Posts

Farewell For Now

Image
Dear HEA 447 Student, You have endured 17 weeks of classes. You paid thousands of dollars for this class. You spent time away from your family and friends- and what matters most to you. You struggled and triumphed. You learned and discussed. You experienced and mapped. You managed group work and practiced patience with Professor AK's delays and technology snafus. You might not have agreed with the grades you earned. Remember, grades are just numeric values and do not diminish you as a brilliant and creative human. You did it. I am proud of you—each of you. When we started this journey in August 2024, I did not know how it would end. I had fears that I would not have enough time to give you what you needed—to learn and grow in this class. This is just the beginning of being a good relative and being human. Someone told me the purpose of life is to grow and give. Both take a certain kind of person—a spirit and heart that unites everyone and leaves no one behind. The journey as good r...
1 comment
Read more

Top 5 Social Expereinces

Image
  HEA 447 Social Experiences Top 5 November 2024 #1 Michael Briggs Volunteers and Lives Life Full Circle Here is more on Blogger Holly Springs Food Bank Volunteering Michael volunteered three times at the foodbank; he writes about a time in his life when he was the recipient of when he was poor and then working at one. His ideas, feelings, perspectives, and what it means to help people in need. This took planning, intention, bravery, and goodness. I’m remiss to admit this, but I was honestly behind on this project for a while. I signed up to volunteer at my local food shelter some time ago, after this project had all but slipped my mind, but it seems things have aligned. There was a point in my life, some years ago, when I myself was in need of assistance. Living paycheck to paycheck is no way to live, and I found myself applying for SNAP, or food stamps, as most people know them. While it helped, I made just enough that it netted me the smallest amount of aid, and so I fou...
1 comment
Read more

Social Experiences

Image
 During this class, students will engage in social experiences (some call these experiments), but we are not doing research, and this does not require IRB approval. Students will co-design social experiences as 20% of their grade. Students will design experiences during the first month of class. Examples might include volunteering at a local soup kitchen, working in a shelter, observing people and families who are struggling with health, income, and social status, and thinking about solutions. Other ideas could include creating a budget and living according to it based on the federal poverty level/guidelines and journaling about it later. Reviewing local policies and identifying gaps in current local policies, presenting recommendations to local leaders or policymakers. Post your reflections and ideas about this assignment here as a blog. This can happen before you begin the experience, during, or after.   Use the Blog and Canvas to post your social experience ref...
98 comments
Read more

Radical Ideas

Image
Students may use this blog section to post radical ideas about addressing health inequities while elevating social justice. This blog is for any radical idea that might be too radical for the world- but is needed. Blogs are anonymous to the world- so be brave and post what you feel and know is needed.
48 comments
Read more

CURE Research

Image
Students will blog about the CURE research project. Consider writing about the process of doing this research in a team.  What do students need to know about doing undergraduate research in online classes?  What did you learn through this process?  What needs to happen next? How did this experience change what you thought you knew about research, living, and people? 
38 comments
Read more

Backward Mapping

Image
Students will blog about their backward mapping experience.  Reflect on the essential questions:  1) What are the structural and systemic influences affecting life and health circumstances? and 2) What are interventions that would be equity solutions?  Post your backward map. Share your ideas and expertise with the world.
4 comments
Read more