Anthropology Launches New Public Health Minor

Question: Who fought, unsuccessfully, to make hand washing mandatory in hospitals? Answer: Ignaz Semmelweis (1818–65), who was known as the “father of infection control” for his work in a Vienna maternity ward in the 1840s. Unfortunately, his theory was dismissed and his advice mostly unheeded by the hospital staff. His appointment at the university eventually was discontinued, and he later died in a public insane asylum.

The new public health minor, which the Department of Anthropology administers, had an impressive first year, attracting 50 declared minors, 10 of whom graduated in May 2009. Under the leadership of Bradley Stoner, associate professor of anthropology, and Peter Benson, assistant professor of anthropology, this multidisciplinary minor meets a strong student demand for a comprehensive undergraduate public health curriculum. Students minoring in public health are required to take three core courses (9 credits) that provide essential training in fundamental aspects of public health history, theory, structure, and methods, as well as two electives (6 credits) that may be selected from a large and growing offering of courses in related disciplines.

A well-attended spring lecture series for students, faculty, and community members covered a diverse range of public health topics. A large number of students interested in incorporating public health into their future also attended a spring workshop on internships, careers, and graduate work in public health.

Enthusiasm for the new minor is strong, and it will be reinforced in the coming year by other public health initiatives on campus, including the new Master of Public Health being offered for the first time this fall by the George Warren Brown School of Social Work. Stay tuned for news on this growing initiative, and check the web for updates!