This course will explore the science, ethics, and cultural differences between the U.S. and Spain in terms of how the concussion crisis developed and is being managed. We will track the histories of the concussion crisis starting in the U.S. and migrating through the rest of the world, focusing on the effects in Europe and Spain. We will address the question of why America's most popular sport (football) has come under significant regulatory scrutiny while Spain's most popular sport (futbol) has had less change but bears similar risk. Related questions investigated in this course will be: Are some sports too dangerous to play? How much scientific data is needed to legally restrict an activity, such as driving without a seatbelt? When should the government step in to protect children and when should parents be trusted to make the decisions? With disclosure and proper compensation, should individuals be allowed to manage their own risk? We will also examine other off-shoots of concussion awareness in the U.S. and Spain such as changes to helmet technology, concussion monitoring technologies, teen depression, and automotive safety. The quantitative tools developed in this course are built upon and apply to other risky behaviors such as tobacco/drug use, firearm use, motorcycling, and toxic exposures. Limited enrollment.
3 units · Letter (ABCD/NP)
This course will explore the science, ethics, and cultural differences between the U.S. and Spain in terms of how the concussion crisis developed and is being managed. We will track the histories of the concussion crisis starting in the U.S. and migrating through the rest of the world, focusing on the effects in Europe and Spain. We will address the question of why America's most popular sport (football) has come under significant regulatory scrutiny while Spain's most popular sport (futbol) has had less change but bears similar risk. Related questions investigated in this course will be: Are some sports too dangerous to play? How much scientific data is needed to legally restrict an activity, such as driving without a seatbelt? When should the government step in to protect children and when should parents be trusted to make the decisions? With disclosure and proper compensation, should individuals be allowed to manage their own risk? We will also examine other off-shoots of concussion awareness in the U.S. and Spain such as changes to helmet technology, concussion monitoring technologies, teen depression, and automotive safety. The quantitative tools developed in this course are built upon and apply to other risky behaviors such as tobacco/drug use, firearm use, motorcycling, and toxic exposures. Limited enrollment.