RACE IN AMERICAN OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY
Survey the history of race in American obstetrics and gynecology. Gain understanding of how race and theories of racial difference informed the development of the field and justified the treatment of Black, indigenous and immigrant patients. Understand the vital contributions of Black enslaved women, other women of color, and Irish immigrants to obstetrics and gynecology. Make connections between racialized historical practices and contemporary norms in reproductive healthcare.
Prerequisites & course information
Requisites: MED SC-M 810 , 811 , 812 , and 813 Course Designation: Grad 50% - Counts toward 50% graduate coursework requirement Repeatable for Credit: No Last Taught: Fall 2026 Learning Outcomes: 1. Demonstrate understanding of how race informed the evolution of obstetrics and gynecology as a discipline Audience: Graduate 2. Describe the symbiotic relationship between slavery and obstetrics and gynecology and the contributions of enslaved women to key advances in the discipline Audience: Graduate 3. Discuss the contradictions between physicians’ beliefs in racial inferiority of Black and Irish women and the use of their bodies as medical exemplars Audience: Graduate 4. Describe how structural racism impacted disparities in reproductive health during the antebellum area and late 19th century Audience: Graduate 5. Demonstrate understanding of how historical stereotyping and treatment of Black women has led to institutionalized stereotyping in present-day obstetrics and gynecology Audience: Graduate 6. Describe the progression of racial/ethnic disparities in reproductive health from the antebellum era to the present day Audience: Graduate Learning Outcomes: 1. Demonstrate understanding of how race informed the evolution of obstetrics and gynecology as a discipline Audience: Graduate 2. Describe the symbiotic relationship between slavery and obstetrics and gynecology and the contributions of enslaved women to key advances in the discipline Audience: Graduate 3. Discuss the contradictions between physicians’ beliefs in racial inferiority of Black and Irish women and the use of their bodies as medical exemplars Audience: Graduate 4. Describe how structural racism impacted disparities in reproductive health during the antebellum area and late 19th century Audience: Graduate 5. Demonstrate understanding of how historical stereotyping and treatment of Black women has led to institutionalized stereotyping in present-day obstetrics and gynecology Audience: Graduate 6. Describe the progression of racial/ethnic disparities in reproductive health from the antebellum era to the present day Audience: Graduate
Sources
- Course catalogue ↗2026-2027