About HSOC
Health & Societies is an interdisciplinary major that studies health practices,knowledge and systems in their social context. Students gain an understanding of the ways in which political systems, economic institutions, social practices and cultural values shape and are shaped by ideas about health and health care. Combining the freedom of an individualized major with the coherence of a core curriculum, the major's requirements are organized around a core of seven (7) courses that provide foundational knowledge and methodology, and an in-major concentration of six (6) courses tailored to individual student interests drawn from across the university.
What can you do with an HSOC major? What can’t you do? As one of our majors put it, HSOC allows you to “study the big picture” to "understand real issues for a real world.” HSOC majors go on to every kind of professional school, and jobs in business, public and international health, and government. For more information, contact Dr. David Barnes, HSOC Director, or Dr. Ann Greene, Undergraduate Coordinator, or a member of the HSOC Student Advisory Board.
Recommended Courses for Exploring the HSOC Major
HSOC 10 (Health and Societies), the foundational course of the major, is an excellent introduction to the major but it is not necessary to take this course first. Freshmen are urged to consider one of several freshman seminars offered by the department. Other courses that are excellent ways to explore the major include Medicine in History (HSOC 002), Comparative Medicine (HSOC 145), and American Health Policy (HSOC 150). Students may follow links to lists of all introductory courses and all courses and all categories of courses for the coming semester or by using the "Courses" link on this website.
Faculty Office Hours for Fall 2009
Nutrition Minor in the School of Nursing
FAQs ABOUT THE HSOC MAJOR
What are the requirements for the HSOC major?
HSOC is a fourteen credit major. Students in the HSOC program take four core courses, three in-department electives, six interdisciplinary courses in a field of concentration, and a research seminar. HSOC majors must have 34 total credits for graduation.
What is a field of concentration?
A field of concentration is an interest area. There are eight HSOC concentrations, each reflecting a different academic option within the larger field of Health & Societies. Each concentration consists of six courses. Some concentrations have a required core course and categories which must be fulfilled. The lists of pre-approved courses for each concentration can be found by following the links below.
Bioethics and Society
Disease and Society
Environment and Health
Gender and Health
Health Policy and Law
Health Care Markets and Finance
International Health
Public Health
HSOC is a flexible major. You may easily Petition to include courses other than these pre-approved ones, if those courses contribute to your overall concentration.
How do I become a Health & Societies (HSOC) major?
Go to the page "Becoming a Major" by following the link.
What specific courses will I need to fulfill this major and what semesters are they offered?
You will need to take HSOC 010 (offered in the spring term), HSOC 100 (offered every term) OR HSOC 111 (fall term only), and two of these three courses, offered only in the fall term: HSOC 002, HSOC 238, and HSOC 275. See requirements for course titles.
What if I am not ready to declare a major but have questions about HSOC? How do I get academic advising?
Dr. Barnes, the program director (e-mail) or Dr. Greene, the undergraduate coordinator (e-mail) will be happy to meet with you. You may also contact members of the HSOC Student Advisory Board.
What if I am on registration hold and what does it mean?
Any sophomores who have not declared a major by the time of Advanced Registration in the spring are put on registration hold until they do declare a major. This means that they cannot register for courses. As soon as sophomores declare a major, they are removed from registration hold (unless they are on for other reasons).
Can I double -major in HSOC and something else?
Yes. Many HSOC majors successfully double major in another program as well. However, you dp have to plan carefully. The ability to double major depends on how many credits you need to complete both majors, how many semesters you have before graduation, and how many courses will double count between the two majors. The College requires double majors complete at least 18 separate courses between the two majors.
It is important to remember that it is not necessary to double major! What is most important is that you get the most out of your primary major and out of your undergraduate education, and that you do not sacrifice your educational vision to the challenges of fulfilling two sets of major requirements.
What are some common majors that overlap with Health and Societies?
Common double majors are Sociology, Anthropology, Urban Studies, Economics, Gender Studies, Environmental Studies, Political Science, Philosophy, English, History, and area studies majors such as African Studies, Latin American Studies, South Asian Studies, etc.
Can I minor in HSOC?
No, we do not offer a minor in Health and Societies.
Can I study abroad if I am an HSOC major?
Yes. We encourage HSOC majors to plan a semester abroad, and many do. Some (but not all) select programs with courses similar to the Health and Societies program. We will accept a maximum of two credits from study abroad, which are applied to the in-major concentration portion of the HSOC major. Check both the College study abroad website and the Penn Abroad website for more information. Courses taken abroad are submitted through the XCat system, and evaluated for credit by Dr. Barnes and Dr. Greene
Do my pre-med courses count toward the HSOC major?
Occasionally a pre-med course may count toward the in-major concentration. Approval is handled on a case-by-case basis. Go to the Pre-Med website in Career Services for information about pre-med requirements and advising.
