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Dr. Katherine Lyon

What lessons can we learn from COVID-19? How was society organized leading up to the pandemic, and how could it be organized for the future? Regardless of your academic background, this curated series of expert lectures will help you explore health, climate change, and social justice in the COVID-19 era.

Learn with award-winning faculty members from the University of British Columbia. This course will bring a sociological lens to complex pandemic challenges, and aid in situating COVID-19 as a global issue that requires a collective, collaborative response.

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What lessons can we learn from COVID-19? How was society organized leading up to the pandemic, and how could it be organized for the future? Regardless of your academic background, this curated series of expert lectures will help you explore health, climate change, and social justice in the COVID-19 era.

Learn with award-winning faculty members from the University of British Columbia. This course will bring a sociological lens to complex pandemic challenges, and aid in situating COVID-19 as a global issue that requires a collective, collaborative response.

What you'll learn

This lecture series will challenge you to:

  • Connect your local COVID-19 experiences to global trends
  • Consider how ageism and racism are exacerbating the coronavirus
  • Assess COVID-19 impacts on existing health inequalities
  • Identify links between COVID-19 and climate change

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Connect your local covid-19 experiences to global trends
  • Consider how ageism and racism are exacerbating the coronavirus
  • Assess covid-19 impacts on existing health inequalities
  • Identify links between covid-19 and climate change

Syllabus

The COVID-19 lecture series is curated by Dr. Katherine Lyon, who offers a brief introduction to each topic and suggested literature for further reading. Lectures are pre-recorded so you can watch at your own pace.
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Lecture 1: COVID-19, Health (In)Equity, and the Opioid Crisis with Dr. Lindsey Richardson
Lecture 2: Aging, Aged, Ageism under COVID-19 with Dr. Anne Martin-Matthews
Lecture 3: Racism Under the Pandemic with Dr. Amanda Cheong
Lecture 4: Climate Change & COVID-19 with Dr. Santa Ono
Lecture 5: Frontline Workers & Pandemic Policies with Dr. Becki Ross

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Strengthens an existing foundation for intermediate learners
Develops professional skills in health, climate change, and social justice
Introduces concepts in sociology
Addresses complex pandemic challenges using a sociological lens
Teaches learners about COVID-19 and health inequity
Examines health issues that are relevant to the COVID-19 pandemic

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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 COVID-19 & Society: Inequality in Global Pandemics with these activities:
Review “Social Justice: An Introduction”
Highlight key concepts of social justice, setting the stage for understanding how these concepts relate to health, climate change, and COVID-19.
Show steps
  • Read the introduction and Chapter 1 of “Social Justice: An Introduction”
  • Identify and define key concepts of social justice, such as distributive justice, recognition, and participation
  • Consider how these concepts are relevant to your understanding of COVID-19 and its impact on society
Volunteer with local organizations providing support and services related to COVID-19
Gain practical experience by assisting with COVID-19 response efforts, deepening understanding of the pandemic's impact on communities.
Browse courses on Community Engagement
Show steps
  • Research local organizations providing COVID-19 support and services
  • Contact the organizations to inquire about volunteer opportunities
  • Attend volunteer training and orientation sessions
Explore online resources on the intersection of climate change and pandemics
Deepen your understanding of the links between climate change and pandemics, providing context for discussions in the course.
Browse courses on Climate
Show steps
  • Search for reputable sources on the relationship between climate change and pandemics
  • Watch videos or documentaries on the topic
  • Read articles and scientific reports on the subject
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Join a study group to discuss the ethical challenges of healthcare during a pandemic
Foster deeper engagement with the ethical aspects of the course by collaborating with peers to explore different perspectives and strengthen understanding.
Browse courses on Healthcare Ethics
Show steps
  • Form or join a study group with other students taking the course
  • Choose a topic related to the ethical challenges of healthcare during a pandemic
  • Research and discuss different ethical perspectives and cases
Apply concepts of ageism and racism to current events related to COVID-19
Enhance critical thinking by analyzing real-world examples and applying course concepts to identify and address issues of ageism and racism in the context of COVID-19.
Show steps
  • Select relevant news articles or reports that highlight instances of ageism or racism related to COVID-19
  • Analyze the examples using concepts learned in the course
  • Identify potential solutions or interventions to address the identified issues
Contribute to open-source COVID-19 data visualization projects
Enhance data analysis and visualization skills, while contributing to the collective understanding of COVID-19 impacts by working on open-source projects.
Browse courses on Data Visualization
Show steps
  • Identify open-source COVID-19 data visualization projects
  • Review their code and documentation
  • Make contributions to improve data visualization or analysis
Develop a proposal for a community-based initiative to address health inequities exacerbated by COVID-19
Apply knowledge gained in the course to propose practical solutions, enhancing understanding of the impact of COVID-19 on health equity and empowering students to contribute to positive change.
Show steps
  • Research and identify specific health inequities exacerbated by COVID-19 in your community
  • Develop a plan for a community-based initiative to address these inequities
  • Describe the goals, activities, and expected outcomes of the initiative

