ANTH 216: Medicine, Culture, and Society (3 credits)
What do the concepts "health" and "disease" mean for different cultures, and how have social scientists and anthropologists in particular analyzed them? In this course, we will explore the multiple meanings of these terms and their analyses, across time and space. We will question how these meanings are socially constructed and consider the various theorizations addressing the complex relations between concepts of good and ill health, understandings of the body, and systems of healing in different parts of the world. This course will also examine the intersections of such knowledge about health and healing with different axes of identity and history, including race, ethnicity, class, colonialism, and globalization. The emphasis in this course is on providing students with the conceptual tools to approach research on issues relating to health and healing from an anthropological perspective. Prerequisite(s): Completion of the English Composition requirement; or consent of the instructor. Individual and Society course, and World Cultures course.
ANTH 217: Death and Dying Across Cultures (3 credits)
It is impossible to study human beings, their cultures and societies, without dealing with Death and dying. From the day we are born, we begin to die. The objective of this course is to explore, through a cross-cultural study of customs, rituals and traditions, the inevitable marriage of Life and Death and how this relationship is conceived, developed and organized by human communities in different regions of the planet. Traveling through space and time, we will observe how death – which in Western society often remains the ‘great enemy’ we cannot defeat – is otherwise considered in different contexts: from classical Greece to modern Japan and Mexico, from the Brazilian forests to the bustling cities of the contemporary U.S., we will uncover how different societies build specific relationships towards death, characterized by respect, dialogue, magic, religion and desire. Prerequisite(s): ANTH 101; or consent of the instructor: elmiche@uic.edu.
ANTH 238: Biology of Women (3 credits)
How long should women breastfeed? What is the difference between sex and gender? How do culture, environment, and individual circumstances influence women’s reproductive decisions?Do racial and other inequalities lead to different biological outcomes for women around the world? Are grandmothers important?
An evolutionary perspective on the biology of women from conception to menopause, in light of current research on genetics, hormones, and development. Topics include sexual differentiation, sex differences, and life history. Course Information: Same as GWS 238. Prerequisite(s): Grade of C or better in ANTH 105; or consent of the instructor: kstark20@uic.edu. Individual and Society course, and Natural World - No Lab course.
ANTH 239: Anthropological Perspectives on Oral Health (3 credits)
How does the health of our teeth and gums affect our overall health? How did people in the past care for their teeth? Did “cavemen” get cavities? Having healthy teeth and gums allows us to eat (without pain), talk clearly, and smile confidently. Yet unfortunately, oral health is often taken for granted or overshadowed relative to other aspects of health. This courses traces the history of teeth all the way back to ancient fish and the evolution of teeth from scales. We discover variation in tooth form in species past and present and what this tells us about ecological niche. We journey through time, learning about the (pre)history of oral disease and oral healthcare, the rise of modern dental medicine, and variation in cultural practices related to oral health and aesthetics. No pre-requisites, all majors welcome! Great class for pre-health students interested in learning together about an under-emphasized healthcare topic! Instructor: clnichol@uic.edu.
ANTH 239 Bioanthropology of Health (3 credits)
In this course, we will explore ways that biology and culture impact human health, across the life course and across cultures. We will learn about complex topics like race, sex, gender, and poverty and how they intersect to influence various aspects of health. Students will gain important background knowledge on diet and nutrition, growth, reproductive health, aging, and infectious disease from a global perspective. Students will walk away with an understanding of impactful social and environmental determinants of health disparities. Instructor: kstark20@uic.edu
LAS 120 Major Exploration and Career Readiness Course (1 credit)
This course is open to first-year, second semester, undeclared College of Liberal Arts and Sciences students.
This is an 8-week (1 credit) major exploration course tailored for liberal arts and sciences students to gain a deep understanding of how their values, skills, strengths, and motivations align with potential career paths and majors. Using a strengths-based approach, life design principles, and appreciative inquiry, students will engage in self-discovery and career exploration through tools such as "What Can I Do with My Major," Roadtrip Nation, TruMotivate, and ONET Online. Emphasizing the development of professional identity and self-awareness, the course will guide students through the four phases of appreciative inquiry—Discover, Dream, Design, and Destiny—to make informed decisions about their academic and career paths.
Questions about the course: Contact Liz Herrera, Director, LAS Career Development eherre3@uic.edu
OT 350 Introduction to Occupational Therapy: Occupation and Participation Across the Lifespan (3 credits) College of Applied Health Sciences
Occupational therapists (OTs) and occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) provide services in a variety of settings with individuals of all ages experiencing disability or health challenges. This 3- credit hour hybrid course is designed to provide students with a foundational understanding of the basic tenets of occupational therapy practice, including the relationship between occupation (i.e., meaningful activity) and health. Through a variety of reflective and experiential activities, students will gain an appreciation of the value of occupation in their own lives as well as the therapeutic value of occupation. A broad overview of theoretical models and practice trends will be presented. Students will have an opportunity to explore the diverse settings where OTs and OTAs practice such as schools, outpatient clinics, rehabilitation centers and hospitals through discussions with OT/OTA practitioners in the field. In addition, students will have interactive virtual labs to explore a selection of assessments and interventions that OTs and OTAs use to provide care to a variety of populations such as individuals living with mental illness, autism, and aging-related disabilities. Emerging and non-traditional practice areas, such as integration of OT in community mental health and homeless services, will be highlighted.
Sophomore standing and above is recommended but not required. There are no prerequisite requirements. The class will be located on West Campus, Room TBD. For questions about the course contact the course instructors: Dr. Toni Van Denend, OTD, OTR/L at tvande2@uic.edu or Dr. Kathy Preissner, EdD, OTR/L at kpreiss@uic.edu. For registration issues or to join the waiting list contact Maria Larson at mlarso1@uic.edu.
PT 496 Introduction to LGBTQ+ Health (2 credits)
Join us in an engaging course that explores the health and healthcare needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) individuals. Delve deeper than surface-level to uncover the nuances of implicit bias, health disparities, and current issues in healthcare delivery, including gender-affirming care and policies shaping LGBTQ+ health. Through enriching discussions, case studies, and an engaging community panel, you will harness practical knowledge to champion health equity for this often-overlooked community.
Who is this course for? Open to both undergraduate and graduate students, this course is perfect for aspiring health professionals, including PT, OT, nursing, medicine, and public health. Questions? Contact the instructors: Dr. Autumn Neuharth aneuha@uic.edu or Dr. Joel Lisen jlisen@uic.edu.
SOC 251 Sociology of Health and Medicine (3 credits)
This in-person course examines how sociologists study health and medicine. Major theoretical and empirical debates will be addressed in our examination of how health and medicine are socially constructed. Emphasis will be placed on historically marginalized groups in the U.S. in a consideration of how health is shaped by race/ethnicity, class, gender, sexuality, and environment. Questions we will consider include: Who gets sick and why? What kinds of illnesses do they get? Who gets treatment and what kind? What are the implications of health and health care inequalities for social justice? Individual and Society course, and US Society course. Instructor: crhansen@uic.edu.
SOC 455 Health Inequalities (3 credits)
This in-person course is an advanced seminar in medical sociology that examines contemporary theories and perspectives for studying health and health care inequalities, with particular attention to historically marginalized groups (e.g., racial/ethnic minorities, sexual and gender minorities, among others). Students will learn to identify, evaluate, and use different research methods in the sociological study of health and develop their own original research proposal on a topic of their choosing by the end of the semester. Contact Professor Hansen at crhansen@uic.edu for more information.
