School of Graduate Studies Fall Term 2020 Electives

SGS Fall 2020 Elective Courses

Classes are open to all NUNM graduate/doctoral students who meet course prerequisites. Elective credit for ND students is available as listed. First priority for nutrition electives will be given to students enrolled in the MScN program.

Ayurveda

GSA 541E Tridosha (2 credits)

RAJURKAR | ONLINE: Tridosha is the important concept of Ayurvedic philosophy. The course provides an overview of the role of each of the Tridosha in the context of health and management of health and the role of dosha with the formation, progression and treatment of disease in the selected context. The relationship of Tridosha with food, digestion, formation of body type will be covered. Information on Ayurvedic scholarship listed below. 

Ayurvedic Scholarship available for the Tridosha course – visit-nunm.edu for Vijaya & Arvind Gajare Ayurvedic Scholarship, $1,000 (five available)

GSA 622E Ayurvedic Dietetics Practicum (.5 credits)

RAJURKAR | LIVE ONLINE | SATURDAYS | OCT 10 & 24 | 1 PM – 4:30 PM: This course is a hands-on experience with selected Ayurvedic techniques of cooking for therapeutic diets, and cooking according to body type and season to evaluate the effect of food on the mind, body and spirit. Students will practice Ayurvedic regimen, mantras and rituals related to the consumption of food, along with mindful eating.

Master of Science in Nutrition

GSN 564E Nutritional Genetics (2 credits)

TIBBITTS | ONLINE: Have you ever wondered if your diet affects your genes? Or whether your genes affect what you can eat? Students in this course examine the relationship between genetics, metabolism and diet. Topics include how diet can affect epigenetic patterns and gene expression, how our metabolic response to food has been shaped by genetic variation, and how our health is impacted by the interplay of genetics and diet. Students will also consider the utility of using genetic information to make dietary choices.

GSN 572E Indian Cooking (2 credits)

RAJURKAR | ONLINE: Traditional Indian cooking is based on the foundations of Indian philosophy. This course explores the concepts of Indian cooking, the properties of food, and the seasonal selection of dishes to achieve optimum health for body, mind and spirit. This course covers classic and regional dishes, including vegetarian, non-vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, low-calorie, low sodium and Ayurvedic dishes. The Indian concepts of Tridosha (Vata, Pitta, Kapha), individual dietary requirements, and disease-specific diets are also covered.

GSN 579E Preparation for Clinic Nutrition Rotation (2 credits)

ERLANDSEN | ONLINE: This course will provide students with the policies and procedures for practicing at the NUNM clinic(s).  Students will be oriented to the NUNM clinic and complete trainings in OHSA, HIPAA, and first aid and CPR, EPIC.  Additional topics include clinic guidelines, safety and emergency medical procedures, and professionalism.  This is a pre-requisite course for GSN582E Clinical Nutrition Rotation

GSN 580E Nutrition Clinical Rotation (2 credits)

CHILDS | ONLINE: In this clinical immersion experience, students will work with patients both individually, and in a group setting, to address nutrition-related concerns.  Specific skills students will utilize include nutrition counseling, nutrition assessment, dietary and menu planning, and case evaluation.  Students will need to successfully complete the Preparation for Nutrition Clinical Shift prior to enrolling in this course.  Prerequisite:  GSN579E

Master of Science in Integrative Medicine Research

RES 806E Essentials of Integrative Oncology (2 credits)

ALLDERDICE | ONLINE: Cancer patients who pursue integrative care often receive conventional chemotherapy and radiation with natural medicine modalities. This evidence-based course familiarizes students with the basics of cancer diagnosis, an overview of conventional therapies, and evidence that supports natural therapies for cancer. Students read landmark studies and cutting-edge oncology research. Students discuss scientific validity, clinical benefits, toxicities, and limitations of state-of-the-art integrative therapies when applied to oncology patients.

Master of Science in Global Health

GSGH 706E Conferences in Global Health (2 credits)

ZWICKEY | ONLINE: To obtain credit for this course, students must attend an academic or professional conference or three local presentations/workshops that focus on global health issues. Several assignments relating to conference or local presentation/workshop content and networking opportunities are required. This course may be repeated once.

