Global Health
Faculty
Ellen Du Pré (director), Anya Butt
Statement of philosophy
As a member of the Heartland Global Health Consortium, 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.
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 (3)
2. Complete one of the following (Globalization and Health focus, 3-4 credits)
ANTH 260 Medical Anthropology (4)
ANTH 363 Human Rights, Culture and Politics (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
3. 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)
4. Complete one of the following (Sustainability focus, 3-4 credits)
ENVS 120 Introduction to Environmental Science (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)
SUST 125 Introduction to Global Sustainability (4)
LAS 410 Courses by approval (3-4)
5. 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 The 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.