Health and Societies, BA: Bioethics and Society
The Health and Societies (HSOC) major examines health and medicine in social context, equipping students with the critical faculties and multidisciplinary skills that will prepare them for careers in public health, health services, and a variety of other arenas. The program is built on the foundation of three core disciplines: anthropology, history, and sociology. Methods and courses from other disciplines and fields—including epidemiology, political science, business/economics, law, environmental studies, and bioethics—supplement the core disciplines and provide majors with the variety of skills necessary to grasp the forces that have shaped our contemporary health landscapes. The Health and Societies graduate is a "multilingual" scholar and citizen, fluent in the methods and perspectives of several social science disciplines--- theoretically informed but practically minded, with a global outlook and local experience.
The minimum total course units for graduation in this major is 34. Double majors may entail more course units.
For more information: https://hss.sas.upenn.edu/undergraduate/health-societies-major
For information about the General Education requirements, please visit the College of Arts & Sciences Curriculum page.
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| College General Education Requirements and Free Electives | ||
| Foundational Approaches + Sectors1 + Free Electives | 20 | |
| Major Requirements | ||
| Foundation Requirement | ||
| HSOC 0480 | Health and Societies | 1 |
| or HSOC 0490 | Comparative Medicine | |
| Quantitative Methods | ||
| HSOC 2002/SOCI 2000 | Sociological Research Methods 2 | 1 |
| or HSOC 2202/SOCI 2220 | Health of Populations | |
| Core Discipline | ||
| HSOC 0400 | Medicine in History | 1 |
| or HSOC 1411 | American Health Policy | |
| or HSOC 1401 | The Peoples Health | |
| HSOC 1382 | Introduction to Medical Anthropology | 1 |
| or HSOC 1222 | Medical Sociology | |
| HSOC or STSC Electives | ||
| Select 3 HSOC or STSC Electives (Any courses with HSOC or STSC or Attribute AHSM) | 3 | |
| Bioethics & Society Concentration | ||
| Select 1 Core Discipline course (attribute AHSB) | 1 | |
| Select 1 Core Course (Attribute AHSI) | 1 | |
| Select 1 Philosophical & Religious Foundations course (Attribute AHSP) | 1 | |
| Select 1 Social & Institutional Contexts course (Attribute AHSS) | 1 | |
| Select 1 Technologies, Practices & Practitioners course (Attribute AHST) | 1 | |
| Select 1 Law, Politics & Public Policy course (Attribute AHSL) | 1 | |
| Capstone Research Requirement | ||
| Select 1 4000-level HSOC or STSC Research Seminar | 1 | |
| Total Course Units | 34 | |
- 1
You may count no more than one course toward both a Major and a Sector requirement. For Exceptions, check the Policy Statement.
- 2
HSOC 2002 Sociological Research Methods is cross listed with SOCI 2000 Sociological Research Methods and HSOC 2202 Health of Populations is cross listed with SOCI 2220 Health of Populations.
Honors
Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.6 in the major and 3.3 overall. Students should complete their capstone paper in the spring of their Junior year or Fall of their senior year and must obtain the support of a faculty advisor before applying for an Independent Study (HSOC 4980) to complete the Honors thesis.
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| Honors Thesis (non-course requirement QST) | ||
The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2025 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.