*Economics 980q. Economics Design Lab

This class offers a chance for students to see how social science insights (economics, finance and psychology) can be used to design policies and products that solve important problems. Presents examples of innovative designs. Applications are in areas such as maternal mortality, development of drugs for diseases faced mainly by the poor, financing small firms, unemployment insurance, prescription drug insurance to the elderly and fighting corruption in important social programs.

Studies the relationship between economic growth, poverty, and income distribution. Discusses how globalization affects poverty and inequality. Studies the main theories of economic growth and the main potential sources of economic development, from physical capital accumulation, to education, to technology, to the role of government. Discusses various global issues such as public global health (e.g., the impact of malaria and AIDS on Africa), corruption and institutions, natural resources, the environment, international donor institutions, and population growth.

Global consequences of increasing human population and our consumption of natural resources include extensive changes in many natural ecosystems and in the composition of Earth's atmosphere. In the last decade, geographic ranges of certain well known infectious diseases have expanded and new diseases have become threats to human health. This seminar explores hypothesized linkages between changes in ecosystems, climate, and the epidemiology of certain infectious diseases.

Offers information and experiences regarding most important issues and challenges in health care quality. Overview of the dimensions of quality of care, including outcomes, overuse, underuse, variation in practice patterns, errors and threats to patient safety, service flaws, and forms of waste. Each session focuses on one specific issue, exploring patterns of performance, data sources, costs, causes, and remedies. Explores desirable properties of health care systems that perform at high levels in many dimensions of quality.

Mankind's journey- farming, urbanization, exploration, trade, globalization -has been marked by devastating encounters with infectious diseases. Infections have affected wars, political dynasties, global balance of power, social structure, public health policy, economics, and the arts. This course explores these themes by studying infections such as plague, syphilis, smallpox, malaria, sleeping sickness, tuberculosis, cholera, yellow fever, polio, and influenza. It investigates how the epidemiology of these diseases, and society's response, inform contemporary policy and future threats.

HIV/AIDS has infected or killed more than sixty million people, and no vaccine is expected within five to ten years. About two-thirds of current infections are in ten percent of the world's population in sub-Saharan Africa, where few patients receive life-saving treatment. Explores dimensions of AIDS in Africa including the evolution and epidemiology of HIV, the pathobiology of AIDS, prevention of infection, and treatment of disease. Encourages multidisciplinary approaches, using country-specific illustrations of successful interventions.

Explores the moral, political, and scientific implications of new developments in biotechnology. Does science give us the power to alter human nature? If so, how should we exercise this power? The course examines the science and ethics of stem cell research, human cloning, sex selection, genetic engineering, eugenics, genetic discrimination, and human-animal hybrids.

Comparative analysis of political economy of development drawing on case studies from Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America.

The basic social science literature on Africa's development. Particular emphasis on political economy.

Examines the history of disease and health in sub-Saharan Africa from the 19th century to recent times, exploring African and western concepts of health, disease and healing. Illustration through discussion of case studies of individual diseases, including malaria/sickle cell trait, trypanosomiasis, tuberculosis, sexually transmitted diseases, alcoholism, AIDS, and onchocerciasis, and the public health policies affecting them.

A consideration of changing conceptions of disease during the past two centuries. We will discuss general intellectual trends as well as relevant cultural and institutional variables by focusing in good measure on case studies of particular ills, ranging from cholera to sickle cell anemia to anorexia and alcoholism.

The evolution of the modern pharmaceutical industry over the long twentieth century--from its early intersection with the image and later the structure of scientific research, to its dramatic post-WWII expansion and late-century saturation of medical and marketing media--is tightly intertwined with broader social, cultural, economic, and political developments. This conference course engages primary and secondary works in the history and anthropology of pharmaceuticals to situation the prescription drug as cultural artifact.

A survey of the relationships between the practice of science and the world of commerce in the United States since the beginning of the 20th century. Topics covered include the conduct and image of science in academia and industry, ideas about the connections between science and technology, and the development and understanding of entrepreneurial science.

In such fields as health, the environment, and law, we rely on scientific expertise to help us distinguish truth from lie, to measure risk, to treat our ills. In this context, it is crucial to know how such knowledge is produced, disseminated, and arbitrated. This course focuses on areas of controversy such as genetically modified foods, intellectual property, global warming, and new reproductive technologies in order to understand the complex relationship between science and society.

