*​This​ ​course​ ​is​ ​adapted​ ​from​ ​the​ ​medical​ ​anthropology​ ​department​ ​of​ ​Harvard​ ​Medical​ ​School.

The course will explore how social and psychological influences create health disparities, while gaining knowledge of key concepts in social medicine. After creating a platform based on the fundamental ideas of social medicine, we will direct our attention to a social complication called “chronic emergencies.” Through case studies, we will examine and dissect the mechanisms in which a society isolates and outcasts individuals from access to proper healthcare. Our examples will be drawn from across the globe. Lectures and course material will delve into many aspects of social medicine, such as psychological stigmas of HIV/AIDS, and health care policies. We will focus on how to identify, analyze, and potentially ameliorate global healthcare problems.

There will be weekly readings followed by short reflections. Attendance will be taken every class. One unexcused absence is allowed (Absences​ ​for​ ​midterms​ ​with​ ​prior​ ​notice​ ​or​ ​emergencies​ ​are​ ​acceptable). At the end of the course, there will be a group final presentation.

Note:​ ​For​ ​pre-medical​ ​students,​ ​this​ ​course​ ​will​ ​review​ ​concepts​ ​found​ ​on​ ​the​ ​Psychological,​ ​Social,​ ​and​ ​Biological Foundations​ ​of​ ​Behavior​ ​section​ ​of​ ​the​ ​MCAT,​ ​including​ ​how​ ​sociocultural​ ​factors​ ​and​ ​access​ ​to​ ​resources​ ​impact healthcare.