Faculty Perspective with Professor Jo Weaver

Summary

Leslie Jo Weaver, also known as Jo, introduces her roles at the University of Oregon (UO) as a professor in the Department of Global Studies and director of the Global Health program. She highlights these programs as ideal for students uncertain about their career paths, emphasizing their broad scope and focus on global issues. Jo discusses the interdisciplinary nature of Global Studies and the specialized Global Health program, which addresses health equity. She shares her enthusiasm for teaching courses like 'Foundations for Intercultural Competence' and 'Global Mental Health,' stressing their relevance to understanding cultural perspectives on health. Jo encourages student engagement with faculty, highlighting the importance of developing writing and critical thinking skills for future success.

Takeaways

• 📚 Jo Weaver is a professor at the University of Oregon (UO), directing the Global Health Program and participating in the Department of Global Studies.
• 🌐 Both Global Studies and Global Health programs are designed for students with broad interests in global issues, particularly those uncertain about their specific career paths.
• 🏛️ Global Studies is a multidisciplinary field encompassing diplomacy, global business, health, development, and international relations.
• 🩺 The Global Health program, directed by Weaver, focuses on health and development, preparing students for careers in global health equity.
• 🌟 Weaver's background includes a Ph.D. in anthropology and a master's in global public health, influencing her approach to teaching and directing these programs.
• 👩‍🎓 Students in Global Studies and Global Health are engaged in various activities, including a student club called Students for Global Health and the APRU global health working group.
• 🏥 The Global Health program is particularly relevant in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the importance of global health equity.
• 📈 Global Studies 102, taught by Weaver, is a foundational course for intercultural competence, teaching students to interact respectfully across cultural differences.
• 🧠 Global Studies 467, another course Weaver teaches, focuses on Global Mental Health, exploring cultural perspectives on happiness, sadness, and stress.
• 📈 The APRU Global Health Case Study Competition is an annual event at UO, where students develop innovative solutions to global health challenges.
• 📝 Weaver emphasizes the importance of office hours, encouraging students to engage with professors for personalized guidance and support.
• 💡 She advises students to develop strong writing and critical thinking skills, which are transferable and valuable across various career paths.

Q & A

What roles does Jo Weaver serve at the University of Oregon (UO)?

Jo Weaver serves as a professor in the Department of Global Studies and also directs the Global Health Program at UO.

What does Jo Weaver find exciting about the Global Studies and Global Health programs?

Jo Weaver finds these programs exciting because they are broad and deal with pressing global concerns, which are ideal for students unsure of their specific career paths.

What is the focus of the Global Studies program at UO?

The Global Studies program is a broad field focusing on areas such as diplomacy, global business, global health, development, and international relations.

How does Jo Weaver's background in anthropology relate to her work in Global Studies?

Jo Weaver's research focuses on understanding health and illness around the world and how people cope with these in different cultural settings, which aligns with the broad nature of Global Studies.

What is the primary aim of the Global Health program that Jo Weaver directs?

The Global Health program aims to prepare students interested in fields around global health and development, with a focus on global health equity.

What is the significance of the student club 'Students for Global Health' at UO?

The 'Students for Global Health' club is significant as it was formed by students before the global health degree program existed and helped advocate for the creation of the global health minor at UO.

How does the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) connect to global health at UO?

UO's participation in APRU allows students and faculty interested in global health and global studies to connect with others in the Pacific Rim region and participate in events like the annual global health case study competition.

What is the title of the course Jo Weaver teaches on intercultural competence?

The title of the course Jo Weaver teaches on intercultural competence is 'Global Studies 102: Foundations for Intercultural Competence'.

What are the key topics covered in the 'Global Studies 102: Foundations for Intercultural Competence' course?

The course covers topics such as developing awareness of one's own cultural biases, how values shape worldviews, and practicing respectful interaction across cultural differences.

What is the title and focus of the upper-level Global Health course that Jo Weaver teaches?

The title of the upper-level Global Health course is 'Global Studies 467: Global Mental Health', which focuses on mental health around the world and how it is conceptualized and managed across different cultures.

What advice does Jo Weaver give to students for engaging with their professors and enhancing their college experience?

Jo Weaver advises students to take advantage of professors' office hours and to focus on developing key transferable skills such as writing and critical thinking.