Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2011-2012 (archived)

Module HUSS1201: Health & Society II: Well-Being

Department: Anthropology (Human Sciences) [Queen's Campus, Stockton]

HUSS1201: Health & Society II: Well-Being

Type Tied Level 1 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2011/12 Module Cap None. Location Queen's Campus Stockton
Tied to BSc Biological Anthropology BSc Health & Human Sciences MAnth MAnth (Health & Well-being)

Prerequisites

  • None.

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • To introduce the concepts and measurements of wellbeing, livelihood and health.
  • To promote an interdisciplinary perspective on health
  • To consider changes in health indicators over time and space

Content

  • Patterns of food consumption and distribution.Biological aspects of human nutrition.
  • Food production and ecology.
  • The symbolism of food.
  • Sex and age divisions in human societies.
  • Notions and causes of poverty.
  • Diseases of poverty and affluence.
  • Notions of psycho-social well-being and bio-medical disease.
  • Methods of curing in modern and traditional societies.
  • Practicals will consist of exercises to explore in greater depth the concept of well-being and to devise approaches for investigating and improving well-being

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • Familiarity with the biological, ecological and socio-cultural aspects of wellbeing, livelihood and society, including nutrition and disease.
  • Acquaintance with alternative health systems and differences between age/sex/socio-economic groups.
  • Appreciation of the relationships between population growth, poverty, inequality and health.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • Relate the anthropological focus on local communities to the wider national and international picture of health and ill-health in the past and present-day.
  • Apply a basic interdisciplinary approach to key concepts and indicators of wellbeing.
  • The ability to consider the pros and cons of prominent anthropological studies and development initiatives.
  • Work cooperatively in groups in order to debate Medical Anthropological issues in a constructive manner.
Key Skills:
  • The ability to communicate ideas effectively by means of essays written under supervised conditions.
  • The ability to plan and manage time effectively
  • The ability to construct a reasoned argument.
  • Basic learning and study skills.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • Lectures, practicals and classes will be carefully integrated and will include revision classes, tutor-led discussions, videos and discussion, and essay surgeries.
  • Lectures will o cover topics relevant for providing students with an understanding of theories currently available for the study of wellbeing, livelihood and society.
  • introduce students to issues, structure the subject matter and provide a grounding in principal issues so they can progress to further learning and study.
  • provide the framework for analysis and relevant background, theoretical and/or historical information, and are used to assist in the assimilation of technically demanding or conceptually difficult material.
  • Practicals will
  • provide an opportunity for students to discuss key topics and to make oral presentations.
  • cover topics relevant to the content of the module and will consist of exercises designed to explore in greater depth the concept of well-being and to devise approaches for investigating and improving well-being.The module DUO site will serve to ensure that students can find the information about the module they require at any time.
  • Students will work in groups, and feedback (but no mark) will be given on the group presentation.
  • Formative assement will consist of one seen examination consisting of 2 questions (to take place during lecture). Further formative feedback will be given orally during practicals.
  • Summative assessment will be by a written examination which aims to test assimilated knowledge and understanding of course material as well as the ability to write succinctly and analytically under time pressure.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 18 Distributed over the first two terms 1 hour 18
Practicals 4 Distributed over the first two terms 1 hour 4
Videos 3 Distributed over the three terms 1 hour 3
Preparation and Reading 175
Total 200

Summative Assessment

Component: Examination Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Unseen Examination 2.5 hours 100% Yes

Formative Assessment:

One seen examination consisting of 2 questions (to take place during lecture). Topics will have been previously covered in lectures and/or practicals.


Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University