Introduction to Social Medicine

4 units · Undergraduate upper division (100-199)

Seminar, four hours. Introduction to the interdisciplinary field of social medicine. Examination of how health and disease outcomes are shaped by social, political, and economic forces—including racism, colonialism, gender inequality, labor exploitation, and environmental injustice. These forces, including language, culture, housing, immigration status and income levels, are often referred as social determinants of health and provide crucial insights into a patient’s health needs. Reading of key texts in medical anthropology, social epidemiology, public health, and critical race theory to learn to analyze health not merely as biological but as deeply social. Key texts on theoretical frameworks are paired with contemporary ethnographic pieces that demonstrate the application of these theories to understand social and ecological health problems. Examination of the importance of intersectional research and community engagement in mitigating health harms and designing effective health interventions. Letter grading.