LLS 1322 - AIDS in Society

Credits: 3 hrs.

If we know how to prevent HIV why do so many people have it? This is your opportunity to tackle the tough questions such as, why do some treatment and prevention strategies work better than others? This course challenges you to think about HIV/AIDS in the same way as a scientist would; that means explaining the “whys” of a specific phenomenon. As scientists, your job is to learn how to separate HIV fact from myth by evaluating evidence. In your role as junior scientists you will learn how to use available data to craft plausible explanations for questions such as, why was society’s response to HIV/AIDS less than aggressive? Why is there still a stigma surrounding the disease? Should testing be mandatory? Why is the impact of HIV/AIDS greater on communities of color? We will explore how the practical realities of finite resources and cultural beliefs shape what it means to live with HIV/AIDS in the 21^st century or know someone who does.