98-99 University Bulletin Entry for:


Health, Law, and Society Program

(file last updated: [8/10/1998 - 15:24:16])


Objectives

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

The organization of the medicalsector has become so complex that it is beyond the ability ofany one discipline to understand. This complexity is rife withcontroversies, contradictions, and challenges. Since many of themost critical health issues are social in nature and are playedout in the legal system, social and legal perspectives are fundamentalfor understanding the changing place of health care in society.To organize a student's study of health issues, this interdisciplinaryprogram offers two tracks: (1) Health, Community, and Societyand (2) Law, Medicine, and Health Policy. In addition to commoncore courses, students may elect either track in order to fulfillprogram requirements.


How to Become a ProgramMember

Students are encouraged totake the core courses early in their program and to consult withthe chair for guidance. Students may enter the program as lateas their junior year, but an early start maximizes options availablein the program. Students should consult with the chair of theHLS Program about fulfilling requirements before the beginningof the senior year.


Committee

Lyman Stookey, Chair

(Legal Studies)

Peter Conrad

(Sociology)

David Jacobson

(Anthropology)

Margie Lachman

(Psychology)

Deborah Stone

(Heller School)

Judith Tsipis

(Biology)


Requirements for the Program


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 theprogram): LGLS 92b (Law, Medicine, and Health Policy Internshipand Seminar); a supervised internship without seminar approvedby the chair for program credit, but not academic credit; an honorsthesis, in the student's department of concentration, on a topicapproved by the chair of the HLS Program; or a senior essay supervisedby a faculty member of the HLS Program, designated HLS 98a orb.


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 differentdepartments. Students in this track may take LGLS 10a as an elective.Students who take several Law, Medicine, and Health Policy topicalseminars may substitute all but one for electives if they alsohave an elective in another department.

D.Either of the following:

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

2. A health law or policy relatedsenior thesis in the student's department of concentration. Inaddition to the departmental thesis advisor, an advisor or mentorfrom the Health, Law, and Society Program may be assigned.


Courses of Instruction

HLS 98a Independent Study

Signature of the instructorrequired.

Usually offered every year.

Staff

HLS 98b Independent Study

Signature of the instructorrequired.

Usually offered every year.

Staff


Cross-Listed Courses

LGLS 92b

Law, Medicine, and Health PolicyInternship and Seminar


Core Courses

LGLS 114a American HealthCare: Law and Policy

(Formerly LGLS 14a)

[ cl22 ss]

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

Mr. Stookey and guest lecturers

SOC 191a Health, Community,and Society

[ ss ]

An exploration into interrelationshipsamong society, health, and disease, emphasizing the social causesand experience of illness. Usually offered every year.

Mr. Conrad


Health, Community, and SocietyElectives

HIST 136a

Doctors and Patients Since1789

HLS 98a or b

Independent Study

HS 104b

American Health Care: A Systemin Crisis

HS 400a

Introduction to Statistics

LGLS 122a

Business and Society: CorporateResponsibility for Worker and Consumer Safety

LGLS 131b

Autonomy and Self-determinationin Critical Health Care Decisions

LGLS 132b

Environmental Law and Policy

LGLS 133b

AIDS, Health Care, and theLaw

LGLS 136a

Genetics, Law, and Social Policy

NEJS 193b

Judaism and Healing

PHIL 23b

Biomedical Ethics

PSYC 130b

Life Span Development: Adulthoodand Old Age

PSYC 131b

Seminar in Health Psychology

PSYC 145b

Aging in a Changing World

PSYC 163b

Women and Madness

SOC 165a

Sociology of Birth and Death

SOC 177b

Aging in Society

SOC 189a

Sociology of Body and Health

SOC 190b

On the Caring of the MedicalCare System

SOC 192b

Sociology of Disability

WMNS 106b

Women in the Health Care System


Law, Medicine, and HealthPolicy Topical Seminars

Please see the appropriatesections of this Bulletin for course descriptions and specialnotes; consult the Course Schedule for current offeringsand changes. All seminars are limited in enrollment and usuallyrestricted to juniors and seniors, with preference given to premedicaland predental students and to concentrators in the legal studiesand health, law, and society programs.

AMST 187a

The Legal Boundaries of Publicand Private Life

AMST 188b

Justice Brandeis and ProgressiveJurisprudence

LGLS 121b

Law and Social Welfare: CitizenRights and Government Responsibilities

LGLS 122a

Business and Society: CorporateResponsibility for Worker and Consumer Safety

LGLS 129b

Law, Technology, and Innovation

LGLS 131b

Autonomy and Self-determinationin Critical Health Care Decisions

LGLS 132b

Environmental Law and Policy

LGLS 139b

Medical Malpractice on Trial


Law, Medicine, and HealthPolicy Electives

ANTH 142a

AIDS in the Third World

HIST 136a

Doctors and Patients Since1789

ECON 74b

Law and Economics

ECON 177b

Economic Regulation and Deregulation

HS 104b

American Health Care: A Systemin Crisis

HS 400a

Introduction to Statistics

LGLS 10a

Introduction to Law

PHIL 23b

Biomedical Ethics

PHIL 114b

Topics in Ethical Theory

PHSC 7b

Technology and the Managementof Public Risk

POL 115a

Constitutional Law

POL 115b

Seminar: Constitutional Lawand Theory

POL 116b

Civil Liberties in America

POL 117a

Administrative Law

PSYC 130b

Life Span Development: Adulthoodand Old Age

PSYC 131b

Seminar in Health Psychology

PSYC 145b

Aging in a Changing World

PSYC 163b

Women and Madness

SOC 103a

The Sociology of Mental Illnessand Health

SOC 123b

Crisis of the Welfare State

SOC 165a

Sociology of Birth and Death

SOC 177b

Aging in Society

SOC 189a

Sociology of Body and Health

SOC 190b

On the Caring of the MedicalCare System

SOC 192b

Sociology of Disability

WMNS 106b

Women in the Health Care System