Incorporating Religion and Spirituality into Teaching and Practice: The Drexel School of Public Health Experience

Since 2006, the Dornsife School has offered doctoral-level and masters-level students a graduate seminar entitled “Faith, Religion, Spirituality and Health.” Framed as a social justice approach to the health of communities, the 10-week course focuses on the psychosocial, epidemiological, environmental, program and policy dimensions of religion, spirituality, and community health. The seminar emphasizes strong student engagement and includes reflective arts, weekly synthesis and reflection papers, active class discussions, visits with guest experts, short research projects, a case-study approach, and a 7-week community-based practicum. On the public health practice level, the school has sponsored trainings with faith communities and religious leaders as well as public health and medical professionals. The author incudes some aspects of R/S in all her courses and has additionally contributed to collaborations with citywide agencies and local multi-faith programs that address trauma, religious competency and diversity, health promotion, and behavioral health.