HPE 375 - Health and Social Justice, 3 credit hours

Prerequisite(s): HPE 170, HPE 173, HPE 175, HPE 270, HPE 274, HPE 275, HPE 370, MTH 138 or permission of instructor
Health is an asset and a resource critical to human development that benefits society as a whole. But realizing health for all members of society is a matter of social justice, which depends on reducing social and economic inequality and increasing democracy. This course will allow the student to explore many aspects of health inequalities including how health inequalities are rooted in injustices associated with racism, social class, and sex discrimination. It will provide an analysis of the politics of health inequities and show how market values often dominate over collective needs for well being. Students will examine the politics of methodology and the implications for research and public policy, and critique the ideological implications of contemporary health promotion as a model for public health. Additionally, the course will review approaches that influence the social determinants of health and develop encourage students to develop principles for action and research. An analysis of the role of the mass media in influencing the conceptualization of public health issues will be included.