Health, Science and Society
SPS Certificate website: sps.northwestern.edu/undergraduate-certificate/health-science-society
This certificate program is designed for individuals interested in life science, medicine, public health, health policy, or allied health who seek to explore the intersections of health, science, and society. Through for-credit courses in multiple disciplines, students examine the social and cultural aspects of health and illness, delineate essential characteristics of health and disease, scrutinize ethical considerations in medicine, and recognize societal determinants of health that can foster favorable health outcomes.
Health, Science, and Society Courses
BIOL_SCI 312-CN The Evolutionary Biology of Human Anatomy, Health and Disease (1 Unit)
Key features of human anatomy, health and disease from an evolutionary perspective. Review of some evolutionary processes, overview of human evolutionary history, consideration of the primary body systems and regions in the human organism. The historical context of selected human structures and their function/dysfunction across these systems.
HLTH_SCI 317-DL Culturally Responsive Healthcare (1 Unit)
This course's objective is to equip healthcare professionals with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes for delivering culturally responsive care to a variety of patient populations. Participants will delve into the influence of culture on health beliefs, behaviors, and healthcare outcomes. The course employs a mix of lectures, discussions, case studies, journals, papers, and presentations designed to foster the development of culturally relevant healthcare practice that leads to equitable and patient-centered care.
PHIL 269-DL Bioethics (1 Unit)
Ethical analysis of a variety of issues such as the human genome project, genetic therapy, cloning and stem cell transplantation, human and animal research, reproductive technologies, and the allocation of resources.
PUB_HLTH 343-DL Healthcare Disparities, Inequities, and Social Determinants of Health (1 Unit)
This course examines the impact of social categorizations of difference, including race, class, gender, sexuality, age and religion, on access to healthcare and individual health outcomes. Students will critically explore current debates of social inequity in healthcare policy and research.