Global Studies Coursework

I have chosen these particular courses because I wanted to gain a comprehensive understanding of the topics in my global health concentration. Together these courses highlighted the issues in global health, explicated the factors or determinants for these issues, provided the methodology used to compute the data for these issues, and impartially presented the current interventions underway to combat them. I think that the broad scope of information detailed in these courses has afforded me with a well-rounded knowledge of the worldwide issues in global health.

In addition, these courses all shared a common theme of how to construct an effective health intervention that is intended for a targeted population. As a result, I believe that this collection of courses makes me a good resource to talk to about the translation of health information and the establishment of medical advancements in Sub-Saharan Africa to combat communicable diseases.

Coursework Descriptions

Department of Public Health 1001: Introduction to Global Health

I was previously unaware of many of the findings and data that I learned during this course like the relationship between health status and education of mother, income level, work status, and, perhaps most importantly, the country of birth and country of residence. A large amount of this course was spent analyzing the reasons and causes for the significant difference in health status and type of diseases in Sub-Saharan Africa.

When I finally did travel to Tanzania, I already had a firm knowledge of the diseases and health trends in the country. Because of this Global Health Course, I was able to utilize the disheartening statistics as a road map for where to intervene and create a more efficient health initiative to combat diseases.

Department of Anthropology 1725 : Social Health Issues in East Africa

This health course provided me with the fieldwork and academics needed to create an effective targeted health intervention. I had previously learned some of the information and statistics presented in this course during my Introduction to Global Health course. However, this course inevitably stood out from the other courses because it was conducted in East Africa.

This course was a pinnacle moment in my life because it confirmed my career aspirations. I want to be a medical doctor that disseminates medical knowledge to people of all regions. The health message and health intervention that I created through this course are included in my papers, presentation, and publications page. Take a look!

Department of Africana Studies 1083: Special Topics in East Africa

Through this course, I gained valuable insight into the cultural and societal norms in Tanzania, East Africa. While studying this course in Tanzania, I traveled to urban areas and also remote rural villages. Therefore, I was able to comprehensively observe societal differences and health disparities across the country as well. For example, I learned who retrieves the water, who spends the most time inside of the house, the reasoning for certain food choices, and more. Because of this class, I am more aware that cultural context and traditional customs must be taken in to account when formulating an intervention for a targeted disease, health issue, or behavior.

During this class, I completed a thorough research project where I analyzed the relationship between culture and health. I visited local schools and orphanages where I listened to the people and learned about how they perceive health and illness.

I have uploaded a copy of this capstone paper on the presentation, and publications page. Take a look!

Department of Africana Studies 1710: African American Health Issues

This course exposed me to the health disparities between races, ethnicities, social groups, and locations within the United States. This course was crucial for my global health concentration because it showed me that health inequity and healthcare inequity truly are worldwide issues that must be contended with interdisciplinary cooperation.

For the final course project, I was able to work with a group to study the disproportionate racial achievement gap in Pittsburgh Public Schools, and together we formulated a personalized intervention to help combat the systemic injustices through mentorship. If anything, this course motivated me to stay active and involved in health efforts, debates, and conversations pertaining to the spread of education and medical advancements to all groups of people.

Because of this course, I went on to join a local mentorship program in the Pittsburgh area so that I could further aid fellow minorities in the education system.  Take a look at my Community Engagement page to learn more!

Department of Statistics 0200: Basic Applied Statistics

This course provided me with the skill-set to conduct statistical analysis and synthesize number sets to formulate a conclusion about the data. I previously underestimated the necessity for this skill, so I am grateful for this course. The ability to perform statistical analysis allows me to remain objective when I receive new information, and it forces me to not accept all things as true. In the Global Health concentration, the generation of trend reports per country and statistical analysis between countries are vital sources for the allocation of resources. Therefore, this course gave me insight into the methodology behind the reports that are so often cited in my other courses for global studies.

Department of Political Science 0550: Introduction to Global Studies

This course allowed me to objectively compare and contrast controversial politics and issues between countries. This is a valuable tool to have because global health often compares the health statuses of countries at a whole, so the ability to argue for and against a particular health intervention in one country instead of another is imperative for improving global health.

Other Relevant Courses

Introduction to Cultural Anthropology

This Cultural Anthropology course taught me about the importance of taking a cultural relativistic approach when appreciating other cultures. Only when you listen to people are you able to gain an understanding and the ability to relate their cultural views to your own. Because of this course, I always strive for an emic perspective when I interact with people in other language communities because I truly want to understand their thoughts and experiences.