Global Health
Faculty
Anya Butt (director)
Statement of philosophy
This minor enables students to be global citizens, aware of the interconnections between health, development, andt the environment. Health issues often 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 human development, policy, sustainability, and cultural and personal awareness. The required courses provide students with a perspective on society and epidemiology as well as tools to help analyze spatial ecology of diseases.
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.
Global Health Minor Requirements (18-22 credits):
- Complete all of the following (6 credits)
BIOL 210 Epidemiology (3)
GEOG 320 Principles of GIS with Lab (3)
- Complete one of the following (3-4 credits)
PHIL 121 Ethics (3)
PHIL 346 Biomedical Ethics (4)
- Complete one of the following (Lifespan & Development focus, 3-4 credits)
EDUC 181 Developmental Psychology (3)
KIN 220 Personal Wellness (3)
KIN 233 Lifespan Nutrition (3)
PSYC 240 Psychology of Gender (3)
PSYC 277/477 Clinical Neuroscience (4)
PSYC 279/479 Social, Affective, and Developmental Neuroscience (4)
- Complete one of the following (Policy & Sustainability focus, 3-4 credits)
BIOL 333 Climate Change and Human Health (4)
ENVS 233 Environmental Health (3)
GERM 362 Germany and the Environment (3) (not offered regularly)
KIN 261 Community, Consumer, and Global Health (3)
PHYS 204 Energy and Environment (not offered regularly) (3)
POLS 140 Introduction of International Politics (4)
SJST 220 Environmental Justice (3)
SOC 275 Sociology or Health, Illness & Healthcare (4)
SOC 335 Globalization and Development (4)
- Complete one of the following (Cultural and Personal Awareness focus, (3-4 credits)
COMM 268 Intercultural Communication (3)
COMM 376 Communicating Health & Illness (4)
ENGL 270 Illness and Health in Literature (4)
ENVS 240 Agriculture and Sustainability (3)
PSYC 330 Multicultural Issues in Psychology (3)
SOC 225 Social Problems (3)
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.