PBH 252 - Occupational Health

1 course unit

From a fire in a Bangladesh garment making facility or an explosion on an oil platform to asbestos-related cancer in shipyard workers or radium poisoning in New Jersey painters, this course considers the impact of business practices on the health of workers and the environment. We will analyze several case studies that emphasize the importance of safe practices and highlight the need for federal safety regulations in the workplace. We will examine the impact of industrial operations both domestically and abroad on the environment and public health, and consider the ethical and social aspects of strategies used by big business to sell their products. Students will learn and practice key skills of research, critical analysis, and oral communication.