To introduce some basic sociological approaches to illness, health and medicine. The aim is to show that the definition of illness, the experience of illness and even its treatment cannot be understood through physical and biological approaches alone, by using different sociological approaches to health. In addition, health and illness will be analyzed and discussed in the context of capitalism, class and inequalities.

History of Sociology of Health; Research Areas; Some Main Concepts (e.g. Health, Illness); Some Main Arguments and Approaches to Health and Illness; Social Factors behind Illness; Relationships between Health, Illness and Social, Economic, Cultural and Political Structures; Social Class, Inequalities and Health; Different Health Systems.