Public Health and Infectious Disease in Southern Africa

MEDS 4050 | 1 credit hour | BoK: Diversity & Culture (DC), Social & Ethical Issues (SE)

Jason Blackard, PhD | jason.blackard@uc.edu | 513-558-4389

This course will provide students with hands-on, real world exposure to public health and infectious disease research in South Africa. The focus will be on HIV/AIDS.

Students will be encouraged to think globally during in-class discussions focusing on the themes of HIV prevention/education, diagnosis, treatment, and social/ethical issues. The primary example for these discussions will utilize South Africa, thus emphasizing the global public health impact of HIV/AIDS. Additional out-of-class trips may also be incorporated, possibly including visits to the UC Infectious Diseases Clinic, the County Tuberculosis Control Clinic, and an area NGO working on HIV prevention/education.

Immediately following fall semester, the class will engage in a required study tour to South Africa. The group will depart during finals week.