Course Spotlight: AAS 448/EPID 666
At the University of Michigan, a unique graduate Epidemiology course with an international focus is breaking the traditional boundaries of public health education. Pioneered by the late Robin Barlow, former U-M professor of economics and emeritus professor of epidemiology, and re-envisioned by Dr. Howard Stein, this course is setting a new standard for interdisciplinary study, reflecting the increasingly interconnected world of global health equity.
The Evolution of an Interdisciplinary Curriculum
A visionary in his time, Robin Barlow’s research integrated the fields of economics and public health, an interdisciplinary approach which greatly informed his approach to education. As a professor at the University of Michigan, he applied this interdisciplinary perspective to the courses he designed, notably at the School of Public Health (SPH). Initially, this course was narrowly focused on epidemiology. However, Dr. Barlow's diverse research interests allowed him to present varied viewpoints, using his experiences and case studies to foster discussions about the complex realities of global health interventions. A significant shift in the course's direction occurred in 2003, aligning with Dr. Stein's arrival and Dr. Barlow's retirement. This period marked a critical juncture, as the two professors convened to overhaul the course, ensuring it mirrored the changing landscape of global health and aligned with the university's emphasis on globalization and health. Dr. Stein, who continues to teach the course today, highlighted the importance of rethinking traditional academic boundaries, advocating for addressing the deep-rooted factors that contribute to ongoing global health disparities. His guiding principle was clear: "We must challenge the confinements of our traditional disciplines and confront the entrenched interests that sustain the conditions leading to the severe global health disparities we still observe."
Dr. Stein’s extensive body of research includes a focus on the political economy of African development and health and the course has now evolved into a cross-listed offering between SPH and the Department of Afroamerican and African Studies, departments in which he holds joint faculty appointments. The course, once focused narrowly on traditional epidemiology, has since become a living document updated annually with new global challenges like climate-induced health issues and pandemic responses in Africa and beyond
Why This Course is a Must for Aspiring Public Health Professionals
This course is a unique opportunity for students interested in global health equity. Here, the traditional inward-looking approach of public health education is turned outward, embracing the complexities of global health work. This course equips students with the necessary breadth of knowledge to understand health crises in their full socio-economic and environmental contexts, leveraging the knowledge of other fields of expertise for increased understanding.
Dr. Stein, with his extensive background in development economics, has fostered a classroom environment where diverse academic voices merge to create a dynamic learning experience. Additionally, students from various disciplines bring a wealth of theoretical and empirical knowledge, allowing for an unparalleled interdisciplinary dialogue that enriches their understanding of public health.
The Imperative of Multi-Sectoral Collaboration
Through Dr. Stein's experience in the field, students learn firsthand about the power and necessity of interdisciplinary partnerships. The course serves as a microcosm of the global effort required to address health disparities, with Dr. Stein emphasizing the need to question and move beyond the confines of established disciplines.
Dr. Stein's course is a testament to his commitment to drawing on a wide array of scholarly resources, which imbue students with a nuanced comprehension of the interplay between health and development. The inclusion of disciplines such as Medical Anthropology and Political Ecology ensures that students appreciate the complexity of work in the global health sector.
The forward-thinking curriculum prepares students to confront and solve the complex health issues they will inevitably encounter in their professional lives. By fostering interdisciplinary thinking, Dr. Stein is not just teaching a course; he is helping to sculpt the future of public health leadership. “Students will face challenges over the course of their careers which are sometimes not readily understood by the specialized discipline in which they were trained,” said Dr. Stein. Hopefully, they will have learned about other tools and constructs they can use as a result of the exposure to other disciplines in the course.”
This course, championed by Dr. Howard Stein is shaping the next generation of public health professionals. Equipped with an expansive outlook on global health, these students are poised to confront global health challenges with a holistic and collaborative approach.