Natural Science 0238 - Women's health in America

The main goal of this course is to examine the health issues/risks women face in the United States. We will examine the roles of medical research and the public health community in setting the health care agenda for women. Through the course students will gain a clearer understanding of the biology of life cycle changes, how health inequalities are generated and perpetuated, and how to think critically about their own health choices. From infancy to old age we will explore perceptions of wellness and illness across the life span focusing on such areas as: growth and development, menstruation, contraception, pregnancy and birth, menopause, osteoporosis and heart disease (to name a few). We start with women's health in antiquity and progress to contemporary times, charting the major trends in patterns of disease and poor health and examining women's bodies and women's role in constructing health dialogues in medicine. Enrollment for this class is limited to second- and third-year students.

Independent Work Multiple Cultural Perspectives Quantitative Skills Writing and Research Enrollment is limited to second- and third-year students.