J-Term 2011

Understanding AIDS 

Exploring the Global AIDS Epidemic Through Films, Texts, Speakers, and Field Trips

March 28, 2011

An estimated 30.8 million adults and 2.5 million children were living with HIV as of 2009. In that year alone, 1.8 million people died as a result of AIDS.

During J-Term 2011, Carthage students had the opportunity to gain knowledge about the HIV/AIDS virus, its prevention, and how they can help in the course Understanding AIDS: Topics in J-Term, taught by Prof. Marla Polley. Through films, documentaries, texts, speakers, a field trip and service projects, students developed a better understanding of the AIDS pandemic.

Prof. Polley, who teaches Western Heritage at Carthage, has been teaching Understanding AIDS for a number of years. With all the advancing research and clinical trials, “it is a challenge to stay up to date,” she said. This year there are 27 students in the class, of all ages.

I like that when the students leave this class, they are more educated about HIV and AIDS,” Prof. Polley said. “No matter what life they have, this will make them more compassionate, more educated, and a better world citizen.”

Throughout J-Term, the class hosted a variety of speakers including people who have HIV, representatives from HIV support agencies, pharmacies and more.

One of the most anticipated activities was a trip to the Test Positive Aware Network, an organization in Chicago that provides support services and advocacy for those who are affected by HIV. Students completed a service project and learned what services are provided at the HIV/AIDS agencies. One important part of the trip was that “people living with HIV told their stories to us,” Prof. Polley said.

The class also incorporated activities to help students put themselves in the shoes of those living with HIV. For example, at the beginning of the term, each student in the course completed a contract stating one thing he or she would give up, and one thing he or she would do to try to better themselves. The exercise helps students understand the sacrifices HIV patients must make.

Students also did a pharmacy simulation. For one weekend, they had to take “medicine” at scheduled times. The medicine consisted of Tums tablets and sucking on a lemon. While on the regimen, students were not allowed to nap, drink or eat chocolate. If students didn’t adhere to the rules for 95 percent of the time, the simulated HIV in their bodies would have the opportunity to progress by coping and mutating. The exercise helped students understand the seriousness of taking medication: For those people living with HIV, forgetting to take medicine even one time can have a huge impact on how the virus progresses in their body.

It was very insightful,” said Carly Gusto, ’14.

For some, simply remembering to take the medicine was a challenge, and the schedule interfered with sport schedules and social lives.

Students also had to make a drug schedule for a person who has HIV. Through this simulation, students had to time out the different medications so the side effects wouldn’t interfere with everyday life. The task proved to be almost impossible.

Prof. Polley would recommend all students take the course. “Every field, every job, every person is touched by HIV — whether they know it or not,” she said. 

— Kasey Dallman, ‘14