HKU SPACE Community College
Associate Degree Programmes 2024-25
Course Document
Course Title: Health, Technology and Society
Course Code: C C S S 4 0 4 4
QF Level: 4
Lecture Contact Hours: 36 Hours
Non-Lecture Contact Hours: 4 Hours
Examination Hours: 0 Hour
Aims and Objective
This course is designed to provide students with a broad overview of the relations among health, technology and
society. It helps students understand the historical, social, cultural, and ethical dimensions of healthcare technology,
increase their knowledge of health issues and commitment to human rights, and sharpen their critical thinking,
problem solving, and communication skills in issues associated with health.
Intended Learning Outcomes of the Course
On completion of the course, students should be able to
ILO1. describe how scientific and technological development affects health and healthcare;
ILO2. discuss the scientific controversies and ethical concerns of issues in health and healthcare;
ILO3. identify and analyse the historical, social, economic, cultural and ethical dimensions of healthcare
technology.
Syllabus
Lecture:
1. Science and technology and the transformation of healthcare
- Course introduction: dimensions of healthcare technology
2. Technology and risks to health and environment
- The emergence of risk society and the hazards to health and environment
3. Perspectives on health and illness
- Comparing and contrasting different perspectives on health and illness and how these affect our
understanding of the meaning of health
4. The power of experts and the (dis)empowerment of people
- How unchecked experts’ power over ordinary people on health-related matters affects the life of individuals,
families and communities
5. Public health practices and human rights concern
- How public health policy and programmes foster discrimination, create stigma or undermine human dignity
6. Commodification of healthcare and its ethical consequences
- How the corporatisation, commodification or commercialisation of healthcare is ethically problematic
Assessment
Description Weighting
Class Participation 10%
Quiz 30%
Group Project 30%
Individual Essay I 15%
Individual Essay II 15%
Pre-requisite(s)
Nil
Required and Recommended Reading
Recommended Reading:
Atkinson, J., Crowe, M. (Eds.) (2006). Interdisciplinary Research: Diverse Approaches In Science, Technology,
Health And Society. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons.
Balka,E., Green, E., & Henwood, F. (Eds.) (2009). Gender, Health And Information Technology In Context.
Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan.
Barry, A. & Yuill, C. (2016). Understanding the Sociology of Health: An Introduction (4th Edition). Los Angeles:
Sage.
Bateman, S., Gayon, J., Allouche, S., Goffetteand, J. & Marzano, M. (2015). Inquiring Into Human Enhancement:
Interdisciplinary And International Perspectives. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
Cudworth, E., Senker, P. & Walker, K. (2013). Technology, Society And Inequality: New Horizons And Contested
Futures. New York : Peter Lang.
Davis, C. & Abraham, J. (2013). Unhealthy Pharmaceutical Regulation. Innovation, Politics And Promissory Science.
Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
De Vries, G. & Horstman, K. (Eds.) (2007). Genetics From Laboratory To Society. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
Faulkner, A. (2008). Medical Technology Into Healthcare And Society: A Sociology Of Devices, Innovation And
Governance. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
Harris, R., Wathen, N. & Wyatt, S. (2010). Configuring Health Consumers. Health Work And The Imperative Of
Personal Responsibility. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
Michael, M. & Rosengarten, M. (2013). Innovation And Biomedicine: Ethics, Evidence And Expectation In HIV.
Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
Oudshoorn, N. (2011). Telecare Technologies And The Transformation Of Healthcare. Basingstoke: Palgrave
Macmillan.
Sleeboom-Faulkner, M. (2014). Global Morality And Life Science Practices In Asia: Assemblages Of Life.
Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
Webster, A. (2007). Health, Technology And Society : A Sociological Critique. New York : Palgrave Macmillan,
Webster, A. (2013). The Global Dynamics Of Regenerative Medicine: A Social Science Critique. Basingstoke:
Palgrave Macmillan.
Weir, L. & Mykhalovskiy, E. (2010). Global Public Health Vigilance : Creating A World On Alert. New York :
Routledge.
Winston, R. & Edelbach, R. (2014). Society, Ethics, & Technology. International Edition, 5th edition. USA:
Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
30.08.2024
