Academic Catalog

2025-2026

Global Health (GH)

GH 050 - Experiential Learning (0 Credit Hours)

This 0-credit Experiential Learning component of the Global Health major involves student engagement in a volunteer position, internship, job, research position, or off-campus study experience connected to the field of Global Health. Students work with the Director of Global Health to determine the suitability of a particular experience and to receive approval for this requirement.

GH 100 - Introduction to Global Health (4 Credit Hours)

The course will provide an overview of health from a global perspective with a societal and anthropological focus. The purpose of the course is to evaluate the patterns and societal issues associated with understanding and responses to diseases. Furthermore, students will have an opportunity to analyze quantitative and qualitative data in order to address policy and programmatic change. Central to the course is a critical examination of health disparities, the interaction between health and the environment, and the burden of disease and mortality. Upon completion of the course, students will be competent in addressing global health issues with a critical lens and from a culturally relevant perspective.

GH 199 - Introductory Topics in Global Health (1-4 Credit Hours)

A general category used only in the evaluation of transfer credit.

GH 202 - Epidemiology (4 Credit Hours)

Epidemiology is the science that studies the distribution and determinants of health events, including various diseases and is built upon the premise that poor health outcomes are not randomly distributed in a population. This course provides an epidemiologic approach to the study of incidence, prevalence, and patterns of health outcomes in populations and the application of this study to the control of global and public health threats. With a lab opportunity, students will learn about study designs used in epidemiology, calculate basic epidemiologic measures, identify threats to study validity, debate population health surveillance and screening programs, and learn to draw appropriate inferences from epidemiologic data and reports. Although Epidemiology makes use of a lab period, it is designated as a non-lab science course (Y non-lab) in Denison's General Education curriculum. Offered 3 of every 4 semesters, contact the Global Health Program for the schedule.

Prerequisite(s): GH 100.

GH 210 - Global Health Research Methods (4 Credit Hours)

This course provides an introduction to the fundamentals of research study design and methods and data collection in the discipline of Global Health. It serves as an introduction to quantitative, qualitative, mixed methods and participatory approaches to research, as well as ethical issues in conducting research. Through different types of texts and articles from global health literature and course work, students will build skills for conducting research and evaluation. Offered 3 of every 4 semesters, contact the Global Health Program for the schedule.

Prerequisite(s): GH 100 and GH 202.

GH 299 - Intermediate courses in Global Health (1-4 Credit Hours)

A general category used only in the evaluation of transfer credits.

GH 352 - Planetary Health (4 Credit Hours)

Human health is intimately linked to the natural systems on which it depends. With advances in technology, agriculture, and health knowledge, humans are living longer than ever. However, those same technologies have pushed planetary systems to a breaking point. This class seeks to elaborate a path forward that recognizes the profound impact human ‘progress’ has on our planet and the reciprocal impact changes in natural systems will have on the future of human health.

Prerequisite(s): GH 100.

Crosslisting: SES 352.

GH 361 - Directed Study (1-4 Credit Hours)

A student in good standing may work intensively in areas of special interest under the Directed Study plan. A Directed Study is appropriate when, under the guidance of a faculty member, a student wants to explore a subject more fully than is possible in a regular course or to study a subject not covered in the regular curriculum. A Directed Study should not normally duplicate a course that is regularly offered. Directed Studies are normally taken for 3 or 4 credits. A one-semester Directed Study is limited to a maximum of 4 credit hours. Note: Directed Studies may not be used to fulfill General Education requirements.

GH 362 - Directed Study (1-4 Credit Hours)

A student in good standing may work intensively in areas of special interest under the Directed Study plan. A Directed Study is appropriate when, under the guidance of a faculty member, a student wants to explore a subject more fully than is possible in a regular course or to study a subject not covered in the regular curriculum. A Directed Study should not normally duplicate a course that is regularly offered. Directed Studies are normally taken for 3 or 4 credits. A one-semester Directed Study is limited to a maximum of 4 credit hours. Note: Directed Studies may not be used to fulfill General Education requirements.

GH 363 - Independent Study (1-4 Credit Hours)

Independent Study engages a student in the pursuit of clearly defined goals. In this effort, a student may employ skills and information developed in previous course experiences or may develop some mastery of new knowledge or skills. A proposal for an Independent Study project must be approved in advance by the faculty member who agrees to serve as the project advisor. Note: Independent Studies may not be used to fulfill General Education requirements.

GH 364 - Independent Study (1-4 Credit Hours)

Independent Study engages a student in the pursuit of clearly defined goals. In this effort, a student may employ skills and information developed in previous course experiences or may develop some mastery of new knowledge or skills. A proposal for an Independent Study project must be approved in advance by the faculty member who agrees to serve as the project advisor. Note: Independent Studies may not be used to fulfill General Education requirements.

GH 399 - Advanced topics in Global Health (1-4 Credit Hours)

A general category used only in the evaluation of transfer credit.

GH 400 - Global Health Capstone (4 Credit Hours)

The main purpose of this course is to provide the culminating, integrative curricular experience during the last year of the major. As such, the course draws on students’ prior training in the three other core courses and their experiential learning experience gained in the field prior to their graduation. More than just providing a review of the GH curriculum, however, the Capstone is designed to challenge students to reflect and integrate their experiential learning with the goal of developing their own individual point of view regarding the role of global health in contributing to the improvement of the health and well-being of populations across the globe. Offered each Spring semester.

Prerequisite(s): GH 202 or GH 210.

GH 451 - Senior Research (4 Credit Hours)

Students may enroll in Senior Research in their final year at Denison. Normally, Senior Research requires a major thesis, report, or project in the student's field of concentration and carries eight semester-hours of credit for the year. Typically, a final grade for a year-long Senior Research will not be assigned until the completion of the year-long Senior Research at the end of the second semester. Each semester of Senior Research is limited to a maximum of 4 credit hours. Note: Senior Research may not be used to fulfill General Education requirements.

GH 452 - Advanced Senior Research (4 Credit Hours)

Students may enroll in Senior Research in their final year at Denison. Normally, Senior Research requires a major thesis, report, or project in the student's field of concentration and carries eight semester-hours of credit for the year. Typically, a final grade for a year-long Senior Research will not be assigned until the completion of the year-long Senior Research at the end of the second semester. Each semester of Senior Research is limited to a maximum of 4 credit hours. Note: Senior Research may not be used to fulfill General Education requirements.

Prerequisite(s): GH 451.