Professor: Milo Cummings
4 credits
New research and pop science are fascinated with how our gut microbiome influences our general health. But how much of our microbiomes are dictated by where we live and what resources we have access to? Who is included in (or excluded from) microbiome studies, and how does this affect our knowledge? This class aims to explore injustice, ethics, and equity within microbiome research and general human health. Specific topics include race, class, gender, (dis)ability, mental health, diet culture, and fatphobia.
Graduation Requirement: This class will fulfill a Natural Science Colloquium and the US: Difference, Inequality, Agency (US) cultural literacy requirement. If the student has already taken a Natural Science Colloquium, this class will fulfill both of the following requirements: an Elective Colloquium and the US: Difference, Inequality, Agency (US) cultural literacy requirement.