Graduate seminar in African American Studies. Topic for Spring 2025: This course explores the role of race in public health through a lens of anti-Black racism, highlighting how systemic discrimination and disinvestment shape health disparities for Black Americans in particular. Students will examine four core areas: historical context, focusing on the legacy of racial violence in the development of medical and public health knowledge, as well as its impacts on health and well-being; social determinants of health, investigating how racism shapes factors such as housing and income in ways that disproportionately affect the health outcomes of different racial groups, with an emphasis on Black Americans; institutional racism in healthcare, analyzing bias, mistrust, and unequal access to quality care within healthcare systems; and structural solutions and freedom dreaming, evaluating and conceptualizing programs, policies, and interventions designed to address racial health disparities through an abolitionist perspective. In semesters where it can be paired with a MetroBridge or other community partnership, students will get an opportunity work collaboratively on a PH advocacy project.

Note that this information may change at any time. Please visit the MyBU Student Portal for the most up-to-date course information.