
Refugee Resettlement in the U.S.: Contextualizing the Odyssey of New Americans
In this Praxis Lab, students gained a deeper understanding of refugee resettlement, a critical yet often misunderstood issue in today’s political landscape. The course focused on social justice, human rights, gender issues, and the challenges of refugee integration into high-income countries, particularly the U.S.
Through collaboration with community service providers such as Catholic Community Services, the International Rescue Committee, and the Refugee-Immigrant Center—Asian Association of Utah, students worked to identify key indicators of integration. They explored what it means to be resettled and the complex process of adaptation in a new country. By applying these insights, students developed a comprehensive advocacy framework for supporting refugee populations in the U.S.
Instructors:
Caren J. Frost, PhD, MPH
Lisa H. Gren, PhD, MSPH
More Praxis Labs

Infectious Disease on the Run
Margaret P. Battin, PhD
Wendy Hobson-Rohrer, MD
This Praxis Lab examined the history, science, and ethical implications of pandemics, from the Black Plague to COVID-19. Students analyzed how diseases spread, the social and political responses to outbreaks, and the ethical considerations of public health interventions.

How We Die
Margaret P. Battin, PhD
This Praxis Lab explored the evolving landscape of death and dying in the modern world, examining the shift from infectious disease mortality to prolonged battles with degenerative illnesses like cancer, heart failure, and dementia.

Education, Incarceration & Justice: Punishment and Opportunity in an Era of Mass Imprisonment
Erin Castro
Roberto Garcia
This Praxis Lab examined the deep connections between education, incarceration, and justice in the United States, a country with the highest incarceration rate in the world. Students explored the historical and systemic forces that have expanded the carceral state, disproportionately affecting low-income communities and communities of color.