The Health of Communities
SOC 315
Fall 2007
| Section:
01
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| Crosslisting:
SISP 315 |
| Course Cluster: Service-Learning |
Our focus will be on understanding the role of social factors (such as income, work environment, social cohesion, food, and transportation systems) in determining the health risks of individuals; learning about the historical antecedents of the contemporary community health center model of care in response to the needs of vulnerable populations; and studying (through participation and observation) the conduct of research designed to document and/or support efforts to improve the health of communities. We will explore the concept of social medicine, the importance of vocabulary and categorization in any discussion of health care, the complex issues involved in population categorization, ethical issues in the generation and utilization of community-based research, and the idea of just health care. Enrolled students will serve as volunteer research assistants (3-4 hours/week) with one of the ongoing research projects being conducted by Middletown's Community Health Center (CHC). These may include school-based efforts to reduce the risk of obesity, the health needs of homeless persons, assessment of the transition from paper to electronic medical records, and an oral history project on how meaningful changes to local healthcare systems have been accomplished. |
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Essential Capabilities:
None |
| Credit: 1.25 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
SBS SOC |
| Course Format: Seminar | Grading Mode: Graded |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (CIVI-MN)(ENVS-MN)(ENVS)(HRAD-MN)(IDEA-MN)(IDEA)(SOC)(STS) |
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Past Enrollment Probability: Not Available |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
Starr, THE SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION OF AMERICAN MEDICINE
Kawachi and Berkman, NEIGHBORHOODS AND HEALTH
Sered and Fernandopulle, UNINSURED IN AMERICA
Rhodes, Battin & Silvers, eds., MEDICINE AND SOCIAL JUSTICE
Marmot and Wilkinson, eds., SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH
Farmer, PATHOLOGIES OF POWER
Course packet or e-reserve readings with shorter works, including memoir and journal articles.
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Examinations and Assignments:
Regular attendance and informed participation in discussion; one-page informal written responses to assigned readings; an ongoing journal of field notes; three short (2-3 page) graded commentaries on assigned readings; and a final research paper linked to the CHC project with which the student has been involved. |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
Must apply and be interviewed to take this course. Open to majors in any discipline. Preference to juniors and seniors, and not open to first-year students. Request an application, POI form, and course details from the instructor by e-mail: pcbest@wesleyan.edu. Permission of instructor will be granted prior to or during the Adjustment Period. |
| Instructor(s): Carey Best,Peggy Times: ...W... 01:10PM-04:00PM; Location: RSCSEM; |
Permission of Instructor Required
Enrollment capacity: 12 | Permission of instructor approval will be granted by the instructor during pre-registration through the Electronic Portfolio. Click "Add to My Courses" and "To request a POI electronically, click here" to submit your request. |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 3 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 0 | 3rd Ranked: 1 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 2 |
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