Introduction to Health and Social Care Essay Question

What am I required to do in this assignment?

The first assignment task is to write a 1500-word essay on ONE of the topics given below which relate to issues covered in Part 1 of the teaching programme. You must choose ONE of the following essay titles/topics.

1. Using examples from the UK, discuss the ways in which a person’s socio-economic class and his/her social situation can have an impact of his/her health.

2. Feminists argue that gender stereotyping and medicalisation have historically had a negative impact on women’s health. Discuss.

3. To what extent have constructions of masculinity and gender stereotyping impacted on men’s health?

4. Access to health and social care services in the UK is not equitable. Critically discuss this argument in relation to one of the following: black and minority ethnic (BME) groups, gender, age or disability.

5. Compare and contrast the psychosocial and the biomedical models of health and illness.

6. Discuss in what ways the dying process has been medicalised and commodified in Western societies.

Your essay should include:

·       Your chosen title

·       An introduction which tells the reader what the aims and objectives of the essay are and an overview of the themes you will be discussing.

·       A first paragraph in which you define the key terms used in your essay

·       The main body of your essay in paragraph format

·       A conclusion where you draw the threads of your discussion together and show how you have addressed your aims and objectives.

You will be expected to draw on parts of at least six sources, only one can be an Internet source and the remaining five should be academic/peer-reviewed sources (that is academic books or academic journals), to support your discussion.  The six is a minimum; students are encouraged to carry out wider reading.

Written expression is an important element of good written communication, so try to write clearly and accurately. Also put yourself in the position of the audience and ask yourself whether someone coming to your work ‘cold’ would be able to follow your train of thought. Proof read your work before handing it in and/or ask a trusted person to read it through for you.            

No more than 5 –10% of the assignment should be in the form of quotations.

You must use the Harvard referencing system to identify the source of all the information used in your assignment. You must reference systematically throughout the work itself and include a reference of the sources cited in your work.  Please pay particular attention secondary referencing in the referencing guidelines. You will find a copy of the latest referencing guidelines on the unit’s BREO site. Also read the section headed ‘Plagiarism and Bad Academic Practice’ in the Assessment and Feedback section of the unit’s BREO site.

Your work must be word processed, double spaced and page numbered. You must also include a word count.

You are reminded that plagiarism of any type will be penalised and result in your work not being marked/failing.