The Health of Communities
SOC 315
Fall 2006
| 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 observation and participation) the conduct of research that documents 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 community-based research, and the idea of just health care. Enrolled students will serve as volunteer research assistants with one of the ongoing research projects being conducted by Middletown's Community Health Center (CHC). These include school-based efforts to reduce the risk of obesity, the health needs of homeless persons, perinatal mental health, and the transition from paper to electronic medical records. |
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Essential Capabilities:
Ethical Reasoning, Writing |
| 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
Farmer, PATHOLOGIES OF POWER
Marmot, ed., SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH
Quadagno, ONE NATION, UNINSURED
Rhodes, Battin & Silvers, eds,. MEDICINE AND SOCIAL JUSTICS
Starr, THE SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION OF AMERICAN MEDICINE
Troesken, WATER, RACE AND DISEAS
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Examinations and Assignments:
Regular attendance and informed participation in discussion; an ongoing journal of field notes; several 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 working. |
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 Fall 2006 semester Add/Drop period. |
| Instructor(s): Carey Best,Peggy Times: ....R.. 01:10PM-04:00PM; Location: BTFDA414; |
Permission of Instructor Required
Enrollment capacity: 12 | Permission of instructor will be granted during the drop/add period. Students must submit either a ranked or unranked drop/add request for this course. |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 3 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 0 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 3 |
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