GSGH 832E Global Health Experience – Thailand (4 credits)

SCHER | ONLY OFFERED IF TRAVEL PERMITTED IN DECEMBER: This course is a 10-day experience trip in Northern Thailand with coursework focusing on Thai-vedic medicine (traditional Thai medicine), including Thai cooking, herbal medicine, Thai massage and self-care.  There are options to receive certification in Thai massage and for additional study in Thai-vedic medicine, yoga, meditation and movement classes.  Students also participate in activities such as visits to organic farms, hot springs, conservation camps, and other cultural and historic sites.  Itinerary-specific trip fee applies.

GSGH 832E Global Health Experience – Ghana (4 credits)

TUSON-TURNER | ONLY OFFERED IF TRAVEL PERMITTED IN DECEMBER: This course is an experience trip in Ghana, West Africa. The coursework covers topics in globalization, natural childbirth, maternal and child health, cultural humility, West African herbalism, clinical services in an international setting, and working with local NGSs to empower and educate rural Ghanaian women. For students in clinical programs (ND, MSOM, DSOM), clinical shadowing hours may be applied toward preceptor hours or community education with prior approval. Trip length and course credits vary by season.  Itinerary-specific trip fee applies.

GSGH 837E Collaborative Global Health Experience (3-6 credits)

ZWICKEY | ONLY OFFERED IF TRAVEL PERMITTED IN DECEMBER : This course allows students to substitute an experiential learning course or trip offered by or through a non-NUNM organization, such as Child Family Health International (CFHI), for the required NUNM Global Health Experience course. Students select an opportunity that will provide insight into diverse public health and/or healthcare systems; assist with health-related program development, implementation or evaluation; engage in health-related research or surveillance activities; or participate in other health-related activities. Students work with the global health program chair or their mentor to select an appropriate, structured global health opportunity that will consist of 36 hours per credit (108 hours for three credits) of work or programming and study to satisfy this academic requirement.

IPSL COURSES AVAILABLE FOR ELECTIVE CREDITS

GUA 501E Guatemala One Health: Ecology, Culture, Justice (4.5 credits)

MORGAN | ONLINE: This is an IPSL Institute for Global Learning course offered in Guatemala through a collaboration with Origins of Food®. This class is delivered in a condensed, modular format. As such, this course requires complete participation and engagement on-the-ground for a successful experience. Class content consists of expert lectures, visits to community-based organizations, seminars, guided reflections, and written coursework. The IPSL and Origins of Food course captures in-situ the interconnectedness of people, the environment and animals that we use for food. This topic is examined through a One Health lens, which will be expanded and explored through site visits and hands-on service projects with local Guatemalan farms, cooperatives, and community-based agricultural initiatives. Prerequisite: Instructor Approval

SAF 500E Community Organizing and Social Activism (COSA) in South Africa (4.5 credits)

MORGAN | ONLINE: This course unpacks apartheid’s intricacies and impact. It explores apartheid’s footprint on South Africa’s socioeconomic platform and how the country is grappling with much-needed transformation. The course will identify and relate the injustices of apartheid to past and current world injustices and will unpack how the human condition needs to change in order to eradicate all injustices. Coursework is complemented by volunteering in a community project and engagement with diverse cultures and viewpoints. Students reflect on national and international practices using the curriculum framework and drawing on literature and discussions with South Africans. The focus of this course is to explore community organizing and social activism in South Africa with the goal of learning how to effectively translate these ideas and techniques into a concrete knowledge of social activism (including a practical tool set and the development of a personal ethic of advocacy) that can be applied across cultures, countries, and efforts. The course starts with an overview of social change institutions, explores the history and ethics of international service and moves to the examination of past and current political and social movements and advocacy efforts in South Africa. Students will learn the theories and practical realities of intercultural service-learning in an African context. This course complements IPSL community service placements and helps students make sense of their international experience in order to develop their intercultural competence. Topics are examined through the prism of hands-on community service in African NGOs and other non-profits and include intercultural communication, the mechanics of African non-profits/NGOs, citizenship in Africa, local civic engagement/advocacy efforts and the exploration of civil society. Prerequisite: Instructor Approval

Standard NUNM registration deadlines and processes apply for all courses except trips. Individual trips may have earlier application deadlines. For trip-specific information and deadlines visit: nunm.edu/global-health-trips.