We examine different forms of credit for scientific and technological innovation, comparing publication credit in science and use of patents to protect technoscientific work. Readings range from history of technoscience to legal and literary studies.

What are the fundamental features of living systems? What are the molecules imparting these features, and how do their chemical properties explain their biological roles? The answers form a basis for understanding the molecules of life, the cell, diseases, and medicines. In contrast with traditional presentations of relevant scientific disciplines in separate courses, we take an integrated apprach, presenting chemistry, molecular biology, biochemistry, and cell biology framed within central problems such as the biology of HIV and cancer.

Explores the moral, political, and scientific implications of new developments in biotechnology. Does science give us the power to alter human nature? If so, how should we exercise this power? The course examines the science and ethics of stem cell research, human cloning, sex selection, genetic engineering, eugenics, genetic discrimination, and human-animal hybrids. Readings will be drawn from literature in the areas of biology, philosophy, and public policy.

This interdisciplinary course will examine the process of drug discovery and development through disease-driven examples. Topics include: the efficacy/toxicity balance, the differences between drugs and inhibitors, the translation of cellular biochemistry to useful medicine.

Cellular and organismal metabolism, with focus on interrelationships between key metabolic pathways and human disease states. Genetic and acquired metabolic diseases and functional consequences for specific organ systems. Lectures and conferences are integrated with clinical encounters with patients.

Why is there confusion in the scientific community as to whether butter or margarine is worse for your health? How do epidemiologists find out whether cell phone use increases your risk for brain cancer? What is your risk of contracting diabetes? Discover how researchers draw on quantitative skills to detect causes of acute disease outbreaks and chronic diseases. This course introduces the techniques and methods for empirically based analyses, decisions, and actions in the context of current public health problems.

Large molecules - DNA, RNA, and proteins - encode and transmit the inherited information in our genes. This course focuses instead on the small molecules that link the genetic program in our DNA to the world in which we live. Small molecules govern how our bodies develop, allow us to respond to changes in our environment, and carry our thoughts. They are also the basis of the drugs we use to fight infections and combat diseases including cancer, diabetes, and depression. In the future, small molecules could even be used to direct the fate of stem cells or extend life.

Asks why certain social groups are at greater risk for more severe health problems (eg., infant mortality, HIV/AIDS, cancer) and yet receive unequal health care in the US. Examines selected health disparities around the world and what best practices foster adequate delivery of healthcare services, mutual respect between patient and provider, and healthy living.

This course introduces the political, social, cultural, and medical constructions of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Drawing upon diverse interdisciplinary texts, we will investigate the pandemic's historical epidemiology; state, medical, and grassroots responses to AIDS; and evolving media representations of AIDS. We will explore both continuities and changes in these dynamics from local, national, and transnational perspectives. To do so, we will focus on examples from the U.S., Latin America, sub-Saharan Africa, and South Asia.

An inquiry into the role of health and medicine in society that demonstrates how anthropological analysis can be applied to the study of illness and care. Compares medical systems across societies to understand the experience and treatment of sickness. Analyzes how practitioners and patients construe sickness and suffering as distinctive social realities, and how those realities are organized in local cultural systems. Assesses varieties of suffering as social phenomena in order to appreciate the social sources of global social problems, the cross-cultural variety of illness experiences, the reform of services, and the global moral and political-economic crisis in health care.

This course introduces the principal health problems of the world's populations. It is an inter-disciplinary exploration of the factors that account for health patterns, ranging from their physiological basis to their epidemiological, economic, social and political context. Topics include: infectious and chronic diseases, childhood and reproductive health, aging, health systems, priority setting, and real world policy. Emphasis is placed on methods for measuring population health, the evidence base for the costs and consequences of interventions, and analytic tools for decision making. Students are encouraged to think creatively about the major challenges to improving health at a global level.

Explores how biological and social factors jointly conspire to determine the health of individuals and populations. Examines how medical care, social networks, and socioeconomic inequality influence illness, recovery, and death.

This course introduces the political, social, cultural, and medical constructions of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Drawing upon diverse interdisciplinary texts, we will investigate the pandemic's historical epidemiology; state, medical, and grassroots responses to AIDS; and evolving media representations of AIDS. We will explore both continuities and changes in these dynamics from local, national, and transnational perspectives. To do so, we will focus on examples from the U.S., Latin America, sub-Saharan Africa, and South Asia.

