Jacqueline L. Angel

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course examines the gender dimensions of health, illness, and the medical care industry in the United States and other developed nations.  It is motivated by the fact that health, disease, and medical care have important gender-specific dimensions that are affected by economics, politics, and culture. In the past the medical care system often ignored gender, as well as race-based differences in health care needs. These gaps in knowledge concerning risks and appropriate treatments have very specific consequences that we will investigate.  The collection of readings will allow us to examine the social institutions that shape men’s and women’s health and health care.  Specific topics will include reproductive health, single motherhood and the stress of raising children alone, welfare and health care, divorce and changes in health, certain illnesses that women experience including breast and ovarian cancer, drug and alcohol abuse, and the forces that influence research into women’s health problems. In addition, we examine the role of women as major actors in changing the health care system, reducing health risks for themselves and their families, and their roles as health care providers, public administrators, and leaders in the health care establishment. We will also touch upon the role of local, state and federal agencies in health policy formulation and implementation, the politics of the medicalization of women’s issues including childbirth, refugee and immigrant women's health, and more. The course will also examine the role of different levels and branches of government, including the presidency, Congress, the courts, and the bureaucracy, in the formation of public policy.  Alternative political ideologies regarding state and private responsibility for women’s health will be compared and contrasted.  Similarly we will assess the relative power of key non-governmental actors, such as interest groups, health care NPOs, researchers, and the media in the definition and framing of our health agenda. The course deals with rapidly evolving issues and readings will be assigned as current events warrant. 

EVALUATION

Assignments include a policy issue brief (50%), article or government report review (20%), point-counterpoint exchange, legislative briefing (20%). Attendance and participation are integral parts of the course and will count towards the final grade (10%).

REQUIRED TEXT AND SELECTED READINGS TO BE ASSIGNED

Bird, C.E. and P.P. Rieker. 2008. Gender and Health: The Effects of Constrained Choices and Social

 Policies. New York: Cambridge University Press.

Stone, D.  2001.  Policy Paradox: The Art of Political Decision Making. New York:  W.W.

Norton and Company.

Course Description

This course examines the gender dimensions of health, illness, and the medical care industry in the United States and other developed nations.  It is motivated by the fact that health, disease, and medical care have important gender-specific dimensions that are affected by economics, politics, and culture. In the past the medical care system often ignored gender, as well as race-based differences in health care needs. These gaps in knowledge concerning risks and appropriate treatments have very specific consequences that we will investigate.  The collection of readings will allow us to examine the social institutions that shape men’s and women’s health and health care.  Specific topics will include reproductive health, single motherhood and the stress of raising children alone, welfare and health care, divorce and changes in health, certain illnesses that women experience including breast and ovarian cancer, drug and alcohol abuse, and the forces that influence research into women’s health problems. In addition, we examine the role of women as major actors in changing the health care system, reducing health risks for themselves and their families, and their roles as health care providers, public administrators, and leaders in the health care establishment. We will also touch upon the role of local, state and federal agencies in health policy formulation and implementation, the politics of the medicalization of women’s issues including childbirth, refugee and immigrant women's health, and more. The course will also examine the role of different levels and branches of government, including the presidency, Congress, the courts, and the bureaucracy, in the formation of public policy.  Alternative political ideologies regarding state and private responsibility for women’s health will be compared and contrasted.  Similarly we will assess the relative power of key non-governmental actors, such as interest groups, health care NPOs, researchers, and the media in the definition and framing of our health agenda. The course deals with rapidly evolving issues and readings will be assigned as current events warrant. 

Grading and Requirements

Policy issue brief 50%

Article or government report review 20%

Point-counterpoint exchange, legislative briefing 20%

Attendance and participation 10%

Required Texts and Readings

Bird, C.E. and P.P. Rieker. 2008. Gender and Health: The Effects of Constrained Choices and Social  Policies. New York: Cambridge University Press.

Stone, D.  2001.  Policy Paradox: The Art of Political Decision Making. New York:  W.W.Norton and Company.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course examines the gender dimensions of health, illness, and the medical care industry in the United States and other developed nations.  It is motivated by the fact that health, disease, and medical care have important gender-specific dimensions that are affected by economics, politics, and culture.  Because of gender-based disadvantages in the labor force women, and especially minority women, are more likely than men to have low incomes and little wealth, particularly if they are unmarried with children. Poor women and families have often had to do without the medical care they need even as their children quality for Medicaid.  The passage of health reform legislation has potentially important implications for poor women’s access to medical care since by 2014 all poor Americans will qualify for Medicaid or subsidized public insurance. During the course we will follow and discuss issues related to the implementation of health care reform and determine how our health care delivery system will be affected in the years to come.  In the past the medical care system often ignored gender, as well as race-based differences in health care needs. Early studies of heart disease risks were, for example, based on samples of white men.  Today, the National Institutes of Health and other funding agencies are aware of these shortcomings and are addressing these issues head on.  During the course we will examine these initiatives in detail.

