Empowering Global Citizens

Overview

In this unit, students will begin with literature and with an examination of Dr.
Farmer, a character in Tracy Kidder’s book Mountains beyond Mountains who
is committed to health and poverty (http://www.amazon.com/Mountains—
Beyond—Healing—World—Farmer/dp/ 0375 506160#_). (Note that the book is
356 pages.) Students will then explore and present information regarding the
contexts presented in this book, which can be viewed as case studies on the
intersection between health, culture, economics, and policy. Students will
then explore careers in public health, primarily by connecting and talking
with individuals who have made their own careers in public health.

Activity SPH3.1

Mountains beyond Mountains

(Note this can be ongoing with the following two activities or read more
quickly as a stand—alone first activity in this unit.)

Students should read Kidder’s Mountains beyond Mountains. For lesson
plans, see the following:

0 http://www.webenglishteacher.c0m/kidder.html
0 http://www.bookrags.com/Mountains__Beyond_Mountains

The following are some questions for discussion, reflection, 0r essay writing:

1. What are the meanings of the metaphor of mountains beyond
mountains? What is the relationship between this metaphor and
health?

2. What relationship between poverty and health is presented in this
book? Do you agree or disagree with this position? Why?

3. What did you learn about the character of Dr. Farmer?

4. How did Farmer’s ideas about justice evolve over time?

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