The study of emerging diseases can become a "hook" to engage undergraduate students in critical questioning of social inequalities and health. A biology course, Biological Issues: Emerging Diseases, provides opportunities to introduce undergraduate students to concepts of world health, social inequalities and the importance of human rights, infrastructure and action on the health of populations. Students explore biological and social issues in the spread of diseases such as AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis to develop perspectives on the multiple forces in disease spread.
Students in Emerging Diseases learn the need for local and global activism through the study of complex problems and strategies to confront them. They develop the ability to utilize data from UNICEF, WHO and CDC to investigate questions of who gets sick and why and who has access to care. Students read biology, history and literatureas they develop critical,interdisciplinary perspectives on health and disease.
See biology.beloit.edu/emgdis/index.htmlLearning Objectives: To demonstrate how issues of social justice and human rights can be introdued at undergraduate level through teaching about emerging infectious diseases
Keywords: Emerging Diseases, Education
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: none
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.