Week 1, Part 1 -
Virology
1.
Establish a
comprehensive understanding of COVID-19?molecular virology.During Week 1 of
this course, students will:
a.
Review the origins,
epidemiology, and pathobiology of SARs-CoV-2 in the context of
previous pandemics.
b.
Assess current therapeutic
landscape with regards to SARS-CoV-2 and develop familiarity with
a range of possible treatment options undergoing research.
c.
Appraise science
journalism related to reporting on coronavirus biology.
Week 1, Part 2 –
Sociomedical Implications
2.
Expanding upon basic
science review, students will survey the intersections
between virus transmission and vulnerable social
strata. Students will:
a.
Examine the impact of
COVID-19 on “high-risk” groups on existing health disparities
b.
Investigate the
biological and institutional (government, employers)underpinning on
the social determinants underlying known risk factors for COVID-19
morbidity & mortality with respect to vulnerable populations.
Examples of such populations include: elders,
refugees, communities of color, migrants, people experiencing
homelessness, and the incarcerated
c.
Formulate a sociomedical
framework for analyzing health inequities during the coronavirus crisis.
Week 2, Part 1 –
National & International Public Health Responses
3.
Examine
multiple states’ public health responses to the COVID-19 pandemic.
a.
Review various federal
government responses and contrast them with individual state public health
approaches.
b.
Differentiate
international public health responses ranging from nation-states in Africa,
Asia, The Americas, Europe, as well as efforts conducted by the World Health
Organization.
4.
Develop a comprehensive
understanding of medical supply chain economics.
a.
Learn from economists
and medical logisticians about relevant topics in sourcing medical
supplies, rationing and triage, supply chain vulnerabilities, and basic
pandemic economics.
Week 3, Part 1 –
Cultural & Ethical Implications of COVID-19
5.
Critically analyze the
cultural and ethical implications of the coronavirus crisis.
a.
Review fundamental
principles in medical ethics with special attention paid to COVID-19 real-world
applications.
b.
Strengthen sociomedical
analytical framework through an investigation
of social cohesion during a pandemic
c.
Recognize how cultural
traditions have transformed and adapted in light of COVID-19 as reported by
cultural media outlets. Investigate how mental health and personal safety
have been impacted by these drastic changes in cultural practices.
Week 3, Part 2 – Global
Geopolitics
6.
Broaden sociomedical
studies to include a basic understanding of pandemic-related geopolitical
consequences.
a.
Appraise expert
commentary on the state of contemporary global geopolitics, with specific
consideration paid towards pandemic-related political tensions.
b.
Determine coronavirus
crisis-related environmental repercussions with respect to climate change and
shifting policy agendas.
Week 4: Telehealth &
Final Assignments
7.
Given the massive change
in healthcare delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic, determine essential
elements of telemedicine practice.
a.
Recognize ethical issues
in the context of ongoing telehealth controversies.
b.
Differentiate various
logistical obstacles to delivery of virtual medical care.