Critical Health Studies Course Sequence
Sequence of Courses
Back to overview »(physical, emotional, intellectual, interpersonal, cultural, spiritual, environmental, financial, occupational)
General Education
Social Science
Global Studies
Lab Science
Modern Language
Physical Education/Wellness
Gender Inquiry
Mathematics
Core Courses 10-14 courses
Early Program
Introductory Seminar: Decolonization as Theory and Practice
This course functions as an introduction to the critical approach of decolonization that runs through the entire major. Drawing on work from indigenous scholars, feminist philosophy, and ethics, the course aims to create a shared vocabulary and guiding practices for doing the work of decolonization both inside and outside of the academy. Medical terminology will also be introduced.
Scientific Processes in a Changing World
This course will inform students of the scientific process using historical and current case studies drawn from epidemiology and broader STEM fields. We will explore the scientific process of using observations to make hypotheses, ethically and responsibility collecting data to test those hypotheses and form new theories about the determinants of health, and disseminating knowledge to a broad audience. We will explore the ways that contemporary cultural beliefs shape scientific reasoning. The course will emphasize ethical approaches to science and clearly written communication of scientific findings.
Chemistry for the Life Sciences
This course introduces the molecular basis of life. It starts from atoms, moving to organic compounds and how they form molecules in our body such as carbohydrates, proteins, and nucleic acids. It also introduces the chemistry of solutions including sugar, acids, bases, and buffers that are relevant to environmental, food, and health issues. Students will gain a basic understanding of chemistry as it applies to life and health-related sciences after the completion of the course.
Foundations of Entrepreneurship
This course introduces students to entrepreneurial concepts, topics, and terminology. Students will practice professional writing, including grant writing, memos, proposals, and pitches. The course will also focus on maintaining occupational well-being and examining systems of power around entrepreneurship and business.
Middle Program
Components of Health 1 and 2: Students enrolled in this two-course progression will explore the nine components of health (physical, emotional, intellectual, interpersonal, cultural, spiritual, environmental, financial, occupational) from an applied perspective. Students will examine health inequalities and health inequities, and critically analyze personal, community, and global approaches to health.
Interpreting Research and Statistics. Recommendations about health and human behavior, such as what health treatments you should pursue, are based on scientific studies and statistical analysis. But how do researchers get from gathering data in an experiment to claims about what people should do? This course will train students to be informed consumers of research and statistics, with an emphasis on knowing what research methods are necessary to support claims about cause and effect; what statistical significance does (and does not) tell us; when claims can be generalized from a sample to population; and how to interpret effect sizes and interactions, including moderation and mediation.
Anatomy, physiology, and embodiment: This course provides an introduction to the structure and function of the human body, health, and wellbeing, in the context of culture with a focus on embodiment. While human bodies around the world are fundamentally structured and function the same ways, race, class, gender, sexuality, (dis)ability, age, size, and other factors influence how people experience life in their bodies. This course is appropriate for students pursuing both medical and nonmedical fields but cannot be taken in place of BIOL 218 and 219.
Healthy Psyches: In this experiential learning course, students will explore the meaning of mental health over time and across cultures. Potential topics include creativity, physical activity, play, spirituality, compassion, healthy relationships, and lifelong learning. Students will apply theories of behavior change and facilitate goal setting and stress management techniques.
Late Program
Strategic Communication in Health Contexts: Strategic communication includes theories and practices in public relations, advocacy/activism, health communication, marketing communication, investor relations, fundraising, media relations, lobbying, and content marketing. This course introduces students to values-driven approaches that not-for-profit and for-profit organizations can use to more effectively reach their target audiences. Students will learn how to leverage digital media and use analytics to maximize the impact of communication strategies. Class research project on health-related case studies, individual portfolio and oral presentation required. (technology, rhetoric, and persuasion, creativity)
Critical Action Senior Seminar: Seniors majoring in Critical Health Studies will apply transdisciplinary thinking as they work together with community members to identify a local health need, brainstorm potential solutions, and create a product that engages with the mission of decolonization to ethically build a healthy community together. https://www.who.int/alliance-hpsr/resources/alliancehpsr_hpsrreaderpart4_7.pdf?ua=1
References
Fahey, T.D., Insel, P.M., Roth, W.T., Insel, C.E.A. (2017). Fit & well: Core concepts and labs in physical fitness and wellness (12th ed.). McGraw Hill Education.Back to overview »