Study Health Care and Illness in Seville, Spain: Summer 2027
Explore the social factors that shape health, illness, and health care while earning university credit in Seville, Spain.
What determines whether people enjoy good health? How do social inequality, culture, politics, and economics influence the way societies understand and respond to illness?
These are some of the questions students will explore in SOC 420: Health Care and Illness, a three-credit sociology course offered by SAIIE during Summer Session I in Seville, Spain.
The course will be taught by visiting Professor Dr. Enilda Delgado from the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse (UWL), giving students the opportunity to study an important area of sociology while experiencing university-level learning abroad.
Understanding Health Beyond Medicine
Health and illness are not simply biological experiences. They are also shaped by the societies in which people live, the resources available to them, and the ways different cultures understand health and disease.
SOC 420 examines the social, political, and economic contexts of health and illness. Students will consider how inequality influences health risks and outcomes, how societies define and respond to illness, and how healthcare systems differ across countries.
The course explores several interconnected themes:
- Social inequality and health: How social circumstances influence health risks, illness, mortality, and morbidity.
- The experience of illness: How individuals and societies understand illness, and how certain behaviors or conditions come to be viewed as medical, criminal, or personal issues.
- Health care systems and technology: How political and economic factors shape the organization and delivery of health care.
- Health professionals and bioethics: The responsibilities of healthcare professionals and the ethical questions that arise in healthcare.
By examining these topics together, students can develop a broader understanding of health as both a personal experience and a social issue.
Learn With Visiting Professor Dr. Enilda Delgado
SOC 420 will be taught by visiting Professor Dr. Enilda Delgado of the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse.
Through this course, students will engage with questions relevant to sociology, public health, healthcare, and social policy. The subject matter can also be valuable for students considering future studies or careers in healthcare, social services, public policy, or related fields.
Make Seville Part of Your Study Abroad Experience
Studying abroad provides an opportunity to learn in a different cultural environment while experiencing daily life in another country.
Located in southern Spain, Seville offers a distinctive setting for an international summer program. Students can explore the city’s history, architecture, food, and traditions while meeting other students and experiencing Spanish culture.
Through SAIIE’s summer program, students can combine academic coursework with living in Seville, staying with a carefully selected Spanish host family, and discovering the city beyond the classroom.
No previous Spanish language experience is required for the summer program, making it accessible to students from a range of academic backgrounds.
Course Details: SOC 420 – Health Care and Illness
- Credits: 3 U.S. semester credits
- Term: Summer Session I, 2027
- Dates: May 23–June 19, 2027
- Instructor: Visiting Professor Dr. Enilda Delgado, University of Wisconsin–La Crosse
- Location: Seville, Spain
- Subject area: Sociology
Course availability is subject to enrollment and program updates.
Interested in Studying in Seville?
If you are interested in sociology, public health, healthcare, or the relationship between society and well-being, SOC 420 offers an opportunity to explore these subjects while studying abroad in Spain.
Learn more about SAIIE’s Summer Study Abroad Program in Seville and explore the available courses.
For questions about the program or course options, contact SAIIE at seanrc@saiie.com.
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