Course on individual, societal wellness during pandemic now freely available
Boulder’s interdisciplinary course titled Health, Society and Wellness in COVID-19 Times is available to the general public on Coursera
A groundbreaking, interdisciplinary course that examines challenges students face, aims to boost their ability to improve personal and collective wellness, and create a more just society is now available for free on Coursera, the course faculty recently announced.
In fall 2020, the University of Colorado Boulder debuted the course, titled ARSC 1520: Health, Society and Wellness in COVID-19 Times. The class offers a series of lectures taught by 35 scholars from across the university and features one special guest: Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
It's OK to feel overwhelmed and worried about the unknown, and it's OK to look to our loved ones and community for some extra help when we need it."
The course prepares students to critically analyze the interrelationship between the COVID-19 pandemic and systemic racism, and gain tools to cultivate a socially responsible campus and to maintain their wellness.
The course’s interdisciplinary approach was driven by a collaborative planning process organized by Boulder’s College of Arts and Sciences and the Renée Crown Wellness Institute. Faculty, staff and students from across campus identified content they thought students needed to know, skills that were most relevant to students’ circumstances, and ways instructors could most effectively deliver that information.
The approach produced an academic experience that both delivered relevant content and encouraged students to discover supportive communities.
“It was especially impactful for me personally to hear from Dr. Fauci that he often needs reminders to check in on his own mental and physical health, too, because of how easy it can be to become consumed by the world's current state. More than ever, having a support system is so crucial for every single person,” says Lanie Herbstreit, a first-year psychology major, adding:
“It's OK to feel overwhelmed and worried about the unknown, and it's OK to look to our loved ones and community for some extra help when we need it.”
Individuals interested in the free, open version of the class who have Coursera accounts can access it by visiting the .