SA4D1      Half Unit
Social Epidemiology

This information is for the 2015/16 session.

Teacher responsible

Dr Isaac Sasson OLD 1.11

Availability

This course is compulsory on the MSc in Health, Population and Society. This course is available on the MSc in International Health Policy, MSc in International Health Policy (Health Economics) and MSc in Social Research Methods. This course is available as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.

Course content

This course brings together the main issues in health, population and society in developed countries, including the role of social and biological factors in determining health and mortality. Course content includes the relationship between health and societal changes: family changes and their implications for population health; social support and health, health of older people and coping with ageing in the 21st century. Prospects for health and mortality in decades to come. Definition and use of measurements of health; self-reported, 'objective' measures and health service use indicators. Trends in inequalities in health and the explanations for these. Key issues in public health in developed countries especially in the light of expected demographic changes. Policy responses to health, population and societal changes.

Teaching

15 hours of lectures and 13 hours and 30 minutes of seminars in the MT.

Formative coursework

One mock exam and one 1,500 word formative essay.

Indicative reading

A detailed reading list will be provided at the beginning of the course.

Assessment

Exam (75%, duration: 2 hours) in the main exam period.
Essay (25%, 2000 words) in the LT.

Student performance results

(2011/12 - 2013/14 combined)

Classification % of students
Distinction 9.6
Merit 68.5
Pass 21.9
Fail 0

Key facts

Department: Social Policy

Total students 2014/15: 22

Average class size 2014/15: 11

Controlled access 2014/15: Yes

Value: Half Unit

Guidelines for interpreting course guide information

Personal development skills

  • Leadership
  • Self-management
  • Team working
  • Problem solving
  • Application of information skills
  • Communication
  • Application of numeracy skills
  • Specialist skills

Course survey results

(2011/12 - 2013/14 combined)

1 = "best" score, 5 = "worst" score

The scores below are average responses.

Response rate: 89.5%

Question

Average
response

Reading list (Q2.1)

2.4

Materials (Q2.3)

2

Course satisfied (Q2.4)

2.1

Lectures (Q2.5)

2.2

Integration (Q2.6)

2.1

Contact (Q2.7)

2

Feedback (Q2.8)

2.3

Recommend (Q2.9)

Yes

48.1%

Maybe

46.8%

No

5.1%