What if I am a transfer student? How do I get credit for courses taken at another school?
Go to the section on transfer students on the College website for information.
Can I get transfer credit for a summer course at another university?
Sometimes. If you wish to take a course at another university, you must petition the department at Penn that has a course most closely matching the course you are planning to take. You will have to submit your proposed course through the XCat system, where it is evaluated by Dr. Barnes and Dr. Greene. Read the section "credit away" on the College website.
Do LPS (College of Liberal and Professional Studies) courses count toward the HSOC major?
Yes. Any HSOC or STSC course offered in LPS will count where appropriate in the major, and other courses offered through LPS (that are not listed as HSOC or STSC) may be used to fulfill HSOC requirements if they are petitioned and found appropriate.
Can I take more HSOC courses than the major requires?
Yes. You may take as many HSOC courses as you wish.
Can I do independent study projects as part of the HSOC major?
Yes. Download the Independent Study Permission Form for further information.
Is research an important part of the HSOC major?
Yes. All HSOC majors take a research seminar in the spring of junior year or fall of senior year to fulfill their Capstone Research Requirement. Some may wish to continue and write a senior thesis for honors during the first half of the senior year. STSC majors are encouraged to explore other opportunities for research, such as internships and publication. Sometimes research internships can be used to fulfill the capstone requirement.
What is the Capstone Research Requirement?
This is a requirement that you take a 400-level HSOC or STSC course during spring of junior year or fall of senior year. The only courses that count for the capstone requirement are 400-level courses taken during one of these two semesters. Courses taken before or after these two semesters do not count fulfill the requirement.
Visit the Capstone page for more information.
I want to do a research project by taking an internship. Can I get credit for this as part of my major?
Yes. You can do it as an independent study, in which case you must fill out an independent study form and submit it to Dr. Greene. Or, if you do the project after the middle of junior year, you may use the research from the internship to fulfill your Capstone research requirement if you meet the conditions listed on the Capstone page.
What if I want to write a senior thesis- what are the requirements for graduating with honors in HSOC?
To graduate with honors, an HSOC major enroll in HSOC 420 during spring of junior year, research and write over the summer, and complete the senior thesis during the fall of senior year. See Senior Thesis for department requirements. The senior thesis process begins in fall of your junior year as you formulate a tentative project and talk with potential advisors. To see who wrote a senior thesis in 2008-2009 and a list of their topics, download this list:
2009 Senior Symposium Schedule and Senior Thesis Titles
How do I participate in HSOC events, meet other HSOC majors, and get advice on internships, summer jobs, and careers?
Become involved with the HSOC SAB. The HSOC Student Advisory Board sponsors programs on topics of interest to HSOC majors, and is a source of information for majors on courses, careers and internships.
What courses should I take next semester?
Check to see what core requirements you still need to fulfill, and whether those courses are being offered next semester. Fall courses are: HSOC 111, HSOC 002, HSOC 275, HSOC 238. Spring courses are: HSOC 010. HSOC 100 is offered most semesters. Check to see what core and category requirements you have in your concentration, what courses you need to fulfill them, and what semester those courses are offered. Then review the list of department offerings and courses in other departments to see what new courses might apply towards your concentration.
What if there are courses I want to take that are not on the approved list for the concentration?
Submit a petition to have a course count toward your concentration. If the course fits in with the other courses you are taking for your concentration and fits into the requirements for each concentration, then it most likely will be approved. Students should petition courses the semester they are taking the course. Download the Petition form and submit it to Dr. Greene or Dr. Barnes.
What about internships related to HSOC?
Check the "Opportunities" link on this website -- the HSOC SAB has compliled a database of internships to get you started. Also, we strongly suggest you contact Career Services.
SUBMATRICULATION
Submatriculation permits a student to earn a combined B.A.-M.A. in four years.
Submatriculation is part of the graduate program of the Department of History and Sociology of Science, the parent department of the Health and Societies major. A submatriculated student earns an M.A. in the History and Sociology of Science in combination with a B.A. in HSOC. To earn this combined degree in four years, undergraduates must complete ALL requirements for graduation from Penn with a B.A., and all requirements for submatriculation in the School of Arts and Sciences.
There is NO submatriculation in HSOC--the submatriculation option is part of the graduate program of History and Sociology of Science, related to but not at all identical to the curriculum of HSOC. There is no formal application process for submatriculation -it is more of an invitation on a case-by-case basis. A student that shows both the interest in and ability for graduate level work in the History and Sociology of Science begins having conversation with a relevant faculty member, usually during sophomore year and no later than the beginning of junior year. Through these conversations and through academic advising, athe process of submatriculation can begin. Admission for submatriculation requires unequivocal support from a faculty member with whom they have worked closely and an unequivocal vote of the full HSSC faculty.
