Theoretical Foundations of EpidemiologyPHEP 650

Course Data

Number:PHEP 650

Title:Advanced Methods in Epidemiology:Theoretical Foundations of Epidemiology

Credit-hours:3

Department:Department of Epidemiology and Population Health

School/College:School of Public Health and Information Sciences

Type:Lecture

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Catalog Description

This course provides an overview of the history of epidemiology, the development of theory, study designs and methods, and ethical and legal issues in the translation of epidemiologic findings into public health policy.

Course Description

Epidemiology is regarded as a fundamental science for public health, but its theoretical foundations and their historical development are addressed only superficially in most epidemiology methods courses. This course provides an in-depth review of epidemiologic theory, including the historical development of theories health and disease in populations, and the complex interactions of biological, ecological, social and economic forces that result in non-random geographic, racial/ethnic and temporal distributions. The course also covers the interaction of epidemiology with other health sciences and the translation of epidemiologic findings to public health policy.

Central Course Question

What is epidemiological theory?

Fundamental and Powerful Concepts

The central theory of epidemiology is that the distribution of health and disease in populations is not random, but due to interacting biological, environmental and social factors that are amenable to directed actions that ameliorate disparities, prevent disease and promote health.

Course Objectives/Student Learning Outcomes

Brackets refer to levels of cognition according to Bloom’s taxonomy.

C1 = Knowledge

C2 = Comprehension

C3 = Application

C4 = Analysis

C5 = Synthesis

C6 = Evaluation

Prerequisites

Enrollment in the M.S. program in epidemiology or the public health sciences Ph.D. program with specialization in epidemiology, or permission of instructor.

Course Instructors

Name / Office / Phone / Email
Richard Baumgartner, PhD
Course Director / SPHIS 227 / 852-2038 / rnbaum01

The course instructor welcomes conversations with students outside of class. Students may correspond by email or set up appointments by contacting Robin Newlon ().

Course Topics and Schedule

IMPORTANT NOTE: The schedule and topics may change as the course unfolds. Changes are posted on Blackboard.

Class / Topic(s)
Week 1 / Does epidemiologic theory exist?
Science, data, explaining disease distributions
Scope and purpose of epidemiology
2 / Early theories about disease patterns
Concept of causes
Role of environment
3 / Emergence of epidemiologic theories
Miasma versus Contagion
The French Enlightenment and British Sanitary Movement
Role of wealth and society, class and race
4 / Epidemiologists learn to count
William Farr and vital statistics
How epidemiologist learn to “read” patterns in their data
5 / The emergence of germ theory, infection, contagion, specific agents
John Snow and Cholera
6 / Origin of a National Public Health System
William Henry Welch and the founding of Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health
7 / The “Epidemiologic Transition”
Beyond bacteria
Pivotal theorists in 20th century epidemiology
8 / Contemporary, mainstream epidemiologic theory: biomedicine and lifestyle
Expanding the role of biostatistics in epidemiology
9 / Development and expansion of observational study designs
Epidemiologic experiments: natural and contrived
10 / Influence of social sciences on epidemiology
“Ecosocial” theories
11 / Integration of “omics” in epidemiology
The role of technology
12 / Ethics of epidemiology
The tobacco story
13 / Paradigms in epidemiology
What is the future of epidemiology
Epidemiology in the era of “Big Data”
From the “black box” to “chinese puzzles”
14 / Translating epidemiology to public health policy
Knowledge, action, and impact on the people’s health
Unintended side-effects
Epidemiology, politics and the law

Course Materials

Blackboard

The primary mechanism for communication in this course, other than class meetings, is UofL’s Blackboard system at or Instructors use Blackboard to make assignments, provide materials, communicate changes or additions to the course materials or course schedule, and to communicate with students other aspects of the course. It is imperative that students familiarize themselves with Blackboard, check Blackboard frequently for possible announcements, and make sure that their e-mail account in Blackboard is correct, active, and checked frequently.

Required Texts

Porta, M. A Dictionary of Epidemiology, 6th Edition. Oxford University Press, 2014.

Krieger, N. Epidemiology and The People’s Health: Theory and Context. Oxford University Press, 2011

Other Required Reading

A recommended, but not required, text is Susser, M & Stein Z. Eras in Epidemiology. Oxford University Press, 2009. Supplementary readings from this book and from journal articles will be posted regularly on Blackboard. Students are expected to read and be prepared to discuss these in class.

Prepared Materials Used by Instructors

Materials used by instructors in class are available to students via Blackboard no later than 24 hours following the class. These may include outlines, citations, slide presentations, and other materials. There is no assurance that the materials include everything discussed in the class.

