ALA 106/109 are required of all HSSP students (the cohort is typically 120 first-year students).
The course series meets the LSA Race/Ethnicity distribution requirement.
ALA 106/109 are taught by Dr. Lisa Harris, and also feature many guest lectures and presentations by UM and community experts. These classes provide a broad examination of the cultural, political, personal, and socioeconomic dimensions of health and health care. The courses afford pre-health students an opportunity to explore domestic and global health policy, social determinants of health, health disparities, ethics, and other pressing matters in the health and health care arena. This content provides a foundation for professional involvement in health care, and allows students to think critically about significant challenges, opportunities, and careers in the field. Students attend one weekly lecture and one weekly discussion/"lab" section. Labs are designed to bring concepts from lecture to life, and use team-based learning and group activities. They require a creative approach that facilitates active learning. Each semester, students also attend 6-7 evening professional "Autobiography" speaker events (lecturers are also expected to attend these). Each student also attends two clinical observations in the U-M health system or broader Ann Arbor community each term (Lecturers do not attend these, though they do help prepare students for them).