Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2025 - HSCI 486 D100

Senior Seminar in Global Health (3)

Class Number: 3520

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Tue, 11:30 a.m.–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    90 units, including at least 15 upper division HSCI units with a minimum grade of C-. Other prerequisites may vary according to topic.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Treatment of current global health issues. Students will examine several topics from theoretical, methodological and policy perspectives.

COURSE DETAILS:

SENIOR SEMINAR ON GLOBAL PANDEMIC PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE

This course covers key topics related to how governments, public health systems and international organizations prepare and respond to pandemic events.  The course begins with an overview of what are pandemic events, and the main drivers of their emergence and spread in recent decades. The institutional and legal arrangements for  countries to engage in collective action on pandemics (global pandemic governance) are then assessed, focused on the role of the World Health Organization and International Health Regulations.  This includes how global health institutions and national governments are seeking to plan for future pandemic events.  The remainder of the course focuses on the four key components of pandemic planning – prevention, preparedness, response and recovery.  What each component involves and what is needed worldwide is considered.  The course also reflects on what we can learn from the COVID-19 pandemic for future pandemic planning.  The course culminates with students playing the COVID-35 pandemic simulation game which integrates the contents of this course and forms the basis of the final assignment.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

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

  1. define the key features and main drivers of pandemic events, and explain how pandemics pose a collective action problem;
  2. explain the institutional and legal arrangements for global pandemic governance, and the role of WHO and national governments in implementing these arrangements;
  3. critically assess the existing arrangements for the four main components of pandemic planning (prevention, preparedness, response and recovery); and
  4. identify lessons from recent pandemic events, notably COVID-19, for strengthening future global pandemic planning.

 

Grading

  • Student-led presentation 30%
  • Position Paper 30%
  • Reflection on COVID-35 Game simulation 30%
  • Class Participation 10%

NOTES:

This course addresses the following core competencies for BA and BSc stream undergraduate students:

  • Measuring health and disease (primary)
  • Core concepts in population and public health (primary)
  • Systems and critical thinking (primary)
  • Strategies for preventing disease and promoting health (reinforcing)

REQUIREMENTS:

This course consists of 13 sessions.  We meet in person for three hours each week for a lecture (including guest lectures), a variety of learning activities, and student-led presentations (Weeks 3-12).  Week 13 (final week) is a full 3-hour session for the class to play COVID-35, a simulation of a future pandemic event where students are required to make decisions in real time about pandemic response measures. All students are expected to participate fully in this final session as the basis of the final Reflection assignment.

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

There is no textbook assigned for this course given the broad scope of topics covered and recent subject matter.  All course readings and materials are made available through SFU Canvas or on-line via the SFU Library or open access (URL provided).  The readings for each session are divided into Required Readings and Recommended Readings.  You should read all Required Readings BEFORE each relevant session.  The Recommended Readings are to provide you with a deeper understanding of the session’s topic if, for example, you decide to write your Briefing Note on that topic or are assigned to give the student presentation/discussion for that week.  The instructor may make minor changes to the reading list or add newly published materials during the term via SFU Canvas.

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website 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

RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.