Spring 2021 - HSCI 821 G100

Introduction to Global Health (3)

Class Number: 5305

Delivery Method: Remote

Overview

Course Times + Location:

Jan 11 – Apr 16, 2021: Tue, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby

Instructor:
Kate Tairyan
ktairyan@sfu.ca
1 778 782-9064

This is a survey course in global health. The course introduces students to fundamental concepts, frameworks and vocabulary that underwrite the logics of global health, as well as important histories and milestones in the field. A survey will be conducted of the most significant topic areas in the field, considering epidemiological patterns, etiology, approaches to improving health outcomes and the policy ramifications of our knowledge.

COURSE DETAILS:

The course will introduce you to the main determinants of health and disease from a global perspective and prepare you for more advanced coursework in various areas of global health, as well as for public health practice more generally. The course focus is on the interaction of biological, ecological, social, economic, political, and cultural determinants of health. Students will be introduced to some of the major health challenges currently affecting the economically less developed countries and alerted to the importance of employing effective population-based policies and interventions to tackling those health problems. The links between economic development, poverty, and health disparities will be addressed across the topics in this course.

NOTE ON DELIVERY:
The class will meet weekly for live Zoom sessions on Tuesdays 10:00 am - 12:20 pm. It is recommended for students to be present and treat this session as they would a regular class session, however considering the challenges with scheduling, essential parts of those sessions will be recorded and made available on Canvas for those who are not able to attend. Students must attend and lead at least one Tuesday session during the term (students can sign up for those sessions during week one). Also, during the first week, there will be a scheduling survey to arrange for a second 1-hour weekly session that will mainly serve as group work and office hours time.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

- Demonstrate knowledge of the major causes of morbidity and mortality and how health risks vary by gender, income, culture and other key determinants of health across regions,
- Understand the relationship between health and social determinants of health, and how social determinants vary across world regions
- Understand the impact of demographic and epidemiological changes, unsustainable and inequitable resource allocation and consumption on important resources essential to human health including water, sanitation, and food supply
- Understand how global trends in healthcare practice, commerce, and culture, contribute to the health and the quality and availability of healthcare locally and internationally
- Identify barriers to health and healthcare in low-resource settings locally and internationally
- Understand and describe general trends and influences in the global availability and movement of healthcare workers.
- Be familiar and critically assess major multinational efforts to improve health globally
- Demonstrate a basic understanding of the relationship between health and human rights and the role of global health ethics.

Grading

Project (individual and group components) 50%
Session lead 20%
Short essay/Case study 15%
Participation, peer review, reflections 15%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Required readings will be assigned on the course page in Canvas

Graduate Studies Notes:

Important dates and deadlines for graduate students are found here: http://www.sfu.ca/dean-gradstudies/current/important_dates/guidelines.html. The deadline to drop a course with a 100% refund is the end of week 2. The deadline to drop with no notation on your transcript is the end of week 3.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

TEACHING AT SFU IN SPRING 2021

Teaching at SFU in spring 2021 will be conducted primarily through remote methods. There will be in-person course components in a few exceptional cases where this is fundamental to the educational goals of the course. Such course components will be clearly identified at registration, as will course components that will be “live” (synchronous) vs. at your own pace (asynchronous). Enrollment acknowledges that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes. To ensure you can access all course materials, we recommend you have access to a computer with a microphone and camera, and the internet. In some cases your instructor may use Zoom or other means requiring a camera and microphone to invigilate exams. If proctoring software will be used, this will be confirmed in the first week of class.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need class or exam accommodations, including in the current context of remote learning, are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112).

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Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines