Field Studies in Public Health: CFS 392-0: Chicago Field Studies

Field Studies in Public Health: CFS 392-0

"...The CFS Public health class has allowed me to ruminate on the implications of public health through a social, political, and economic perspective. We have had lively debates regarding the ethics of mandating vaccinations and have explored the evolution of public health careers in the 20th century. This course has made me understand that public health careers are multidimensional, and allowed me to contemplate the possibility of working in this sector in the future." -Lisa Chen, FSPH Fall 2016 intern at Cures Within Reach

Credits available: 1-4 credits during Fall, Winter, Spring, or Summer.

Credits toward degree: CFS credits typically count towards general elective credits.

For Weinberg students who started at Northwestern before Summer 2023, this course will count one credit toward Weinberg Distribution Requirement for Area III: Social and Behavioral Sciences.

For Weinberg students who started at Northwestern in or after Summer 2023 (including transfer students), this course will count one credit toward the Weinberg Foundation Discipline in Social and Behavioral Sciences. Additionally, it will count one credit toward the Perspectives 1: U.S. Perspectives on Power, Justice, and Equity overlay.

For students in other NU schools, please talk with your academic advisor to see if this or other CFS classes count towards any requirements for you.

Course Description

What does history tell us about public health, and how can we predict the future based on where we have been? This course will provide a look into the diverse field of Public Health and focus on promoting health equity. Students will explore global and local Public Health and its intersection with race and racism, poverty, violence, and other social aspects of the human experience. Using theory alongside the practical experience of their internships, they will unpack the complexities of the social and structural determinants of health and gain an understanding of the potential roles they can play within the field. This class aims to motivate students to think critically about Public Health in their immediate communities, prepare students to identify gaps in care and advocate for change, and encourage students to appreciate disease prevention and health promotion.

Possible Instructor: Jessica Puri

Types of Internships that relate to the Field Studies in Public Health course:

Health & Medicine