Global Diseases Requirements

Solutions to global diseases are almost always multidisciplinary in nature, as is the collection of courses within the Global Diseases minor. The requirements for the minor include three core courses (8 cr), three cognate courses (8-9 cr), an upper-level elective (3-4 cr), and a cultural experience (cr/no cr).

Overview of Requirements

Descriptions of Core Courses

HON/BIO 215 [LAC: GS]
Bioterrorism & Emerging Infectious Diseases - 3 credits

Ebola, anthrax, Lyme disease, SARS, polio, smallpox, the Plague, mad cow disease and West Nile virus continue to attract the attention of the human species. These are either emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) or the agents responsible for the diseases that plague our kind. In some cases, EIDs and bioterrorism go hand in hand. This course will cover the biological mechanisms of a diversity of diseases, the ecology of disease agents and vectors, the impact of globalization on the spread of EIDs, agencies (e.g., CDC) involved in fighting the spread of diseases, bioterrorism in the past, present and future, and the socioeconomic impact of EIDs and bioterrorism. Lectures, debates, book discussions, films, and projects will be integral parts of this course. Examinations are included to allow you to test your grasp of the subject matter.

Prerequisite: A genuine interest in learning more about emerging infectious diseases and bioterrorism; students from all disciplines are encouraged to participate in this course.  

Website: http://www2.cedarcrest.edu/academic/bio/hale/bioT_EID.htm

BIO 216 [LAC: NS]
Outbreak Investigations: Case Studies in Epidemiology - 3 credits

At times, human societies have difficulty separating fact from fallacy.  This is especially true during times of stress, such as when the Spanish flu swept the globe killing millions of people in 1918-1919. Uncertainties and false conclusions regarding the identity of the specific pathogen and the mode of transfer from one individual to another led to delayed or poor decisions that resulted in significantly more deaths. Health and human services were far exceeded and measures were taken that most would find unacceptable today. HIV/AIDS is another example of where the blend of fact and fallacy has led to the deaths of millions. Modern epidemiology has a set of approaches designed to help separate fact from fallacy and to help the human population effectively detect, identify, monitor, contain, prevent, and possibly eradicate a new or existing disease. In this course you will learn about these epidemiologic principles and concepts all within the context of case studies associated with outbreaks of toxic shock syndrome, Legionnaires' disease, measles, mumps, syphilis, yellow fever, Ebola hemorrhagic fever, and other diseases.

Prerequisite: None, other than a sincere interest in disease outbreak investigations. Students from all disciplines are welcome to participate in this multidisciplinary course.

Website: http://www2.cedarcrest.edu/academic/bio/hale/epi/index.html

BIO 311 [LAC: NS]
Multidisciplinary Solutions for Global Diseases - 2 credits (capstone course)
A child dies every 30 seconds from malaria. Dysentery, AIDS, influenza, cancer, tuberculosis, cholera, cardiovascular disease, and hepatitis also have a significant impact on the human population.  Minimizing the disease-related suffering and deaths around the world requires new ideas and effort. This capstone course provides an opportunity for students, through a formal presentation and written thesis, to propose their multidisciplinary solution for health-related problems within the region of their respective cultural experience. Critical-thinking and leadership skills are imperative.

Prerequisites: Cultural experience and all courses required for the minor except for one cognate course and the upper-level elective.

Website: http://www2.cedarcrest.edu/academic/bio/hale/capstone/index.html

Pool of Cognate Courses

Successful completion of three courses from three different disciplines (e.g., ANT, BUA, ECO) is a requirement of the minor. The three courses must be drawn from the pool of cognate courses below.

*Either LLC 200 or SOC 222, not both.

Upper-Level Elective

The upper-level elective for this minor is a student-selected course that matches the student's interest and preferred approach to dealing with global diseases. Although this course will typically fall within the discipline associated with her major, this is not essential. For example, if a student majoring in biology has a sincere interest in psychology and has taken the foundational courses in psychology, she may decide to take an advanced psychology course that in some way improves her ability to address issues associated with global diseases. It is the responsibility of the student to contact the director of the global diseases program to discuss her choice of an upper-level elective and to have it formally approved. There are many courses within a diversity of disciplines that would fulfill this requirement.

Cultural Experience

Becoming involved in the lives of people within another culture can be a life-changing experience. The Cultural Experience component of the Global Diseases minor is a student-chosen trip to a foreign country that is of particular interest to the student. Ultimately, she will likely return from this experience with a significant change in perspective, maturity, focus, compassion, patience, and purpose.  [More information.]