Other Materials

None

Course Policies

Attendance and Class Participation

Class attendance is expected and necessary for successful completion of this course. Reading the textbooks, PowerPoint presentations and Blackboard posted readings is not a substitute for attending class.

Student Evaluation

Students will be evaluated based on class attendance, participation in group discussions, and timely completion of the following set of deliverables:

1. A weekly diary of assigned book chapters and Blackboard posted supplementary readings, with a total of 13 sections (14 weeks – 1). These “annotated bibliographies” should consist of thoughtful reflections on the readings, not mere summaries, with identified learning issues and group discussion topics. Two students will be elected each week to lead group discussions based on the readings.

2. A term paper on a pre-approved topic pertinent to the course content. The paper should be at least 20 pages in length, with 20 references to published articles and reports not included in the assigned readings.

Grading

The components of student evaluation are weighted as follows:

1. Class attendance and participation = 10%

2. Weekly diary: 13 sections x 5% = 65%

3. Term paper = 25%

Grading is on a letter scale basis.

Final Grade / Final Percent
A / 92%
B / 82 to 91%
C / 70 to 81%
D or F / < 70%

Note that in the graduate curriculum a grade of C may require a student to repeat a course.

Consequences of Academic HonestyViolation

Copying or plagiarism will resultin a 0 for assigned work and possibly more serious consequences, such as anearned failure for the course and potential expulsion from the program or school. Failure to attend > 50% of classes and provide expected deliverables may result in an unearned failure.

Other Policies

Expected Student Effort Out of Class

Students are expected to spend an average at least 2-1/2 hours per week per credit hour on the course exclusive of class time. This time includes but is not limited to reading, research, preparations for class, team or group meetings (electronic or otherwise), and course deliverables.

Syllabus Revision

The course director reserves the right to modify any portion of this syllabus. A best effort is made to provide an opportunity for students to comment on a proposed change before the change takes place.

Inclement Weather

This course adheres to the University’s policy and decisions regarding cancellation or delayed class schedules. Adjustments are made to the class schedule as necessary to take into account any delays or cancellations of this class. Local television and radio stations broadcast University delays or closings. The UofL web site ( and telephone information line (502-852-5555) also broadcast delays or closings.

Grievances

A student who has grievances regarding the course shouldseek to have the matter resolved through informal discussion and through administrative channels, such as the course director, chair of the course’s department, associate dean for student affairs, and university grievance officer. If the issue remains unresolved, the student may file a formal grievance. More information is located at Summary of SPHIS Student Academic Grievance Procedure in Student Academic Grievance Committee (

Disabilities

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, students with bona fide disabilities are afforded reasonable accommodation. The Disability Resource Center certifies a disability and advises faculty members of reasonable accommodations. More information is located at

Academic Honesty

Students are required to comply with the academic honesty policies of the university and School of Public Health and Information Sciences. These policies prohibit plagiarism, cheating, and other violations of academic honesty. More information is located at

Course instructors use a range of strategies (including plagiarism-prevention software provided by the university) to compare student works with private and public information resources in order to identify possible plagiarism and academic dishonesty. Comparisons of student works require students to submit electronic copies of their final works to the plagiarism-prevention service. The service delivers the works to instructors along with originality reports detailing the presence or lack of possible problems. The service retains copies of final works and may request students’ permission to share copies with other universities for the sole and limited purpose of plagiarism prevention and detection.

In addition instructors provide the opportunity for students to submit preliminary drafts of their works to the service to receive reports of possible problems. Such reports are available only to the submitting student. Copies of preliminary drafts are not retained by the service.

Continuity of Instruction Plan

A plan for continuity of instruction for this course has been developed and published. All plans are available at Continuity of instruction plans provide guidance for how instruction may be modified to lessen disruptionby events that affect transportation, communication, or personal interaction. Such events may be weather-related (e.g., floods, blizzards, tornados), health-related (e.g., epidemics), or other widespreadoccurrences or threats.

Policy on Sexual Misconduct

Title IX/Clery Act Notification

Sexual misconduct (sexual harassment, sexual assault, and sexual/dating/domestic violence) and sex discrimination are violations of University policies. Anyone experiencing sexual misconduct and/or sex discrimination has the right to obtain confidential support from the PEACC Program 852-2663, Counseling Center 852-6585 and Campus Health Services 852-6479.

Reporting your experience or incident to any other University employee (including, but not limited to, professors and instructors) is an official, non-confidential report to the University. To file an official report, please contact the Dean of Student’s Office 852-5787 and/or the University of Louisville Police Department 852-6111. For more information regarding your rights as a victim of sexual misconduct, see the Sexual Misconduct Resource Guide (

Additional Policy Information

Additional policy information is available in the following:

SPHIS Catalog (

SPHIS Policies and Procedures (

UofL Graduate Catalog (

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