Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2021 - HSCI 130 D100

Foundations of Health Science (4)

Class Number: 2820

Delivery Method: Remote

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 11 – Apr 16, 2021: Wed, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

How health, illness and disease are defined and measured for individuals and populations. Research strategies used to identify how health, illness and disease are distributed across human populations and how environmental, socio-economic, demographic, biological, behavioural and political factors influence individual and population health. Breadth-Social Sci/Science.

COURSE DETAILS:

This foundational course is designed to provide students with an overview of (1) the concepts of health, illness and disease and how these constructs have varied across cultures and historical periods; (2) the terminology used to describe and measure patterns of health, illness and disease in the field of public health; (3) the social determinants of health and how we employ public policy to promote the health of the population; (4) examples of specific health issues (e.g. sanitation, infectious diseases and rise of public health, etc.); and (5) health systems, public policy and population health.

In Spring 2021 semester the Course will be delivered asynchronously. All learning materials and assignments will be available on the Course website in Canvas. Students will work in small group tutorials, will interact with their peers, TA and instructor and will participate in the course activities through the online platform. In addition, the Instructor and TAs will hold weekly live meetings on Zoom to provide support.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:

- describe the concepts of health, illness and disease from a range of perspectives;

- understand the core terminology and strategies used to measure health, illness and disease in the field of population and public health;

- explain how a range of factors may act as potential health determinants (e.g.environmental, socio-economic, demographic, biological, behavioural and political factors) on individual and population levels;

- critically reflect on solutions to problems involving health, illness and disease.

Grading

  • Tutorial Assignments 20%
  • Practical Excercises 20%
  • Quiz 1 20%
  • Quiz 2 20%
  • Team Project + participation 20%

NOTES:

Student will  be expected to use technology to work collaboratively in their Tutorial groups.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Readings and learning materials will be assigned on Canvas.

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).