Brown University is offering a summer course on “Fat Politics,” offering students the opportunity to explore the concept of “fatphobia.”
The Ivy League college’s pre-college course, “Dirty Words: Examining the Science, Culture, and Politics of Obesity,” will teach students about “the multiple perspectives surrounding obesity throughout history and across cultures,” according to the course.
“You’ll consider the pathology of obesity and the rising prevalence of eating disorders in the medical community, as well as how fatphobia intersects with other systems of oppression,” the description reads.
By the time they complete the course, students will have learned about “the social, medical, and cultural impacts of obesity” and “applied major theoretical perspectives to the study of obesity, including feminist/gender perspectives, reader-response perspectives, historical perspectives, and race,” according to the description, “The Lens.” and “Think critically about different perspectives related to obesity stigma in modern society.”
The Ivy League college preparatory course is titled “Dirty Words: Examining the Science, Culture, and Politics of Obesity.” (Getty Images/iStock)
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“Ten years ago, it was almost impossible to open a magazine without seeing an ad for a fad diet,” the course description reads. “Nowadays, you can hardly open TikTok without seeing influencers claiming to be ‘body positive’, and some even call themselves ‘fat positive.’ Despite the best efforts of these creators, the word ‘fat’ still carries an overwhelming negative connotation.
The description notes that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and thousands of nutritionists continue to talk about “the so-called ‘obesity epidemic.'” recognized.
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People relax on the lawn on the campus of Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, on April 25, 2019. (Getty Images)
“All of this begs the question: Is this a public health issue or a social justice issue? As an introduction to the emerging academic field of ‘fat studies,’ this course is not intended to instill in students the principles of the body positivity community, but is to give you the information and skills you need to think critically about how fatphobia permeates the fabric of our society,” the description continues.
Brown’s college preparatory curriculum is designed for high school students to “explore the challenges and opportunities of the college experience,” according to the school’s website. The courses are designed to allow them to balance academic and social activities “without the pressure of formal grades.”
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Brown did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.
