PH 5000 OL1 (CRN: 61836) —
Public Health: Controversies in Public Health (OL1)
3 credit hours—Seats Available!
Registration
About PH 5000 OL1
Public health and health policy issues provoke controversy. Compelling scientific evidence suggests strategies to prevent disease and illness, but progress is driven by scientific advances and societal norms. Highlights current health issues through the lens of controversies to determine what impedes our collective progress towards a healthier society for individuals and communities. Prerequisite: Junior, Senior, or Graduate student; Honors College Sophomores by Instructor permission.
Notes
Open to graduate-level students and junior and senior undergraduate students; Honors College Sophmores with permission. Contact Pallas.Ziporyn@uvm.edu with questions Asynchronous, online.
Section Description
Public health, health care, and health policy issues provoke controversy. Compelling scientific evidence suggests strategies to prevent disease and illness, but progress is driven by scientific advances and societal norms. This course highlights current health issues through the lens of controversies to determine what impedes our collective progress towards a healthier society for individuals and populations.
In this course we will explore controversies surrounding health literacy and misinformation (including AI and social media); health care costs, reform, and policy; mental health; preventing firearm injuries; immunizations and vaccine-preventable diseases; obesity, ultra-processed foods and the new food pyramid; physical activity, sedentary behavior, and longevity, and more!
By the end of the course, students should be able to analyze current public health and health policy issues through the lens of controversies surrounding each topic. Students will discover strategies for finding high-quality web-based health information to identify sources of misinformation and disinformation. Students will also demonstrate critical thinking skills to evaluate and interpret scientific evidence related to public health and health policy topics.
Throughout the course, we will discuss, informally debate, and analyze the most current, complex, and controversial public health and health policy topics.
Section Expectation
Section Expectations: This online course will be structured in 6 weekly modules covering one or more topics in the course. There is a required textbook supplemented by online readings, online lectures, and additional materials. Through a lively series of online discussions, students will discuss and informally debate complex and controversial public health and health policy topics. Timely and regular contributions are required. Students should expect to spend a minimum of 6-8 hours per week on coursework outside of class, with additional time for the short written assignment and final project.
Evaluation
Grades will be based on participation in discussions, short quizzes and written assignments, and a final project chosen by the student on a controversial public health and health policy topic.
Important Dates
Courses may be cancelled due to low enrollment. Show your interest by enrolling.
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