FRS 002 — Sec. 023 —
(2 units) — CRN 93944 — M 4:10-6:00pm — 251 Olsen
Challenge for Premedical Students: Homelessness in America
Instructors: Amerish Bera, Department of Medical Education, School of
Medicine and Barbara Robin, Advising Services
Description: In this seminar we will analyze the range of social
and economic factors that contribute to homelessness including domestic violence,
substance abuse, teenage pregnancy, high cost of living, unemployment, deinstitutionalization
of mental illness, and drug addiction. We will also examine the wide spectrum
of health problems directly related to homelessness. Among those are HIV, chronic
illness, disabilities, asthma, and other physical and mental illnesses. Students
will be expected to pose possible solutions to this widespread problem.
Format: Class will be held 2 hours each week on Mondays from
4pm-6pm for 2 units and a letter grade. Time will be divided between informal
lectures, class and small group discussions, guest speakers and a field trip.
Oral presentations and a final paper will be required on a specific area of focus.
Grading: Students will be assigned a letter grade based
on: 1) Class participation and interaction - 30%; 2) Oral Presentation - 20%;
and 3) Written analysis of reading assignments - two 2-3 page papers, and a final
3-4 page paper - 50%.
About the Instructors: Amerish Bera, MD
is a Board Certified Internist who has been serving as Assistant Dean for Admissions
and Outreach at UC Davis School of Medicine. Prior to joining the faculty at UCD-SOM,
Dr Bera served as Chief Medical Officer and Medical Director for the County of
Sacramento. Dr. Bera received his Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences and
Doctor of Medicine Degree from the University of California, Irvine. His area
of interest is health care delivery, particularly to the uninsured and medically
indigent populations. In addition, Dr. Bera has been involved in teaching and
training UCD medical students for over 10 years.
Barbara Robin has been working at UC Davis for 15 years,
11 as a health sciences advisor/coordinator in Advising Services. She received
her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in education and counseling from the University
of Michigan and a certificate in College Admissions and Career Planning from UC
Berkeley. In response to the needs of the large number of students looking for
career options in health-related fields, Barbara developed the curriculum for
a new pilot assessment course for students interested in the health sciences.