These gaps in knowledge concerning risks and appropriate treatments have very specific consequences that we will investigate.  The collection of readings will allow us to examine the social institutions that shape men’s and women’s health and health care.  Specific topics will include reproductive health, single motherhood and the stress of raising children alone, welfare and health care, divorce and changes in health, certain illnesses that women experience including breast and ovarian cancer, drug and alcohol abuse, and the forces that influence research into women’s health problems. In addition, we examine the role of women as major actors in changing the health care system, reducing health risks for themselves and their families, and their roles as health care providers, public administrators, and leaders in the health care establishment. We will also touch upon the role of local, state and federal agencies in health policy formulation and implementation, the politics of the medicalization of women’s issues including childbirth, refugee and immigrant women's health, and more.

Course Objectives:

This course deals with the dramatic impact of social, demographic, and labor force changes on social policies related to women and family. The seminar will consist of an examination of policies focused on aspects of marriage, family and work for adult women, minorities, and the elderly. In previous generations, a women's welfare was based upon her husband's earnings. That world has changed profoundly. Increasingly, a women's economic security is her own responsibility, and social policies including retirement policies, must change to reflect that new reality. In barely two generations norms and expectations concerning work and family have altered greatly. Women who are today in their fifties and sixties have grown up in a world in which marital disruption has become common. Unlike their grandmothers, younger generations of women, especially the more educated, cannot count on their husbands or guarantee their economic security. Women no longer work to simply supplement their income but to build their own nest egg. As a result, many single women find themselves at a serious disadvantage in the event their marriage or work fails. This course is offered to all graduate students at the University of Texas at Austin. The seminar is one of the topical electives in The University of Texas LBJ School of Public Affairs, Sociology Department, and fulfills requirements for the LBJ School specialization in economics and social policy.

Requirements and grading

The class will follow a fairly standard seminar format.  You will be responsible for familiarizing yourself with all listed readings and for participating in class discussions.  Material to be emphasized during class discussions will be announced prior to each class meeting.  Readings may occasionally be modified to suit the needs of the class, and additional material may be distributed during the course of the semester depending on student interest and the availability of time.  The course will be organized as a combination of lecture, peer discussion, and application sessions.  Your course grade will be determined on the basis of a seminar paper and class participation. 

COURSE DESCRIPTION

 This course examines the gender dimensions of health, illness, and the medical care industry in the United States and other developed nations.  It is motivated by the fact that health, disease, and medical care have important gender-specific dimensions that are affected by economics, politics, and culture.  Because of gender-based disadvantages in the labor force women, and especially minority women, are more likely than men to have low incomes and little wealth, particularly if they are unmarried with children. Poor women and families have often had to do without the medical care they need even as their children quality for Medicaid.  The passage of health reform legislation has potentially important implications for poor women’s access to medical care since by 2014 all poor Americans will qualify for Medicaid or subsidized public insurance. During the course we will follow and discuss issues related to the implementation of health care reform and determine how our health care delivery system will be affected in the years to come.  In the past the medical care system often ignored gender, as well as race-based differences in health care needs. Early studies of heart disease risks were, for example, based on samples of white men.  Today, the National Institutes of Health and other funding agencies are aware of these shortcomings and are addressing these issues head on.  During the course we will examine these initiatives in detail.

 These gaps in knowledge concerning risks and appropriate treatments have very specific consequences that we will investigate.  The collection of readings will allow us to examine the social institutions that shape men’s and women’s health and health care.  Specific topics will include reproductive health, single motherhood and the stress of raising children alone, welfare and health care, divorce and changes in health, certain illnesses that women experience including breast and ovarian cancer, drug and alcohol abuse, and the forces that influence research into women’s health problems. In addition, we examine the role of women as major actors in changing the health care system, reducing health risks for themselves and their families, and their roles as health care providers, public administrators, and leaders in the health care establishment. We will also touch upon the role of local, state and federal agencies in health policy formulation and implementation, the politics of the medicalization of women’s issues including childbirth, refugee and immigrant women's health, and more.

 The second objective of the course is for students to develop an understanding of the major sources of health data (e.g., demographic statistics, administrative records, health surveys, etc.).  Our objective is to develop a critical understanding of the appropriate use of health-related data and to determine how they can best be used to evaluate a broad array of public policies related to women’s health care. 

 Finally, the course will examine the role of different levels and branches of government, including the presidency, Congress, the courts, and the bureaucracy, in the formation of public policy.  Alternative political ideologies regarding state and private responsibility for women’s health will be compared and contrasted.  Similarly we will assess the relative power of key non-governmental actors, such as interest groups, health care NPOs, researchers, and the media in the definition and framing of our health agenda.

 EVAVLUATION

Class sessions will consist of lectures and collective discussions. Written requirements include a policy issue brief (50%), article or government report review (20%), point-counterpoint exchange, legislative briefing (20%). Attendance and participation are integral parts of the course and will count towards the final grade (10%).  

