SYLLABUS

Spring 2026

TITLE:	Health and Society
PA 388K (65525), SOC (45965), LAW 389V (30675); BUS (), WGS
393 (47165)

FACULTY	Jacqueline L. Angel, Ph.D.

MEETING TIME AND PLACE	Monday, 2-5 pm, SRH 3.212
OFFICE HOURS	Tuesday, 10-11 am, SRH 3.239; Zoom and by appointment. You may also drop by to see if I am in or contact me in advance to meet with me.

EMAIL	jangel@austin.utexas.edu

VOICE	512.471.2956
COURSE OVERVIEW

This course provides an overview of the policymaking process in healthcare. Particular attention is given to the major players in the process and the legal structures that define rights to various forms of care. Statutes, regulations, court rulings, and administrative processes are examined to show how they determine eligibility, regulate providers, and influence the financing and delivery of services. In light of the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade, the course analyzes political and legal initiatives intended to protect women’s reproductive rights. Regulatory laws and their changing application in the new political environment are also reviewed, along with policies affecting access to care among populations with different levels of insurance coverage. The interaction of social factors in policy formation introduces vulnerabilities for individuals and groups with limited resources. Although the primary focus is the United States, comparative perspectives on how other nations address health equity and access are included. The course is motivated by the recognition that health, disease, and medical care have group-specific dimensions that intersect with economic and political structures as well as legal institutions. Gaps in knowledge about specific illnesses and appropriate treatments have direct consequences that will be investigated and debated. Readings highlight the role of social institutions in shaping individuals’ health and health care access. Specific topics include reproductive and post-reproductive health; solitary parenting and the stress of raising children alone; social supports and health care; divorce and health changes; work-related disability; and high-prevalence illnesses such as breast and ovarian cancer, palliative care, prostate cancer, drug and alcohol abuse, and the regulations influencing research into high-risk groups. We review the role of major actors, such as regulatory and legislative bodies at various levels of government, professional organizations, unions, educational institutions in determining access and protecting patients and providers.
FORMAT

The seminar will follow a fairly standard format that consists of readings with group discussion and
presentations. Weekly readings will be listed on the course syllabus in Canvas (http://canvas.utexas.edu). 

REQUIRED BOOK

Wilensky, Sarah E. and Joel B. Teitelbaum. 2023. Essentials of Health Policy and Law. 5th Edition. Jones and Bartlett. Burlington, MA.

EVALUATION

Students will be evaluated on the basis of class participation (30%); written essays (20%),  and a term project, which requires each student to develop a policy-relevant topic through an issue framing memorandum (40%) and oral briefing (10%).