assignmentEssay. 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.
Course information
- Language
- English
- Course code
- SFOK15004U
- Credit
- 10 ECTS
- Level
- Full Degree MasterBachelor
- Duration
- 1 semester
- Placement
- Autumn
- Schedule
- See Syllabus
- Course capacity
- 30
- Study board
- The Staff-Student Committee of the Bachelor/Master of Science in Public Health
Contracting department
- Department of Public Health
Course responsibles
- Inge Kryger Pedersen (3-707277477a766a35727c356b72)