REQUIRED TEXT

Bird, C.E. and P.P. Rieker. 2008. Gender and Health: The Effects of Constrained Choices and Social  Policies. New York: Cambridge University Press.

Freund, P., B. McGuire, and L. Podhurst.  2003.  Health, Illness, and the Social Body: A Critical Sociology (4thed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

Kingdon, J.W. 2010.  Agendas, Alternatives, and Public Policies. Boston, MA:  Longman.

Stone, D.  2001.  Policy Paradox: The Art of Political Decision Making. New York:  W.W. Norton and Company.

For more information, contact Dr. Jacqueline Angel at jangel@austin.utexas.edu

Spring 2011, Soc 395J

Women and the Changing World of Work: New Policies for a New Century

Course Overview

Topics for these policy seminars have included environmental and natural resources policy, health-service delivery policy, social welfare policy, transportation policy, science and technology policy, international affairs, national security, urban and regional growth policy, and political campaigns.

Section Description

This course deals with the dramatic impact of social, demographic, and labor force changes on social policies related to women and family. The seminar will consist of an examination of policies focused on aspects of marriage, family and work for adult women, minorities, and the elderly. In previous generations, a women's welfare was based upon her husband's earnings. That world has changed profoundly. Increasingly, a women's economic security is her own responsibility, and social policies including retirement policies, must change to reflect that new reality. In barely two generations norms and expectations concerning work and family have altered greatly. Women who are today in their fifties and sixties have grown up in a world in which marital disruption has become common. Unlike their grandmothers, younger generations of women, especially the more educated, can not count on their husbands or guarantee their economic security. Women no longer work to simply supplement their income but to build their own nest egg. As a result, many single women find themselves at a serious disadvantage in the event their marriage or work fails.

This course is offered to all graduate students at the University of Texas at Austin. The seminar is one of the topical electives in The University of Texas LBJ School of Public Affairs, Sociology Department,and fulfills requirements for the LBJ School specialization in economics and social policy.

Requirements and grading

The class will follow a fairly standard seminar format. You will be responsible for familiarizing yourself with all listed readings and for participating in class discussions. Material to be emphasized during class discussions will be announced prior to each class meeting. Readings may occasionally be modified to suit the needs of the class, and additional material may be distributed during the course of the semester depending on student interest and the availability of time. The course will be organized as a combination of lecture, peer discussion, and application sessions. Your course grade will be determined on the basis of a seminar paper and class participation. 

This course deals with the dramatic impact of social, demographic, and labor force changes on social policies related to women and family. The seminar will consist of an examination of policies focused on aspects of marriage, family and work for adult women, minorities, and the elderly. In previous generations, a women's welfare was based upon her husband's earnings. That world has changed profoundly. Increasingly, a women's economic security is her own responsibility, and social policies including retirement policies, must change to reflect that new reality. In barely two generations norms and expectations concerning work and family have altered greatly. Women who are today in their fifties and sixties have grown up in a world in which marital disruption has become common. Unlike their grandmothers, younger generations of women, especially the more educated, can not count on their husbands or guarantee their economic security. Women no longer work to simply supplement their income but to build their own nest egg. As a result, many single women find themselves at a serious disadvantage in the event their marriage or work fails.

Course Syllabus
Spring 2009
Women and the Changing World of Work:  
New Policies for a New Century (388K)

Instructor : Jacqueline L. Angel, Ph.D.
Meeting time :  Thursday, 9 – 12 pm
Meeting place : SRH
Unique #:  
Course Objectives:
This course deals with the dramatic impact of social, demographic, and labor force changes on social policies related to women and family. The seminar will consist of an examination of policies focused on aspects of marriage, family and work for adult women, minorities, and the elderly. In previous generations, a women's welfare was based upon her husband's earnings. That world has changed profoundly. Increasingly, a women's economic security is her own responsibility, and social policies including retirement policies, must change to reflect that new reality. In barely two generations norms and expectations concerning work and family have altered greatly. Women who are today in their fifties and sixties have grown up in a world in which marital disruption has become common. Unlike their grandmothers, younger generations of women, especially the more educated, can not count on their husbands or guarantee their economic security. Women no longer work to simply supplement their income but to build their own nest egg. As a result, many single women find themselves at a serious disadvantage in the event their marriage or work fails.

This course is offered to all graduate students at the University of Texas at Austin. The seminar is one of the topical electives in The University of Texas LBJ School of Public Affairs, Sociology Department, and fulfills requirements for the LBJ School specialization in economics and social policy.
Course Requirements and Grading:  The course will be organized as a combination of lecture, peer discussion, and application sessions.  Course grades will be based on three major requirements, including (1) a final policy analysis paper and oral presentation (50%); (2) leading a discussion section (25%); and (3) participation in weekly seminar discussions (25%).