Units: 3
Prerequisites: None
Acceptable for Credit: CSU
Lecture 3 hours.
Course Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

This course examines health, disease, healing, and medicine from a theoretical, psychological, sociological, biological, historical, and cultural perspective. It examines concepts and philosophies from traditional cultural healing systems and contemporary Western medicine from interdisciplinary perspectives. Topics include the history of Western medical practices; principles of Indigenous healing systems; the role of gender in healing; the effects of personality and emotions on health and disease; mind-body sciences; integrative medicine/nutrition; botanicals/herbal medicine and aromatherapy/essential oils; energy therapies, manual healing, and yoga; and future expectations of integrative health. All topics are informed by science and follow the scientific method. Students develop a preliminary portfolio in a selected area of integrative health and wellness.