Career center

Learners who complete COVID-19 & Society: Inequality in Global Pandemics will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Health Policy Analyst
Understanding how factors like ageism and racism affect COVID-19's impact on health outcomes is crucial to a Health Policy Analyst's role. This course will delve into these topics, enabling you to develop policies that address these disparities and enhance healthcare equity during pandemics.
Social Justice Advocate
A Social Justice Advocate works to promote equity and challenge systemic injustices. This course on COVID-19 and inequality will provide valuable insights into the intersectionality of health, social justice, and the impact of pandemics on marginalized communities.
Epidemiologist
Informing policies and interventions aimed at preventing and controlling the spread of infectious diseases is a key responsibility of an Epidemiologist. This course on COVID-19 and inequality will provide a solid foundation for comprehending the social determinants of health and their relevance to pandemic preparedness.
Public Health Nurse
Public Health Nurses play a crucial role in promoting health and preventing illness within communities. This course on COVID-19 and inequality will equip you with valuable knowledge on the social factors that influence health outcomes and guide your practice in addressing health disparities during pandemics.
Social Worker
As a Social Worker, understanding the impact of societal factors on health and well-being is essential. This course on COVID-19 and inequality will provide you with a deeper understanding of the social determinants of health and how they shape individuals' and communities' experiences during pandemics.
Climate Change Specialist
Climate Change Specialists develop and implement strategies to mitigate the effects of climate change. This course on COVID-19 and inequality will provide you with insights into the interconnections between climate change and health, enabling you to integrate these considerations into your work.
Health Equity Researcher
Health Equity Researchers investigate the social, economic, and environmental factors that contribute to health disparities. This course on COVID-19 and inequality will provide you with a foundation in the theories and methods used in health equity research, equipping you to conduct rigorous studies in this area.
Public Health Physician
Public Health Physicians work to improve the health of populations through preventive measures and policies. This course on COVID-19 and inequality will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the social and environmental factors that influence health outcomes, enabling you to develop effective interventions to address health disparities.
Community Development Specialist
Community Development Specialists work to improve the living conditions and well-being of communities. This course on COVID-19 and inequality will provide you with insights into the social and economic factors that contribute to health disparities and equip you with strategies to promote health equity in community development initiatives.
Health Communications Specialist
Health Communications Specialists develop and disseminate health information to the public. This course on COVID-19 and inequality will provide you with valuable knowledge on the social and cultural factors that influence health behavior and equip you to communicate effectively with diverse audiences about pandemic preparedness and health equity.
Policy Analyst
Policy Analysts research, analyze, and make recommendations on public policies. This course on COVID-19 and inequality will provide you with a solid foundation in the principles of policy analysis and equip you to assess and develop policies that address health disparities and promote health equity.
Healthcare Administrator
Healthcare Administrators oversee the operations and management of healthcare organizations. This course on COVID-19 and inequality will provide you with insights into the challenges and opportunities in addressing health disparities within healthcare systems and equip you to implement strategies to improve health equity.
Environmental Health Scientist
Environmental Health Scientists assess and mitigate the effects of environmental factors on human health. This course on COVID-19 and inequality will provide you with a deeper understanding of the connections between environmental health and social justice issues, enabling you to develop interventions that address both environmental and health disparities.
Urban Planner
Urban Planners design and manage the development of communities. This course on COVID-19 and inequality will provide you with insights into the social and environmental factors that shape urban health and equip you to create healthier and more equitable communities through urban planning strategies.
Sustainability Consultant
Sustainability Consultants advise organizations on how to reduce their environmental impact and improve their social responsibility. This course on COVID-19 and inequality will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the interconnections between environmental sustainability and social justice, enabling you to develop and implement effective sustainability strategies.

Reading list

We've selected ten books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in COVID-19 & Society: Inequality in Global Pandemics.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the social determinants of health, and how they contribute to health inequalities. It useful reference for understanding the root causes of health disparities.
Powerful and moving account of the challenges faced by a Hmong family when their child is diagnosed with a rare form of epilepsy. It provides a valuable perspective on the importance of cultural sensitivity in healthcare.
Argues that the mass incarceration of African Americans new form of Jim Crow. It provides a powerful analysis of the systemic racism that continues to plague American society.
Groundbreaking work that explores the environmental racism that affects people of color. It provides a comprehensive analysis of the causes and consequences of environmental inequality.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the sixth mass extinction, which is currently underway. It powerful and moving account of the human impact on the planet.
Provides a concise overview of pandemics, including their history, causes, and consequences. It useful reference for understanding the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the health impacts of climate change. It useful reference for understanding the challenges of adapting to climate change.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the social science of climate change. It useful reference for understanding the challenges of governing climate change.

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