Professor: Dumenco Course format: Seminar Number of respondents: 17 Total Enrollment: 22 Class Composition: Froshs: 1 Sophs: 2 Jrs: 6 Srs: 13 Concs: 4 Non-Concs: 11 Don't Know: 0

Instructor Average: 1.59 Course Average: 1.56

For students interested in women’s health and the American healthcare system, “Women and Healthcare” is a university course worth exploring. This seminar also falls under the Biology Department, although no prerequisites are required. The goal of the course is to explore women’s health issues and learn how to take care of them in the framework of our healthcare system.

Students describe Professor Dumenco as a very knowledgeable leader who allowed student discussion to dominate the class period. Although discussion was central to the seminar, Professor Dumenco would commonly chime in with necessary information to fuel the discussion and point it in certain directions. The class atmosphere was considered positive, and Professor Dumenco was commonly described as “nice and enthusiastic” as well as open to questions and concerns. However, some students complained that she had a few biases and prevented discussion regarding certain issues.

The course requires two ten-page papers, weekly reading quizzes and one presentation. The weekly quizzes are meant to be more of a reading check than a stress-inducing exam. In addition to these assignments, the course heavily emphasizes attendance and participation. Most students found both textbooks informative and interesting, yet commonly redundant and repetitive.

Students provided varied feedback on the workload ranging from one hour a week to seven. Despite how much time the students spent on the work, almost all agreed that the class was interesting and extremely useful. Since the class is so heavily based on discussion, students must be ready to share opinions and determined to learn from others. Students interested in healthcare should weight the option of this small seminar.

View UC/0064 in the Brown Online Course Announcement.