Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Summer 2025 - HSCI 486 D100

Senior Seminar in Global Health (3)

Class Number: 1739

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    May 12 – Aug 8, 2025: Tue, 2:30–5:20 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:

According to the Word Health Organization, the developmental, economic, social and medical impacts of the global burden of malnutrition are serious and lasting, for individuals and their families, for communities and for countries. Globally, about half of deaths among young children are linked to undernutrition while adult obesity has doubled and adolescent obesity has quadrupled since 1990. In this course, we will investigate the magnitude and scope of various forms of malnutrition, including undernutrition, nutritional deficiencies and obesity at global level.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

After taking this course, students will become familiar with:

  • The overview of malnutrition at global level and how it is measured
  • The double burden of malnutrition, particularly in developing countries
  • The global burden of undernutrition and the major nutrient deficiencies in the world, particularly among young children and pregnant women in developing countries
  • The overview of obesity as a major global health issue
  • The causes, correlates  and consequences of obesity among children, adolescents and adults
  • Factors affecting food choices including physical environment, economics, social environment and individual factors

Grading

  • Attendance, participation and class activities 15%
  • Tests 35%
  • Poster Project 15%
  • Final Project 35%

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

A wide range of resources and textbooks will be used for this course. Weekly lecture notes will be posted to Canvas and the links to online resources will be provided.

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

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


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.