This course critically investigates key areas in the sociology of health and illness. It is taught over one term and addresses the themes of: how medical power, knowledge and practices (e.g medicine as an institution) converge with political and social structures (e.g., inequalities) to shape experiences of health and illness. We in turn explore health and illness as windows into wider social, political, economic and cultural processes. Topics explored include: mental health/illness; reproductive and other medical technologies; disability, gender, sexuality and racism. The course critically explores the ways in which medical knowledge is structured and validated alongside competing and contested truth claims. The teaching and learning is designed to support the development of critical and reflective thinking and to enable students to apply their learning to a range of contemporary issues and debates.