AEGiS-07IAC: Teaching an upper division university AIDS course for all majors.

7th International AIDS Conference


Florence, Italy — June 16-21, 1991

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Teaching an upper division university AIDS course for all majors.

Int Conf AIDS 1991 Jun 16-21; 7:443 (abstract no. W.D.4223)
George C, Adler-Moore J; Biology Department, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, CA., USA

OBJECTIVE: To develop an upper division course in AIDS for science and non-science majors, familiarizing students with recent advances in AIDS research and its psychosocial impact.

METHODS: For 3 years, we have taught a 10 week, 40 hour upper division AIDS course to 60% science and 40% non-science majors. Topics covered were epidemiology, safer sex practices, drug addiction, clinical symptomology and treatments, immunology, virology, AIDS laws and AIDS patient programs. Questionnaires and reaction papers were used to evaluate course content, classroom speakers, assigned readings and videotapes. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Use of individualized teaching techniques such as role-playing and small group discussions motivated students to learn complex scientific material and promoted personal involvement in the subject. Scientific principles were presented concisely to minimize learning difficulties. Subjects such as sex and death were presented sensitively to allay students' fears. Speakers who could display empathy for their subject and an ease in discussing it were selected. The sequence of topics involved a gradual desensitization; eg. initially discussing methods of disease transmission, viewing videotapes of various community responses to people with AIDS (PWAs), and then discussing each person's role in promoting safer sex. By the time the PWAs met with the class, students were able to interact with them openly and knowledgeably. The major outcomes of the course were: 1) decreasing prejudice and increasing empathy for PWAs; 2) commitment to practice safer sex; 3) becoming involved in society's fight against AIDS; 4) ability to discuss sensitive topics such as death, sex, and addiction. The success of this course validates its use as a model for other universities.

Keywords: AEGIS, Universities, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Teaching, Students, Safe Sex, Health Education, Role Playing, Education, Medical, Undergraduate, Education, Medical, Questionnaires, Empathy, Communication, Education, Graduate, Patient Education, Human, education, injuries, ICA7
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WD4223

Copyright © 1991 - International AIDS Society (IAS). Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the IAS.