Connecting Science & Society RAP - Fall 2013

This RAP is ideal for first-year students who are interested in investigating the relationship between science and society from a variety of perspectives.

This RAP is available in three locations - each with a specific Gen Ed class that will influence the topic focus in the RAP seminar (details below).

When you join this RAP, you will: 

  • Share your living and learning experience with a community of peers dedicated to expanding their knowledge in a variety of topics related to the health, natural, and social sciences.
  • Focus on issues that address personal and academic interests.
  • Explore a variety of topics through current events, short readings, guest speakers, and field trips.
  • Investigate various services that you may utilize and learn about opportunities for connections to future internships or employment. 

Depending on Gen Ed class/RAP location and student interest, you will explore different topics. 

Students in "Nutrition, Weight & Fitness" class/Dwight Hall location, will have a seminar in which they explore these questions:

  • Is it possible to promote healthy behaviors without limiting natural rights?
  • What types of health disparities are related to nutrition and what in our system is contributing to them?
  • What types of "wellness reimbursements" and incentives are present in our current healthcare system? Do they work?

**********

Students who choose the section in Kennedy will enroll in "Health Care for All". The core of the class will explore the origins of mental and physical illness (clinical perspective), and how such illness is treated in the context of the US health care delivery system (i.e. insurance, systems, settings, and staffing - health policy/management perspective).  Students will be able to analyze the health care system using a social work, economic, and political framework. 

*Check out more of the details about the course and instructor for the Section with "Health Care for All" in Kennedy.

**********

Students in "Medical Ethics"/Emerson location will have a seminar in which they explore these questions:

  • Is there a "right" to healthcare?
  • Does the current structure of the FDA meet the health, nutritional and medical needs of society?

    •  

    Be sure to visit the How to Join page on this website to learn about the process and important timelines you must follow to become a member of this fantastic program! 



    Classes and Location

    Fall 2013

    ALL students will enroll in the following classes taught in the residential area:

    "RAP Seminar"- UNIV 190R, 1 credit

    AND

    Gen Ed class - different for each location.

    Southwest Area:

    Kennedy Hall
    "Health Care For All" - PubHlth 129 (Gen Ed SB U), 4 credits

    Emerson Hall
    "Medical Ethics"    - Philosophy 164 (Gen Ed AT), 4 credits  

    Northeast Area:

    Dwight Hall
    "Nutrition, Weight & Fitness"    - Nutrition 140 (Gen Ed BS), 4 credits  

    "College Writing" - English Writing 112 (Gen Ed CW), 3 credits will be offered in the residential area both fall and spring semesters.

    Pamela R. Marsh-Williams, Ph.D.
    Assistant Provost & Dean

    This website is part of Undergraduate Advising & Learning Communities. We provide undergraduate students a variety of opportunities and services designed to facilitate the best academic experience possible. 609 Goodell Building, UMass Amherst.

    UA&LC Units: Undergraduate Advising, Residential Academic Programs, Domestic Exchange Programs, Five College Interchange