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Society and Health, Minor

Understand the socioeconomic, cultural, and psychological factors associated with human health.

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Society and Health student listening to a nurse in hospital room. There is lots of medical equipment in the room and a medical dummy in the bed.

"All my life, I considered medicine to be an isolated field, separate from outside influences. I hadn't considered how social influences could affect a person's health, or how illnesses could affect a person's health, or how illnesses can be caused by societal constructs and life chances. This minor taught me that there is so much more to health and disease than just the physiological."

About the Minor in Society and Health

The College of Liberal Arts offers the interdisciplinary minor in Society and Health. It focuses on the sociological, economic, cultural, and psychological factors associated with human health, coupled with their implications for ethical healthcare practice and policy. Students who minor in Society and Health develop an appreciation for the value of inter-professional, team-based problem solving to improve healthcare and health outcomes. 

The demand for this minor arose as a result of changes in the medical school entrance exam, shifting expectations for the education of health professionals, and recognition of the need for interdisciplinary approaches to address health problems. Students who complete the Society and Health minor will meet two key needs in the health profession: sociocultural awareness and communication skills. 

Students must be admitted to the Society and Health minor. Find out more about the application process below. 

College of Liberal Arts Undergraduates Sign up for the SOHE Minor

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    Program Information

    Degree

    Required Credit Hours

    18

    Program Type

    Minor

    Program Location

    Oxford

    School

    College of Liberal Arts

    Academic Requirements

    You can take SOCY 3700 OR SOHE 3290, with 12 additional credit hours from select social science and humanities courses.

    See list of courses

    UG

    SOCY 3700: Society and Population Health

    3 credits

    This course will explore human population health from a multidisciplinary perspective, with particular attention to understanding complex health problems and informing solutions from the social sciences. Studies will include insights from community development, sociology, demography, anthropology, geography, and public health. Students will learn from diverse scholars and practitioners through readings, facilitated discussions, guest lectures, panel presentations, and field visits.

    UG

    SOHE 3290: Medical Humanities

    3 credits

    Students investigate the ethical, social, and cultural issues of medicine through study and field experience in a hospital setting.

    UG

    PHIL 3340: Biomedical Ethics

    3 credits

    Ethical issues in contemporary biomedicine, e.g., death and dying, patient rights, and the challenges of new medical technology.

    Enroll in the SOHE Minor

    For inclusion in the Society and Health Minor, fill out the enrollment form below and communicate with your advisor about your chosen minor program of study.
    1. Fill out the Interest Form. 
    2. Talk to your Advisor

    How Can I Enhance My Health and Society Minor?

    According to national surveys, employers are more likely to hire college graduates who have: 

    • had professional internships, 
    • worked with people from diverse backgrounds on community service, 
    • collaborated with peers on projects, 
    • taken multiple courses with significant writing,
    • produced a senior project or thesis, and
    • studied abroad.

    These experiences are about core liberal arts skills of thinking, communicating, interpersonal skills, and understanding the world around us. Showcase and enhance these skills in an internship opportunity for that first step into the professional world. 

    We encourage students in the Society and Health minor to combine coursework with these hands-on, experiential learning opportunities.

    Your Major + Society and Health

    Society and Health can pair with a wide variety of majors on campus. Here are some likely combinations.
    Explore College Programs

    UG

    Anthropology, B.A.

    Study human life and culture throughout time and across the world.

    • Oxford

    UG

    Biochemistry, B.A.

    Understand the foundations of life on a molecular level.

    • Oxford

    UG

    Biological Science, B.A.

    Use scientific methods to understand and predict natural phenomena in the world around us.

    • Oxford

    UG

    Psychology, B.A.

    Understand what motivates people and why people behave the way that they do.

    • Oxford
    • Booneville
    • DeSoto
    • Tupelo

    UG

    Physics, B.A.

    Acquire a broad understanding of the physical principles of the universe.

    • Oxford

    UG

    Allied Health Studies, B.A.

    Create a foundation for allied health professional fields.

    • Oxford
    • Booneville
    • DeSoto
    • Tupelo

    UG

    Public Health, B.S.

    Those who have health have hope. Those who have hope have everything.

    • Oxford

    UG

    Journalism, B.A.

    Strong writers and visual storytellers with a sense of adventure will find a home in our distinguished Bachelor of Arts in Journalism program with its reputation for producing award-winning talent.

    • Oxford
    • Online

    Next Steps

    Explore Affordability

    We have a variety of scholarships and financial aid options to help make college more affordable for you and your family.

    Financial Aid Tuition & Fees

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