Health and Society Major • Registrar • Beloit College

Two units from the following physical and natural sciences courses, chosen to provide prerequisites for additional coursework below: Chemistry 117, 150, and at most 1 of Anthropology 120 or any 100-level biology or Biology 208.
Two units from the following courses: Anthropology 100, Critical Identity Studies 101, Economics 199, Political Science 110, 160, Psychology 100, Sociology 100, chosen to provide prerequisites for additional coursework below.
Completion of one unit of Health and Society 140.
Three units chosen from the core health and society courses: Anthropology 262, Anthropology/Health and Society 323, Biology 215, Critical Identity Studies 236/Health and Society 235, Critical Identity Studies/Health and Society 252, Economics 271 (if topic is health economics), Philosophy 221, Physical Education, Recreation, and Athletics 308, Political Science/Health and Society 212 or 230, Psychology 210 or 252, Sociology 275, Spanish/Health and Society 218, Chinese 115, French 210, Japanese 115, Spanish 210. At least 2 of the core courses must be completed before the senior year. Other relevant course offerings with significant health content may be substituted with approval of the chair.
One unit of statistics or research methods chosen from: Anthropology 240, Biology 247, Economics 251, Health and Society/Political Science 201, Sociology 205 or 211.
Choose one unit from each theme. Other relevant course offerings with significant health content may be substituted with approval of the chair.
- Health and Well-Being: Anthropology/Health and Society 330, Greek, Latin, and Ancient Mediterranean Studies/Health and Society 215, 301, Interdisciplinary Studies 318, Psychology 210, 215, 250, 252, 305, 375, Psychology/Critical Identity Studies 225 (may not be counted for the major in conjunction with Critical Identity Studies/Health and Society 252), Physical Education, Recreation and Athletics 308.
- Biological Systems and Health: Anthropology 230, Biology 237, 256, 257, 289, 340, Biology/Chemistry 260, 360, Chemistry 220, 230, Psychology 230.
- Social Determinants of Health: Anthropology/Critical Identity Studies 305 or 306, Critical Identity Studies/Sociology 221, Critical Identity Studies 226/Sociology 225, Critical Identity Studies/Sociology 245, Critical Identity Studies 250/Sociology 251, Economics 204, 271 (if topic is gender economics), Political Science/Health and Society 212 or 230, Political Science/Critical Identity Studies 214, Political Science 255/Environmental Studies 256, Political Science 262, Critical Identity Studies 260, 265, 360 (if topic is medicine).
Completion of 1 unit of Health and Society 340.
Students interested in health and society are encouraged to fulfill their Experience requirement by engaging to improve the health of our neighborhoods, country, and/or world. This may occur during a Duffy Partnership, a research or field internship, an E-designated course, or an approved study abroad experience with pre-approval. Students majoring in health and society may fulfill major requirements while studying abroad. Consult with your major advisor when preparing for studying abroad.
Students interested in health and society are strongly encouraged to develop fluency in a second language. Spanish fluency is valuable to students who will be health care practitioners in the United States.
Writing/communication requirement: Writing in health and society incorporates the multiple traditions that inform the study of public health. Students will be exposed to a variety of writing styles in the natural science, social science, humanities, and interdisciplinary courses required for the major. The capstone course, Health and Society 340, will provide opportunities for students to explore writing and speaking in ways that communicate to diverse audiences about health issues. Students will also write a reflective essay at the end of the major. Students are encouraged to present their experiences from study away or research at Beloit College student symposia.
Honors in health and society: Students with a 3.6 GPA or above in courses in the major may apply junior year for honors and develop a self-designed honors project.
Students majoring in health and society may choose to receive the Bachelor of Science degree rather than the Bachelor of Arts degree by completing a minimum of 8 units in biology, chemistry, computer science, geology, mathematics, and/or physics.

Requirement Type

Major

Units Needed to Achieve

Primary Section

4807

Additional Section A

7354