Here is a short description of each of the classes that I taught in the past:

Introduction to Public Health

In this course, we will examine what public health is and how it functions through each of its core areas: epidemiology/biostatistics, health policy, environmental health, and social/behavioral aspects of health.

Introduction to Fieldwork and Professionalism in Public Health

This course is designed to introduce students to the profession of public health. In addition to spending 40 hours observing in an onsite placement at a public health organization, students meet in the classroom to discover the wide range of employment settings, public health professional agencies and organizations, and to develop the skills necessary to be a successful public health professional. Learning about best practices within public health, students apply their knowledge by assessing strengths and challenges across different public health agency/program/organization sites. Students also compare missions, objectives and functions of a variety of agencies involved in public health education and determine which types of agencies best fit the students’ own personal and professional goals related to public health. A critical part of this course is the in-class meetings where students will have the opportunity to compare experiences, apply general public health understanding to real-life settings, and gain an understanding of how to prepare for a career in public health.

Addressing Health Disparities through Social Justice

This course will explore the health disparities that exist among and between groups of people based on key demographic factors including race, ethnicity, gender, class, sexual orientation, age, and ability. Situated within the historical record of public health in the United States, this course will review the social, political, cultural, legal, and ethical factors that influence health disparities. Significant attention will be given to the idea that health and access to health care is a basic human right in a just society.

Research Methods

By the end of this course, students will be better able to read and understand research in Public Health and will also have the skills to plan for conducting basic research. Specifically, students  gain a better understanding of the methodology and theory behind health research through reading and critical analysis of peer-reviewed literature, classroom based lecture and discussion, and development of a research proposal.

Applied Program Planning and Evaluation

In this course, students apply the principles and methods of program planning and evaluation through a variety of hands-on learning activities. Drawing from the program planning and evaluation theories and principles learned in HLTH 528, students practice and refine skills in: setting program goals and objectives; designing surveys and other measurement instruments (both quantitative and qualitative); collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data; and using data to modify and improve health promotion programs. Students explore issues of program implementation and fidelity, working within local contexts and cultures, and program sustainability.

Minority Women’s Health

Minority Women’s Health is a master’s level public health course that will enable students to strengthen and apply theory and skills gained in public health courses towards the process of critically evaluating minority women’s health research and issues. The content of the course has been designed to address the social determinants of health and well being of minority women. The course contextually addresses minority women’s health in the United States while exploring the contribution of race, ethnicity, gender, and socioeconomic status to minority women’s health outcomes.

Adolescent Health Issues in the United States

This course provides an overview of adolescent health issues and trends. The course focuses on the major public health issues of adolescents in the United States and the programs and policies that improve the health and well being of this population. The course is designed to examine the prevalence and etiology of health and wellness indicators for youth. The course consists of readings, discussions, assignments and projects. The projects are meant to help students further develop existing skills to improve their work in multi-disciplinary teams focused on analyzing adolescent health concerns through conceptual frameworks and effective solutions.