Health Equity
Department Website: Health Equity
The minor in Health Equity employs a multidisciplinary academic approach to explore social determinants of health, healthcare inequities, and the social construction of scientific knowledge. Attracting students who plan to enter health science careers, as well as those primarily interested in social justice/social change, the Health Equity minor will provide a strong foundation for understanding how cultural and structural forces impact the health and health care of communities, influence individuals’ choices and relationship to information, and shape the processes and implications of health science. With a heavy emphasis on social sciences, humanities, and experiential learning, the Health Equity minor cultivates an understanding of the inextricable relationship between human health, social justice, and ethics in research and treatment.
Health Equity Minor
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required | ||
| Select one of the following Introduction to Social Structures & Inequalities courses: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Sociology | ||
| Introduction to Solidarity and Social Justice | ||
| HEAL 201/SOCI 283/SOSJ 221 | Sociology of Health and Medicine | 3 |
| Select one of a combination of the following Experiential Learning courses: | 3 | |
| Health Equity Internship 1 | ||
| Organizing for Health Equity | ||
| Solidarity and Social Justice Praxis (HEAL/SOSJ double minors) | ||
| Electives | ||
| Any HEAL 105-496 | 9 | |
| Total Hours | 18 | |
- 1
Student will locate internship opportunities independently, with the assistance of the Center for Community Engagement/Health Professions Pathways Program
Courses
HEAL 104. Indigenous Science. (2 Credits)
This lecture and laboratory course content will be determined by the instructor to meet the learning objectives of the Scientific Inquiry requirement of the University Core. Fall and Spring.
Corequisites: HEAL 104L
Equivalent: NTAS 199
HEAL 193. First Year Seminar: Religion and Medicine. (3 Credits)
The First-Year Seminar (FYS) introduces new Gonzaga students to the University, the Core Curriculum, and Gonzaga’s Jesuit mission and heritage. While the seminars will be taught by faculty with expertise in particular disciplines, topics will be addressed in a way that illustrates approaches and methods of different academic disciplines. The seminar format of the course highlights the participatory character of university life, emphasizing that learning is an active, collegial process.
HEAL 195. Special Topics. (1-3 Credits)
May be repeated for credit.
Topic to be determined by instructor.
HEAL 196. Special Topics. (1-3 Credits)
May be repeated for credit.
Topic to be determined by instructor.
HEAL 201. Sociology of Health and Medicine. (3 Credits)
This course examines the social context of health, illness and health care. Particular attention will be paid to the effects of culture and social inequality on health, the interaction of various health care professionals, and political debates about the health care system.
Equivalent: SOSJ 221
HEAL 295. Special Topics. (1-3 Credits)
May be repeated for credit.
Topic to be determined by instructor.
HEAL 296. Special Topics. (1-3 Credits)
May be repeated for credit.
Topic to be determined by instructor.
HEAL 304. Feminism and Science. (3 Credits)
This course is an introduction to the interdisciplinary field of Feminist Science and Technology Studies. Students will learn what the field of FSTS has to say about various social justice issues, such as equity for women in science, the history of the science of human difference, how human values shape science in action for better or for worse, and what feminism has to offer the scientific endeavor.
Prerequisites: Prerequisites exist. Refer to Zagweb.
Equivalent: WGST 304
HEAL 318. Medical Spanish and Cultural Competency. (3 Credits)
This course is designed for students planning to work in the health care field and who want to acquire more skills in medical Spanish. We will develop new critical perspectives on health care for Hispanics in the US. Specifically, we will develop medical language skills and cultural competency for health care situations.
Prerequisites: SPAN 301 with a minimum grade of C
Equivalent: SPAN 318
HEAL 332. Urban and Community Sociology. (3 Credits)
This course investigates the way that urbanization- the increasing density and diversity of human settlements - creates challenges to and opportunities for the flourishing of communal life. We study the political economy of urban land use, the formation of segregated ghettos and ethnic enclaves, and gentrification. We also examine the potential for public spaces, community centers, parks and libraries to provide vital sources of social support and communal life. Spring, odd years.
Equivalent: SOCI 332
HEAL 333. Health Economics. (3 Credits)
This course uses microeconomic theory to explain aspects of the health care market. We discuss what makes health care distinctive as an economic good, demand for health and health care, insurance, and economic aspects of physicians, nurses, hospitals, pharmaceuticals, public health, and different types of health care systems. We will look at cost‐effectiveness and costbenefit analysis as tools to be used in health care.
Prerequisites: Prerequisites exist. Refer to Zagweb.
Equivalent: ECON 333
HEAL 343. Sociology of Reproduction. (3 Credits)
This course investigates the history and sociology of reproduction primarily within the US context. It examines how reproduction is simultaneously biological and social, focusing on a wide range of topics, including intention, pregnancy, abortion, contraception, infertility, and breastfeeding. It distinguishes reproductive rights from reproductive justice and pays particular attention to how social institutions and intersecting inequalities influence reproductive practices and policies. Every other Spring.
