Healing Justice: Social Determinants and World Health Systems

In this course, we will study the social determinants of health to better understand the ways in which systemic factors, related to inequality and access to resources, impact people’s well-being. How are the health of people and the environment interrelated? How do social systems (especially ones pertaining to race, class, and gender inequality) shape health and well-being? How do empire and capitalism impact our contemporary health system? How did our current health system come to be? What are alternative healthcare modalities? We will uncover histories of mainstream and alternative health care modalities in the U.S. and globally. This course will also introduce students to complementary and alternative health care modalities with a focus on Indigenous healing practices and Ayurveda. Throughout the program, we will recognize the ways in which individual empowerment and collective action can help us create both personal health and build a movement for healing justice. This course will integrate academic studies with somatic, or embodied, practices like yoga, meditation, and mindfulness activities. Assignments will consist of two synthesizing discussion board posts and bi-weekly somatic journaling.