M = Health, Law, and Society Program

Health, Law, and Society Program

S = Objectives

Health care is one of the most important issues of the late 20th century. Over the past three decades there have been dazzling advances in medical knowledge and technique, enormous changes in how medicine is practiced, and a transformation in the organization of medical care.

The organization of the medical sector has become so complex that it is beyond the ability of any one discipline to understand. This complexity is rife with controversies, contradictions, and challenges. Since many of the most critical health issues are social in nature and are played out in the legal system, social and legal perspectives are fundamental for understanding the changing place of health care in society. To organize a student's study of health issues, this interdisciplinary program offers two tracks: (1) Health, Community, and Society and (2) Law, Medicine, and Health Policy. In addition to common core courses, students may elect either track in order to fulfill program requirements.

S = How to Become a Program Member

Students are encouraged to take the core courses early in their program and to consult with the chair for guidance. Students may enter the program as late as their junior year, but an early start maximizes options available in the program. Students should consult with the chair of the HLS Program about fulfilling requirements before the beginning of the senior year.

S = Committee

Lyman Stookey, Chair

(Legal Studies)

Peter Conrad

(Sociology)

David Jacobson

(Anthropology)

Margie Lachman

(Psychology)

Deborah Stone

(Heller School)

Judith Tsipis

(Biology)

S = Requirements for the Program

T = Requirements for the Health, Community, and Society Track

A. Core courses: LGLS 114a (American Health Care: Law and Policy), and SOC 191a (Health, Community, and Society).

B. Departmental electives: Three courses from Health, Community, and Society electives--no more than two from a single department.

C. Completion of one of the following (approved by the chair of the Program): LGLS 92b (Law, Medicine, and Health Policy Internship and Seminar); a supervised internship without seminar approved by the chair for program credit, but not academic credit; an honors thesis, in the studentís department of concentration, on a topic approved by the chair of the HLS Program; or a senior essay supervised by a faculty member of the HLS Program, designated HLS 98a or b.

T = Requirements for the Law, Medicine, and Health Policy Track

A. Core courses: LGLS 114a (American Health Care: Law and Policy), and SOC 191a (Health, Community, and Society).

B. Topical seminar in Law, Medicine, and Health Policy.

C. Two electives in Law, Medicine, and Health Policy from two different departments. Students in this track may take LGLS 10a as an elective. Students who take several Law, Medicine, and Health Policy topical seminars may substitute all but one for electives if they also have an elective in another department.

D. Either of the following:

1. An approved internship in a Boston area health care organization and the correlative seminar, LGLS 92b.

2. A health law or policy related senior thesis in the student's department of concentration. In addition to the departmental thesis advisor, an advisor or mentor from the Health, Law, and Society Program may be assigned.

S = Courses of Instruction

HLS 98a Independent Study

Signature of the instructor required.

Usually offered every year.

Staff

HLS 98b Independent Study

Signature of the instructor required.

Usually offered every year.

Staff

S = Cross-Listed Courses

LGLS 92b

Law, Medicine, and Health Policy Internship and Seminar

L =

Core Courses

LGLS 114a American Health Care: Law and Policy

(Formerly LGLS 14a)

[ cl²² ss ]

Highlights issues of access, quality, and cost. Introduces laws and regulations that affect every aspect of American health care from planning and finance to patient treatment. Traces development of Medicare and Medicaid. Discusses malpractice, "birth of the Blues," expansion of HMOs, and influence of employer-purchased insurance on cost and delivery of health care. Portrays the important role courts, Congress, and administrative agencies play in organization and delivery of health services. Usually offered every year.

Mr. Stookey and guest lecturers

SOC 191a Health, Community, and Society

[ ss ]

An exploration into interrelationships among society, health, and disease, emphasizing both the social causes and experience of illness. Usually offered every year.

Mr. Conrad

L =

Health, Community, and Society Electives

HLS 98a or b

Independent Study

HSSW 104b

American Health Care: A System in Crisis

LGLS 122a

Business and Society: Corporate Responsibility for Worker and Consumer Safety

LGLS 131b

Autonomy and Self-determination in Critical Health Care Decisions

LGLS 132b

Environmental Law and Policy

LGLS 133b

AIDS, Health Care, and the Law

LGLS 136a

Genetics, Law, and Social Policy

PHIL 23b

Biomedical Ethics

PSYC 130b

Life Span Development: Adulthood and Old Age

PSYC 131b

Seminar in Health Psychology

PSYC 145b

Aging in a Changing World

SOC 165a

Sociology of Birth and Death

SOC 177b

Aging in Society

SOC 190b

On the Caring of the Medical Care System

SOC 192b

Sociology of Disability

L =

Law, Medicine, and Health Policy Topical Seminars

Please see the appropriate sections of this Bulletin for course descriptions and special notes; consult the Course Schedule for current offerings and changes. All seminars are limited in enrollment and usually restricted to juniors and seniors, with preference given to premedical and predental students and to concentrators in the legal studies and health, law, and society programs.

AMST 187a

The Legal Boundaries of Public and Private Life

AMST 188b

Justice Brandeis and Progressive Jurisprudence

LGLS 121b

Law and Social Welfare: Citizen Rights and Government Responsibilities

LGLS 122a

Business and Society: Corporate Responsibility for Worker and Consumer Safety

LGLS 131b

Autonomy and Self-determination in Critical Health Care Decisions

LGLS 132b

Environmental Law and Policy

LGLS 133b

AIDS, Health Care, and the Law

LGLS 136a

Genetics, Law, and Social Policy

LGLS 139b

Medical Malpractice on Trial

L =

Law, Medicine, and Health Policy Electives

ANTH 142a

AIDS in the Third World

ECON 74b

Law and Economics

ECON 177b

Economic Regulation and Deregulation

HSSW 104b

American Health Care: A System in Crisis

LGLS 10a

Introduction to Law

NEJS 193b

Judaism and Healing

PHIL 23b

Biomedical Ethics

PHIL 114b

Topics in Ethical Theory

PHSC 7b

Technology and the Management of Public Risk

POL 108b

Seminar: Liberty and Equality in American Politics

POL 112a

National Government of the United States

POL 115a

Constitutional Law

POL 115b

Seminar: Constitutional Law and Theory

POL 116b

Civil Liberties in America

POL 117a

Administrative Law