HEAL 364. Drugs and Society. (3 Credits)
This course will examine the effect that drugs, both legal and illegal, have on the legal justice system. Critical analysis, select lectures, in-class discussion, and writing will be the formats used to address issues such as the effect of the "war on drugs," the relationship between drugs and violence, how drugs relate to law enforcement, sentencing, and corrections within the U.S. legal justice system, and the impact of drugs on individual users.
HEAL 376. Christian Sexual Ethics. (3 Credits)
This course explores Christian perspectives on the ethical dimensions of human sexuality and issues of gender.
Equivalent: RELI 376
HEAL 383. Environmental Sociology. (3 Credits)
This course examines humans’ relationship with the natural environment. It explores how power structures, social norms, ideologies and politics affect our understanding and treatment of the environment. It also examines how relationships among social groups are played out through the process of defining nature, and through the control of animals, land, water, air, food and other natural resources.
Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Fourth Year (90+ credits), Second Year (30 - <60 credits) or Third Year (60 - <90 credits).
HEAL 395. Special Topics. (1-3 Credits)
May be repeated for credit.
Topic to be determined by instructor.
HEAL 396. Special Topics. (1-3 Credits)
May be repeated for credit.
Topic to be determined by instructor.
HEAL 432. CIS:. (3 Credits)
The Core Integration Seminar (CIS) engages the Year Four Question: “Imagining the possible: What is our role in the world?” by offering students a culminating seminar experience in which students integrate the principles of Jesuit education, prior components of the Core, and their disciplinary expertise. Each section of the course will focus on a problem or issue raised by the contemporary world that encourages integration, collaboration, and problem solving. The topic for each section of the course will be proposed and developed by each faculty member in a way that clearly connects to the Jesuit Mission, to multiple disciplinary perspectives, and to our students’ future role in the world.
Prerequisites: Prerequisites exist. Refer to Zagweb.
Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Fourth Year (90+ credits).
HEAL 455. Health Care Ethics. (3 Credits)
This course will survey a range of ethical issues pertaining to the health care professions. After examining some introductory material concerning philosophical ethics, we will proceed into three main sections of material. Section 1 will examine professional obligations, the doctorpatient relationship, and the role of nurses. Core issues here include paternalism and patient autonomy, beneficence and medical altruism, informed consent, and confidentiality. Section 2 will examine end of life care and will include discussion of euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide, surrogate decision-making, medical futility, and advance directives. Section 3 will focus on ethical issues concerning human reproduction, including abortion, artificial procreation, surrogacy, and genetic manipulation.
Prerequisites: Prerequisites exist. Refer to Zagweb.
Equivalent: PHIL 455
HEAL 459. Ethics of Eating. (3 Credits)
In this course we will cover a variety of different ethical issues concerning food. We will look at the consumption, production and transportation of food as well as organic food, GMOs, vegetarianism and veganism. We will also consider several different food movements, including the local and slow food movements as well as the food justice and food sovereignty movements. We will also include in our study reflection on our own food choices and some experiential learning.
Prerequisites: Prerequisites exist. Refer to Zagweb.
Equivalent: PHIL 459
HEAL 475. Organizing for Health Equity. (1 Credit)
May be repeated for credit.
The Community Organizing for Health Equity course facilitates learning of community organizing skills through participatory exercises, discussion, and short lectures. The course provides a foundation from which to understand the world through a different lens needed to work on
“upstream” issues. The course will equip student leaders with the tools they need to organize themselves and others to more effectively address the social justice issues that matter most to them.
Equivalent: SOSJ 475
HEAL 485. Science and Society. (3 Credits)
Science and Society is a class devoted to answering just one question: How can we use scientific knowledge responsibly?
Prerequisites: Prerequisites exist. Refer to Zagweb.
HEAL 491. Independent Study. (1-3 Credits)
May be repeated for credit.
Topic determined by instructor.
HEAL 492. Independent Study. (1-3 Credits)
May be repeated for credit.
Topic determined by instructor.
HEAL 495. Special Topics. (1-3 Credits)
May be repeated for credit.
Topic to be determined by instructor.
HEAL 496. Special Topics. (1-3 Credits)
May be repeated for credit.
Topic to be determined by instructor.
HEAL 497. Health Equity Internship. (1-3 Credits)
May be repeated for credit.
Students will locate internship opportunities independently, with the assistance of Career & Professional Development/Health Professions Pathways Program. The HEAL director or any preferred faculty member may supervise students enrolling in HEAL 497. Students may crosslist HEAL 497 with the 497- internship course in their major department, with approval of HEAL Director. Students will submit a final reflection paper.