THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE WOMB: EPIGENETICS AND PARENT/CHILD HEALTH

PSYCH 603

Explore nature versus nurture by understanding gene by environmental interactions. Study how the environment and our behavior can modify our genome (epigenetics). Focus on how our behavior and overall health can be shaped by markings on our DNA, and how these markings may be passed onto future generations.

MEDSC-M 773

Focuses on molecular, genetic, embryologic, hormonal, anatomical and physiological factors that govern fertility, cell growth, fetal development, and pregnancy as well as the congenital anomalies that can occur when those processes are aberrant. Encompasses the full life-cycle spectrum including childhood growth and development, young adulthood/puberty, issues affecting adolescents and young adults, genetic basis of human disease, reproductive health, menopause, aging, unregulated cell growth (cancer) and end of life issues. Significant content from other competency domains, or "longitudinal threads", such as public health, advocacy, ethics, patient care/communication and clinical skills.

GEN&WS 529

Explores the contemporary science and politics of reproductive health in North America. Taught from a reproductive justice (RJ) perspective, a framework for analysis and action developed by Black women health organizers and scholars. Examines several aspects and applications of the reproductive justice framework itself; RJ approaches to pregnancy and birth; RJ as a diagnosis and refusal of eugenics; and RJ and abortion. Engages with case studies, scholarship, and theory from a variety of literatures relevant to public health: epidemiology, feminist and queer theory, critical race studies, gender/sexuality studies, activist and policy analyses, and historical and contemporary primary sources. Explores a variety of experiences and meanings of reproductive health and illness, as well as the relationships between health/disease and racism, poverty, sexism, hetero- and cis- normativity, colonization, incarceration, and environmental degradation.

GEN&WS 103

Examines both physiological and social processes relating to gender and health across the lifespan among cisgender, transgender, and non-binary individuals. Examples of topics include hormonal processes, reproductive anatomy physiology, sexuality, sexual pleasure, chronic illness, depression, and sexual violence. A primary course objective is for students to connect information about their bodies and personal health to larger social and political contexts. In particular, considers how health and health disparities are shaped by multiple kind of social inequalities, particularly inequalities based on gender.

HDFS 345

The physical and mental health and well-being of infants and children are strongly influenced by child- and family-facing service professionals from across a variety of professions. Through a socioecological and multidisciplinary lens, examines both conceptual models and real-world applications ranging along a continuum from individual-level clinical interventions to systems-level public health approaches of influencing infant and child physical and mental health and well-being.