Curriculum Innovation
From innovative Core Education courses like Disease Detectives and Food and Culture to new online degrees in healthcare administration and human services, the college is meeting modern student needs.
Since 2023, the interdisciplinary, eight-member “Elevation” team has been strategically refreshing and elevating the college’s curriculum and teaching.
In an effort to increase enrollment and expose students to the college’s academic programs, the team explored compelling courses intended for the university’s new Core Education curriculum that launched this fall. The team continues to work to support and enhance teaching practices and student engagement across the college and university.
New and updated courses launched from this work include timely and relevant topics such as:
- Disease Detectives
- Unpacking Life Expectancy in the U.S.
- Professionalism and Leadership in Public Health
- Contemporary Families in the U.S.
- Emotional Well-Being: From Self to Society
- Pursue Your Career in Healthcare
- Power and Privilege in Sport
- Food and Culture
- Bridging the Gap: Science Communication and Health Literacy
In addition to exploring new courses and enhanced teaching practices, other changes include modernizing undergraduate programs, adding new academic programs, and leaning into online options. For instance, an advanced dietetics MS option soon will be offered via OSU Ecampus.
The following new degree and degree options are being offered for the first time in fall 2025:
Punk, horror and Taylor Swift
COH Associate Professor Sam Logan teaches Honors College classes on punk, horror and Taylor Swift, examining themes of LGBTQ+ violence and AI through “zines,” a DIY, hands-on approach to co-created learning.
Sam says the zines represent each student’s individuality and counter some of the challenges presented by generative AI, which includes student engagement.
Learn more about Sam and his courses.
The team also plans to establish a more robust presence in the Honors College, with the goal of offering the necessary coursework for students to graduate with both Honors College and COH degrees.
“I am very proud of our programs. Faculty really leaned in to create meaningful, modern programs and courses for today’s students,” says Laurel Kincl, associate dean for academic and faculty affairs. “They’ve gotten creative as well as strategic to meet the needs of students and increase the university’s and college’s relevancy and stability.”
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