340.705.01
Advanced Seminar in Social Epidemiology

Prerequisite:

2 graduate level courses in Epidemiology and in Biostatistics (prefer 140.622 and 340.752) and one graduate level course in social or behavioral sciences

Description:

Offers doctoral students an opportunity to synthesize theories and methodologies from the social and behavioral sciences and epidemiology. Highlights current controversies and practices in the evolving field of social epidemiology. Topics include: (a) the role of theory in epidemiology, (b) fundamental causes and the problem of “distality”, (c) how social factors affect the body, (d) modeling of social factors and health, and (e) area-based influences on health. Course is oriented toward research rather than practice.

Learning Objectives:

Upon successfully completing this course, students will be able to:

1. Define and describe the origins, history, and major approaches to the study of social conditions as determinants of health at the population level
2. Identify and describe seven distinct core areas of research within the field
3. Distinguish between and apply leading theories that have guided the field of social epidemiology
4. Apply concepts, theories and methods from the field of social epidemiology to a research problem of interest to the student
5. Construct theoretical arguments and select appropriate methods for analyzing the influence of upstream social processes on population health
6. Operate within a seminar course format

Methods of Assessment:

This course is evaluated as follows:

• 50% Participation
• 50% Discussion

Enrollment Restriction:

per instructor

Instructor Consent:

Consent required for some students

Consent Note:

Consent of instructor is required for special students only.

For consent, contact:

ldean9@jhu.edu

Special Comments:

140.658 Statistics for psychosocial research strongly recommended.