Global Health

Faculty

Ellen DuPré (director), Anya Butt

 

Statement  of philosophy

Central College believes that we are responsible for producing global citizens who are, aware of the interconnections between health, development, environment, and social justice.  As global citizens, we understand that health issues around the world have global impacts, as diseases can cross borders and the global economy can drive both health care policy and environmental conditions.  This interdisciplinary minor program is designed to prepare students to understand and appreciate that health issues require solutions grounded in a holistic combination of globalization, policy, sustainability, and cultural and personal awareness.  The required courses provide students with a global perspective on society and epidemiology.   

Students choosing careers in all pre-health programs as well as public policy, planning, international studies, social work, anthropology, environmental studies, and health communications are well-served by this minor. Students are encouraged to study internationally to enhance their development as global citizens, and to pursue relevant internships. 

The current requirements were established under the previous core and based on course offerings in departments during this same period.  Adjustments/substitutions may need to occur as new courses for the core are updated and course offerings withing departments are changing.  Please see the director with questions.

 

Global Health Minor Requirements (21-25 credits):

  1. Complete all of the following (9 credits)
    BIOL     210      Epidemiology (3)

    GEOG   210      Human Geography (4) or GEOG 215 Introduction to International Studies (3)
    GEOG   320     Principles of GIS with Lab (3)
  1. Complete one of the following (Globalization and Health focus, 3-4 credits)
    ANTH   260       Medical Anthropology (4)

    ANTH   363       Human Rights, Politics and Culture (4)
    ANTH   370       Anthropology of Violence (4)
    PSYC   240       Psychology of Gender (3)
    SOC     335       Globalization and Development (4)
    LAS      410       Courses by approval (3-4)
    Approved service- learning project in a health agency by arrangement, minimum 3 credits

  2. Complete one of the following (Policy focus, 3-4 credits)
     ECON   321        Environmental Economics (3)

    ECON    329        Economic Development (3)
    POLS     140         Introduction of International Politics (4)
    POLS     233         American Environmental Politics and Policy (4)
    POLS     241         International Political Economy (4)
    POLS     344        International Law and Human Rights (4)

  3. Complete one of the following (Sustainability focus, 3-4 credits)
     ENVS     120       Introduction to Environmental Science with Lab (4)

    ENVS      240       Agriculture and Sustainability (3)
    GEOG     325       Planning for Sustainable Communities (4)
    GERM     362       Germany and the Environment (3)
    PHYS      204       Energy and Environment (not offered regularly) (3)
    POLS      242       Global Sustainability Politics (4)
    SUS        125       Introduction to Global Sustainability (4)
    LAS         410       Courses by approval (3-4)
  1. Complete one of the following (Cultural and personal awareness focus, 3 credits)
     COMM   276        Communicating in Health and Illness (3)

     ENGL     213        Literature, Environment, and Ecology (3)
     KIN         261        Community, Consumer and Global Health (3)
     PHIL      121         Ethics (3)
     PHIL      127         Meaning of Life (3)
     PSYC    330         Multicultural Issues in Psychology (3)
     SOC      225         Social Problems (3)
     LAS       410         Courses by approval (3-4)

 

Experiential Learning and Internship Opportunities

As part of the minor, students are encouraged to engage in experiential learning through research, service-learning or internships in Iowa and elsewhere.  This experience will help students better understand the various fields within global health they might pursue after graduation through career or graduate study. Students are encouraged to begin to work with faculty members who conduct research related to global health and to contact the Office of Career Development and Civic Engagement early in their college career.