BH 556 Social Justice and Health (5 credits)
T/Th, 10:30-12:50
Instructor: Erika Blacksher, PhD
This course examines the moral grounds for the view that social inequalities in health (“health disparities”) are unjust. Using contemporary literature from moral philosophy and bioethics, case studies, and film, this course engages students in fundamental questions of social justice inquiry in public health and health policy, including: Who is responsible for health and what is our individual responsibility to/for structural inequalities?, Which goods should be subject to considerations of justice?, Is health a special good?, What is a fair share of these goods?, and Who counts? This course also explores ethical challenges to and constraints on the pursuit of health equity. The course consists primarily of interactive lectures and small group discussions based on case studies and small group exercises.
BH 509 When Life Makes you sick: Ethics and the Social Determinants of Health (2 credits)
Wednesdays, 5:30-7:20
Instructor: Erika Blacksher, PhD
This course engages students in ethical questions that confront health care workers in medicine, nursing, public health, social work, and dentistry who serve poor and minority patient populations. Drawing on literature from bioethics, moral philosophy, social epidemiology, and health policy, the course investigates the ethical implications of the social determinants of health for providers and systems of health care. Using case studies and small groups to drive discussion, students examine topics ranging from clinician and patient responsibilities, to controversial disease prevention programs and policies, to resource allocation and broader questions of social justice.
Student performance is evaluated on the basis of their active participation in small and whole group discussions and a 5-page reflection paper due at the end of the quarter.