We the members of the Harvard College Global Health and AIDS Coalition, in order to promote a strong, lasting commitment to the ideals of social justice, organize effective initiatives combating global health inequity, and fight for health as a basic human right, do hereby establish this Constitution of the Harvard College Global Health and AIDS Coalition (HCGHAC).

The Harvard College Global Health and AIDS Coalition (HCGHAC) believes that health should be a fundamental human right.

-Engage students in a growing movement for global health through education and awareness activities

-Effect policy change through advocacy and activism, both on and off campus

-Address local and global health needs through direct service and fundraising

Membership in HCGHAC is conferred upon individuals who have attended at least two general² meetings in the last calendar year. Every member has the right to

1. 
   Ask for an evaluation of any initiative decision by the general HCGHAC body
   
2. 
   Request a report about any general or initiative decision, action, or other proceeding
   
3. 
   Propose a new initiative
   
4. 
   Join any existing initiative
   
5. 
   Participate in any decision-making dialogue and all general voting procedures
   

Initiatives are action groups, comprised of HCGHAC members, whose purpose is to carry out all or part of HCGHAC’s mission through defined goals.

Each initiative, upon formation, will design a format and be held responsible for the work of logistics coordinator(s).

The duties of the logistics coordinator are as follows:

1. 
   Organize weekly meeting time
   
2. 
   Communicate weekly meeting time to HCGHAC member email list with at least 48 hours notice
   
3. 
   Send weekly update to HCGHAC discussion email list by Sunday at noon.
   

The Bureaucracy of HCGHAC will be held accountable by the general membership for the following:

1. 
   Accounting of finances and management of budget
   
2. 
   Collection and dissemination of meeting notes
   
3. 
   Room booking for general and introductory meetings as well as yearly fall retreat
   
4. 
   Yearly Re-Registration and attendance at University affiliate meetings
   
5. 
   Moderate and add new members on relevant email lists
   
6. 
   Ensure website maintenance
   
7. 
   Maintain a current membership roster
   
8. 
   Follow up on initiative deliverables
   
9. 
   Ensure continuation of teach-in and speaker series initiatives
   
10. 
    Act as liaison to outside groups or individuals for non-initiative-specific endeavors
    
11. 
    Ensuring regular social events for HCGHAC membership
    
12. 
    Support recruitment of new members and facilitate their entrance into initiatives
    
13. 
    Facilitate and support information transfer
    
14. 
    Organize weekly rotating chair for planning and general meetings
    

Terms of membership to the Bureaucracy will last for twelve months, commencing upon the first day of the Spring academic semester. The Bureaucracy must have no fewer than three members.

Weekly planning meetings serve as a forum for idea generation and logistical preparation for the weekly general meetings. All initiatives that seek presentation time on the general meeting agenda must have a representative present at the planning meeting.

General meetings serve as the governance forum for all procedural and substantive HCGHAC concerns, including discussion, deliberation, and knowledge reproduction. General meetings should involve clever introductions, initiative updates and involvement opportunities, group decisions, and discussion of new ideas and initiatives.

1. 
   Attend, facilitate, and take notes at the prior planning meeting
   
2. 
   Email an agenda informed by the proceedings at the weekly planning meeting to the HCGHAC general email list no less than 24 hours before the general meeting.
   
3. 
   Moderate general meeting discussion, motions to vote, and voting procedures. Any member has the right to motion for a substitute voting facilitator for any particular issue. This motion must be approved by a ¾ majority for alternate voting facilitator to be selected, and the new voting facilitator must be approved by a ¾ majority.
   
4. 
   Designate and follow up with a note-taker, whose duty it is to take notes on the meeting discussion and email said notes to the HCGHAC general email list, chosen for the meeting’s duration.
   

All major and/or non-initiative-specific decisions will be determined by a general meeting vote. The objective of general meeting discussions will be to reach unanimous consent.

After a decision has been made, any member may make a motion to vote by 2/3 majority to reopen discussion on the topic.

Any member has the right to propose an amendment.

Neha Gupta

Jean Junior

Heidi Kim

Sarah Ruberman

Molly Siegel