Sociology 328 - SEM:SOCIOLOGY OF WELLBEING

The field of various "wellbeing practices," including alternative and complementary medicines, has grown considerably over the past decades. This seminar considers what is at stake in the rise of the wellbeing arena. Why are increasing numbers of people turning to non-biomedical practices? How can we understand the significance of the wellbeing sphere for those engaging in different alternative and complementary health practices? What do alternative and complementary medicines treat and what kinds of ideas of health and healing do these practices entail? This seminar seeks to develop sociological insight into therapeutic seeking in contemporary world. Rather than solely reading material on the topic of wellbeing and holistic health, this seminar entails qualitative research into therapeutic practices. Prerequisites: SOC 101 and permission of the instructor. Enrollment limited to 12.

Instructor Permission. Not open to first-years, sophomores