Health, Society, and Wellness in COVID-19 Times from Coursera

You may be encountering a world unlike any other generation. The public health crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic has created a context of pervasive uncertainty, heightened anxiety, and social isolation that overlaps with a critical time of your own learning and development. The COVID-19 pandemic also has exacerbated long-standing inequalities and disparities, and recent events in the United States have laid bare historical and current realities of racism and systemic oppression. These challenges make starting college complicated in unprecedented ways, compounded by the fact that our university settings are themselves complex and rapidly changing. These challenges also present unique opportunities for interdisciplinary and practical learning.

This course aims to help you navigate this world and the new conditions for learning with knowledge and skill. We designed the course with participatory methods, which means that we asked students to take a key role as partners with faculty in designing the course content, structure, and learning experiences. Together, we sought to integrate faculty expertise with the perspectives and experiences of students to make the course material relevant to your life.

In this class, we will explore perspectives on disease and society and on systemic racism and inequality with scholars in the natural sciences, social sciences, arts and humanities, education, communications and media, and engineering. Engaging these disciplines to examine the complex problems of the global pandemic and systemic racism will help you build conceptual and practical skills that you will use throughout college and beyond.

In conjunction with investigating health and social crises, new and ongoing, we also will explore the science and practice of individual and community wellness. You will learn skills relevant to emotions, relationships, common mental health concerns, and learning in the age of Zoom and remote classes. You will learn practices of cooperation, compassion, and anti-racism for community wellness.

Welcome to Health, Society, and Wellness in COVID-19 Times!

What's inside

Syllabus

An Orientation to Health, Society, and Wellness in COVID-19 Times

This course was originally designed with undergraduates who are just beginning college in mind. They are unique in starting college during the COVID-19 pandemic and are encountering a world unlike any other generation. These challenges make starting college complicated in unprecedented ways, and this course was designed to help them navigate this world and these new conditions for learning with knowledge and skill.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Develops mental health and wellness practices for learning in a virtual environment

Examines mental health concerns that are common in college students

Taught by expert scholars in natural, social, and health sciences

Explores the development of skills and practices for individual and community well-being

Introduces learners to perspectives on health and social inequities in the context of a global pandemic

Students come into this course with little experience with the topic

Reviews summary

Navigating pandemic challenges with wellness and equity

According to its comprehensive design, learners say this course offers a timely and interdisciplinary exploration of public health and societal challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. It aims to equip them with conceptual and practical skills to navigate a world of uncertainty, especially relevant for those starting college. The curriculum is expected to cover mental health and well-being, the public health response, and critical insights into social inequities and systemic racism. Developed using participatory methods with student input, it strives to ensure material is highly relevant to learners' lives, fostering practices of cooperation, compassion, and anti-racism for community wellness.

Specifically designed for students beginning college.

"This course felt particularly suited for someone like me, just starting college during these unique and challenging times."

"It's clear the course was created with the specific challenges of new undergraduates in mind, providing relevant guidance."

"The focus on navigating a new learning environment in an uncertain world was very specific and helpful for my experience."

Course content shaped by student feedback and perspectives.

"The participatory methods made the course feel genuinely tailored to student needs and experiences."

"It's great that faculty partnered with students to design the course content and learning experiences, making it relevant."

"Knowing students had a role in designing the course made the material feel more applicable and meaningful to my life."

Integrates insights from diverse academic fields.

"The course's interdisciplinary approach really helped me see the pandemic from many angles, beyond just science."

"It's great to learn about public health, society, and wellness from natural sciences, humanities, and more, offering a holistic view."

"I appreciated how different disciplines contributed to a comprehensive understanding of complex problems like the pandemic."

Thoughtfully examines racism and social disparities.

"The discussions on systemic racism and inequality provided crucial context for understanding the pandemic's broader impact."

"I appreciated the course's commitment to exploring social justice issues related to health and public crises."

"Understanding how COVID-19 exacerbated long-standing inequalities was very insightful and broadened my perspective significantly."

Provides valuable skills for mental and emotional well-being.

"The focus on mental health and connecting with others, especially in remote settings, is truly needed right now."

"I gained practical skills for managing emotions and relationships during these challenging and uncertain times."

"Learning about individual and community wellness felt very supportive and provided actionable practices."

Addresses critical, current global challenges directly.

"This course directly addresses the unprecedented challenges of COVID-19 and its pervasive impact."

"I found the focus on navigating uncertainty and social isolation highly applicable to my current life."

"The topics felt incredibly timely and crucial for understanding the world right now, making the learning very impactful."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Health, Society, and Wellness in COVID-19 Times with these activities:

Read "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks"

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Gain insights into the ethical and social implications of medical research and health disparities by reading this highly acclaimed book.

View The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks on Amazon

Show steps

Obtain a copy of the book.
Read the book thoroughly, taking notes on key themes and concepts.

Show all one activities

Career center

Learners who complete Health, Society, and Wellness in COVID-19 Times will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Social Worker

Social Workers provide counseling, support, and resources to individuals and families facing various challenges. This course may be useful for this career field as it provides an understanding of various mental health and well-being issues, as well as skills relevant to emotions, relationships, and common mental health concerns.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Worker

Health Information Manager

The Health Information Manager is responsible for the management of health information and records. This course may be useful for this career field as it can help build a foundation in public health, the spread of disease, and data management.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Information Manager

Health Communications Specialist

The Health Communications Specialist develops and implements communication strategies to promote health and prevent disease. This course may be useful for this career field as it can help build a foundation in public health, the spread of disease, and communications.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Communications Specialist

Epidemiologist

The Epidemiologist investigates the causes and patterns of disease and injury in order to prevent and control health problems. This course may be useful for this career field as it can help build a foundation in public health, the spread of disease, and social medicine.

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Public Health Nurse

The Public Health Nurse works to promote and protect the health of a community by providing education, resources, and support. This course may be useful for this career field as it can help build a foundation in public health, the spread of disease, and community outreach.

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Health Educator

The Health Educator develops, implements, and evaluates health education programs that aim to improve the health of a community. This course may be useful for this career field as it can help build a foundation in public health, the spread of disease, and community outreach.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Educator

Community Health Worker

The Community Health Worker provides health education, support, and resources to individuals and families in a community setting. This course may be useful for this career field as it can help build a foundation in public health, the spread of disease, and community outreach.

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Environmental Health Scientist

The Environmental Health Scientist investigates the relationship between environmental factors and human health. This course may be useful for this career field as it can help build a foundation in public health, the spread of disease, and environmental health.

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Health Education Specialist

The Health Education Specialist creates and delivers health education programs that may involve physical education, nutrition, and general wellness. This course may be useful for this career field as it can help build a foundation in public health, the spread of disease, nutrition, and other factors that contribute to one's health.

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Physician Assistant

The Physician Assistant practices medicine under the supervision of a licensed physician for the purpose of improving the health of patients. This course may be useful for this career field as it can help build a foundation in public health, the spread of disease, and social medicine.

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Registered Nurse

The Registered Nurse provides and coordinates patient care, educates patients and the public about various health conditions, and provides support to the healthcare team. This course may be useful for this career field as it can help build a foundation in public health, the spread of disease, and patient care.

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Medical Social Worker

The Medical Social Worker works in a healthcare setting to provide counseling, support, and resources to patients and their families. This course may be useful for this career field as it can help build a foundation in public health, the spread of disease, and social medicine.

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Health Policy Analyst

The Health Policy Analyst researches and analyzes health policy issues in order to inform decision-making. This course may be useful for this career field as it can help build a foundation in public health, social medicine, and the spread of disease.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Policy Analyst