Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Summer 2017 - SA 418 D100

International Health: Global Policies and Local Realities (SA) (4)

Class Number: 5669

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    May 8 – Aug 4, 2017: Wed, 1:30–5:20 p.m.
    Vancouver

  • Prerequisites:

    90 credit hours, which must include SA 101 or 150. Highly recommended: SA 218, 302 and 318.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An investigation of the social, cultural, and political issues that contribute to problems of ill-health in resource-poor countries and the major efforts in international public health to address these problems. It explores the application of knowledge about social, and especially gender relations in international health, with particular attention to local perspectives and grassroots initiatives. Institutional frameworks intended to promote health development are examined in historical and contemporary perspective through case studies on topics such as: malaria, population control, maternal health, HIV/AIDS, and tuberculosis. Breadth-Social Sciences.

COURSE DETAILS:

“Many cost-effective interventions achieve less than their predicted effectivenessbecause of the limitations imposed by failures of systems or the behaviour of people.” (Janovsky and Cassels, 1996)

As this understated quote suggests, it is easier to plan international health programs than it is to implement them effectively. Every year, millions of people around the world die – and many more suffer pain and grief – due to health conditions that are, from a technical point of view, preventable, manageable, or curable. How might we better understand the “failures of systems” and the “behaviour(s) of people (and groups)” in order to envision means of addressing this on-going crisis?

We will examine how culture and social relations are pictured in international health programs, as part of an analysis of notions of “health development” and the institutional logics that promote them. We thus take an anthropological approach to global health. That is, we pay special attention to the situations that occur at the social interfaces where the “culture” of public health enters into ordinary lives in the global south. Our aim is to combine applied and critical modes of analysis in order to understand the complexity of serious global health problems.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

This course also aims to develop your critical reading, discussion, and presentation skills. Active student participation in class is therefore required. Although I will be making some presentations to provide you with background knowledge, your own discussion of readings and their implications for the issues is the backbone of the course.

Grading

  • Two (2) article summaries (600 words, 15% each) 30%
  • Two (2) article presentation preparations (notes, discussant questions, oral presentation, 5% each) 10%
  • Portfolio of guided notes on selected readings 15%
  • Class participation 15%
  • Final essay (approx. 1500 words) 30%

NOTES:

To receive a final grade you MUST submit the following:

   *Two (2) article summaries
   *final essay
   *in addition, full participation in “panel discussions” You cannot pass the course unless you are present and participate in these activities.
   *Regular preparation, participation and attendance are expected.

Where a final exam is scheduled and you do not write the exam or withdraw from the course before the deadline date, you will be assigned a N grade. Unless otherwise specified on the course outline, all other graded assignments in this course must be completed for a final grade other than N to be assigned.

Academic Dishonesty and Misconduct Policy
The Department of Sociology and Anthropology follows SFU policy in relation to grading practices, grade appeals (Policy T 20.01) and academic dishonesty and misconduct procedures (S10.01‐ S10.04). Unless otherwise informed by your instructor in writing, in graded written assignments you must cite the sources you rely on and include a bibliography/list of references, following an instructor-approved citation style. It is the responsibility of students to inform themselves of the content of SFU policies available on the SFU website: http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student.html.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Justice, Judith. (1987). Policies, Plans, and People: Culture, Health, and Development in Nepal. University of California Press.
ISBN: 9780520067882

A required set of articles and readings, to be distributed through Canvas.

Registrar Notes:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://students.sfu.ca/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

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS