LSCI
4102

Planetary Health Seminar: Cancer

Eugene Lang College Lib Arts: Eugene Lang

Liberal Arts
Undergraduate Course
Degree Students
Planetary Health Seminar: Canc
Spring 2025
Taught By: Katayoun Chamany
Section: A

CRN: 15931

Credits: 4

This course investigates the dynamic interplay of genes and environment with a specific focus on human activities that either increase or decrease vulnerability to cancer. Using textbooks, journal articles and case studies we investigate how exposure to the byproducts of industrialization, urbanization, and biomedicine contribute to an uptick in cancer rates (toxins, sunlight, pollution, stress, and increased lifespan). To better understand these relationships, we utilize an epidemiological approach to cancer cause and risk. Additionally, we explore the role that diet and ethnomedicine play in cancer prevention and how advances in genomics and biotechnology have led to new forms of cancer surveillance, diagnosis, and treatment. There is a heavy emphasis on signal transduction pathways involved in cell differentiation, apoptosis, and division. Topics include the impact of cancer on patients and society as related to funding, politics, and healthcare. Four major cancers are discussed in succession: lung cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and cancers caused by infectious agents (cervical, prostate, liver, gastric, leukemia). Prerequisite is LSCI 2040A Genes, Environment and Behavior and the course counts towards the requirement of the Interdisciplinary Science major in the category of intermediate level or capstone.

College: Eugene Lang College Lib Arts (LC)

Department: Eugene Lang (LANG)

Campus: New York City (GV)

Course Format: Seminar (R)

Modality: In-Person

Max Enrollment: 16

Repeat Limit: N/A

Add/Drop Deadline: February 3, 2025 (Monday)

Online Withdrawal Deadline: April 15, 2025 (Tuesday)

Seats Available: Yes

Status: Open*

* Status information is updated every few minutes. The status of this course may have changed since the last update. Open seats may have restrictions that will prevent some students from registering. Updated: 6:38am EST 12/13/2024

Meeting Info:
Days: Tuesday, Thursday
Times: 2:00pm - 3:40pm
Building: Eugene Lang 65 W11th
Room: 465
Date Range: 1/20/2025 - 5/14/2025