HMS 2960 - CULTURE, HEALTH, AND POLICY LAW IMPACTING VULNERABLE POPULATIONS

credits: 3.0
HMS 2960 and SSC 2960, is a co-requisite field code, travel course that will focus on society, culture, policies, and law as they impact on the health, wellness, and resilience of select vulnerable populations. Aspects of vulnerability include those factors which increase the susceptibility of having adverse or less than optimal health outcomes based upon biological, societal, environmental-lifestyle, psychological, or financial circumstances. The aim is to understand how healthcare needs and resources are balanced within a society or culture, through an exploration of social concepts, art forms, and legal policies, within a global context. Will explore cultural arts, religion, architecture, paintings, music, handcrafts, dance, and food as they contribute to health, resiliency, legal policies, and the ability to adapt to change, while embracing cultural heritage. Daily walking tours, group discussions, online research, journaling, and presentations will be included in this immersion experience. The sharing and presentation of objective and subjective data gathered individually, and in small groups, will facilitate an expanded understanding of the distinct challenges faced by vulnerable populations in the context of social, legal, and distributive justice. Students must be able to walk distances to the various attractions and sites. Objectives: A) Apply principles of cultural arts and traditions to understanding in health maintenance and outcomes of community, societal, and global communities; B) Explore selected concepts, policies, cultural arts, and legal aspects as they relate to cultural resiliency among vulnerable populations in the global environment; C) Assess legal rights and healthcare structures as they align with the needs of culturally diverse and vulnerable populations; D) Discuss the need for a holistic approach to understanding the relationships of resilience, traditions, and cultural heritage alternatives as health strategies in global exploration; E) Employ concepts of cultural arts and research to facilitate optimal health outcomes among those most vulnerable to adverse health outcomes. Method of Instruction: Readings, on-line films, PowerPoints, cultural competency course-certification, daily discussions, walking tours, journaling, and presentations. Method of Evaluation: Cultural Competency Certificate - Required prior to travel, (pass/fail); Paper to answer assigned questions from required films (pass/fail); Data Collection (using assessment tool*) 20%; Discussion Participation at daily morning preps / evening wrap-ups, 20%; Presentation Project (final paper and presentation) combined total 40%; Journal Notes 20%. Meets *GLP Distribution Requirement. TRAVEL COURSE, FEES ASSOCIATED.

Prerequisite(s): INSTRUCTOR’S SIGNATURE REQUIRED.
Co-Requisite(s): SSC 2960