Foundations in Health and Disability

Catalog description

Introduction to the subject matter, what the course is about: Through an interdisciplinary framework, this course will introduce students to the foundational tenets of health and disability across the lifespan. This course provides students exposure to the theoretical and systems (institutional) issues surrounding health and disability, by exposing students to contemporary cultural, economic, and social constructs of health and disability. The course will comprehensively encompass key theoretical foundations and system constructs that underpin health and social care in the U.S. Interdisciplinary and evidence-driven approaches will prepare students for advanced application of research methods to health and disability topics. The course prepares students to integrate interdisciplinary perspectives into research approaches in health and human services. How the course fits in the college or department curriculum: The course offers core content knowledge to students entering Health and Disability track in the second year of the CHHS PhD Program. The content is highly anticipated to also be of interest and value to Masters students across health science programs in CHHS as well as Masters and PhD students in COLA. Therefore, the course will also be promoted and cross-listed as a 900-level elective within both colleges to assure adequate enrollment. Why students would want to learn the material: Health and Human Services is a rapidly changing and evolving industry. The quality of life and health of citizens today is dependent upon high quality health and social systems that address the diverse health, environmental, economic, and cultural needs of all people. This course introduces students to advanced issues related to health equity, the social determinants of health, data integration and interoperability to prepare students to use emerging technologies and inclusive…