Community Health Minor
Community health is an interdisciplinary field of study that seeks to improve the health characteristics of diverse communities through a research-based understanding of social, cultural, and environmental determinants. Coursework examines determinants of health through the viewpoints offered by:
- psychology
- sociology
- biology
- philosophy
Upon completion, students will better understand the underlying social, economic, psychological, and environmental forces that create health and social inequities in a community and be more informed health practitioners.
Because student experience with and knowledge of medically underserved populations is becoming increasingly important for healthcare practitioners, all students pursuing health-related professions are encouraged to earn the minor in community health.
The Community Health minor requires a minimum of 18 credit hours.
All prerequisites must be completed prior to enrollment in the following courses.
This is a survey course providing a study of the behavior of living organisms, particularly human behavior. Typical problems are methods and measurement in psychology, theoretical systems, learning, motivation, perception, personality and psychopathology.
Study of the interrelationships among biological, psychological and social factors in health and illness. Topics will include health promotion and illness prevention, behavioral medicine and psychoneuroimmunology.
This course introduces students to the social realities of drug use and drug users. Drawing from sociological and criminological perspectives, the course focuses on the historical significance and social construction of drug use, users, abuse and addiction; the relationship between drug use and racism/class conflict; medicalization in contemporary societies; and social movements aiming to effect attitude and policy change.
Choose one course from the following (3 hrs.):
Students will be introduced to the field of community psychology, which seeks to understand the relationship between environmental conditions and the health and psychosocial well-being of community members. This course will explore the various theoretical bases of community psychology. Special emphasis will be placed on experiential learning, as students will examine the social issues, social institutions, and other settings that influence their local community. Lastly, students will concentrate on the practice of community psychology, by increasing their awareness of organizations aimed at improving quality of life in their local community.
Choose one course from the following (3 hrs.):
This course explores the causes and consequences of institutionalized inequality and how life chances, including life, health and death differ by race, socioeconomic status, and gender. Special emphasis will be given to how these social statuses affect health outcomes in the community.
This course examines the social determinants and consequences of health, illness, and health care. Major areas of investigation include the subjective experience of health and illness; the role of political, economic, cultural, and environmental factors in fostering ill health and health disparities; societal forces which shape and constrain healthcare delivery systems, personnel, and an individuals’ responses to illness; and the role of social movements in social changes in health, illness, and health care.