Major Proposal: Infectious Diseases in Developing Countries

Abstract: The objective of this interdisciplinary major is to look at infectious diseases from a microscopic to macroscopic scale in developing countries. In order to attain this goal, one must initially become familiar with the diseases, which are currently prevalent in the world. These diseases and infections should be well researched and understood before further work can be done. Not only is it important for one to learn the details and manifestations of these diseases, but one must also keep in mind the preventative measures or the potential preventative measures for these conditions. Macroscopically, it would be fascinating to study the spread of disease in various populations through behavioral and/or cultural signals. It is also important to consider cultural and behavioral conditioning within a society that is affected. Finally, one must also keep in mind the global health care system when dealing with infectious diseases. These global concerns range from ethical issues to political ones, as a nation’s political state can often times be a deciding factor for the amount of allocations and resources which are available for a particular health care problem.

Proposal

In analyzing any health concern one must consider all aspects of the problems at hand. This includes a series of logistics, policy, as well as the society that is in question. In order to assess the context of which the problem lies, one must have a thorough knowledge of the problem and the steps that one should take in order to eradicate this problem. The potential courses for this interdisciplinary major provide a strong foundation by which an individual is able to take courses in politics, ethics, biology and philosophy. These courses compiled together from a diverse array of disciplines provide a backbone for a future that holds the promise of much involvement in the current global health care system. This major also exposes an individual to a series of disciplines which are very much intertwined, yet no other present major offers these array of courses in this particular fashion. The importance of this major’s creation lies in the fact that infectious diseases are becoming a growing problem in the global health care arena. However, individuals who wish to be part of the aid for this problem, must not only have the proper scientific knowledge about the conditions involved, but they must also be capable of considering other issues of societal constraints, politics, and resources which are available.

The fusion of a liberal arts education with a science-based education provides a comfortable balance that is ideal for any individual planning to have a career in the professional world. The science courses the individual will be taking through this major will allow him or her to learn of the various diseases affecting the developing nations along with preventative measures, which can be taken. The information provided from this part of the curriculum will provide a vast background by which one is able to make judgments and take actions pertaining to the current problem in question. The politics courses allow one to understand the political climate of these third world nations and the environment and societies, which are effected by a particular disease. Having a political backdrop will definitely enrich an individual’s education, as it will provide a certain context in which one is able to consider other factors, which also play a part when attempting to aid a health care crisis. Courses from the discipline of religion and philosophy have been chosen as they both serve to provide further knowledge of the cultural influences, which may play a factor in a particular society as well. The ethics courses chosen serve as a link between the different disciplines as it deals directly with the diseases involved yet at a level that is more concerned about the society’s welfare.

Because this interdisciplinary major is composed of a diverse array of courses, one must not look upon this diversity as a loss of purpose or pathway. This major actually serves to provide adequate background knowledge and education for an individual who plans to pursue a more specific endeavor in the future. For example, an individual planning to pursue this major would have the ultimate goal of focusing on a particular disease which effects a specific society in its own unique cultural context. Furthermore, this individual having taken the array of courses will be able to focus on a particular disease and evaluate the impacts of this disease both from a scientific as well as anthropological perspective. Although an observer may still perceive this major as broad or general, one must comprehend that this type of background is essential for any individual considering a profession in the global health care system.