5 credits

In this course, students will review how recent international issues such as terrorism, civil war, mass migration, and refugee crises influence development and lives of human beings throughout their lifespan. Students will examine how extreme life stressors such as exposure to disaster, war, terrorism, displacement, genocide, instability, loss of family, and death influence health (e.g., sanitation, diseases, reproductive issues) and mental health issues (such as trauma, anxiety, depression, adjustment difficulties, debilitating mental illnesses) and also impact the psychosocial well-being and development of infants, children, young adults, adults, and elders within their specific contextual and cultural background. Students will also examine psychosocial support and intervention programs developed for health and mental health promotion of the affected individuals and how they impact positive social change.