Description: The primary objective of this course is for students to gain a more in-depth analysis of current and emerging topics in Environmental Health Sciences from a practitioner’s lens. This is a practice-oriented course where students will gain an appreciation of the history of these issues, the current state of the science, and how current science informs policy, and community-level action.
Learning Objectives: 1. Critically review and evaluate scientific literature in specific “hot topics (emerging and future topics)” in Environmental Health Sciences
2. Evaluate tools and strategies for addressing current and future environmental health issues at a community level
3. Explore the practice of environmental health sciences
4. Explain, and illustrate through case example(s), how factors, such as community perceptions, public health law, traditions, socioeconomic conditions, politics, and interpersonal communications may influence the practice of environmental health
5. Analyze at least one environmental health topic for its impact on health and propose solutions based on what is known about the challenges/barriers.
Description: How do we decide what form of intervention might best address a given public health issue? How do we develop a plan to advocate for a public health intervention? In this course, you will build on your investigation of your team's public health issue during the fall semester to consider how to develop a culturally-sensitive and effective solution to their team's problem, whether it be a behavioral, environmental, or policy-based intervention to promote health equity. You will additionally conduct formative research on the need for the intervention, consult key stakeholders and interprofessional experts, and create a plan to evaluate and advocate for their proposed intervention using theories and evidence-based strategies. Your learning will be supported by a series of formative assessments, including quizzes, reflections, case studies, and response papers. The semester's work will culminate in each team completing a program plan, an authentic summative assessment that showcases student's learning over the course of the semester.
