Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2023 - HSCI 891 G200

Special Topics in Health Sciences (3)

Class Number: 7620

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 6 – Oct 6, 2023: Tue, 8:30–11:20 a.m.
    Burnaby

    Oct 11 – Dec 5, 2023: Tue, 8:30–11:20 a.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Special topics in areas not currently covered within the graduate program offerings.

COURSE DETAILS:

Course Description: This course will explore the interconnections between planning and public health, and equip students with skills and experiences to plan healthy communities. The planning and public health disciplines emerged together with the common goal of preventing infectious disease outbreaks. Since that time, the disciplines diverged; public health following a clinical model and planning focusing on urban design and physical form. However, as the intimate connections between the built environment and disease continue to surface, the planning and public health fields have begun to converge once again. This course is organized in 4 units: (1) planning and public health foundations; (2) natural and built environments; (3) vulnerable populations and health disparities; and (4) integration and health policy.

In some instances, this course is run as a CityStudio partner course (http://citystudiovancouver.com/).

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Learning Objectives:                        
1) Foundational Knowledge. To understand public health and planning history, evolution and significant movements to the present, and historical and current theories on the relationship between the built environment and public health.
2) Application. To identify contemporary features of the built environment such as patterns of development, parks, public works projects, houses, and transportation systems that reflect past efforts to influence health, and use methods developed by architects, urban planners, public health professionals, and sociologists to address current health impacts of the built environment.
3) Human Dimensions. To learn about oneself and the context in which others operate to better integrate that understanding when evaluating differing built environments, socioeconomic positions, social and cultural backgrounds, and health status.
4) Integration and Communication. To develop skills to identify studies and engage communities, critique methods and findings, and apply lessons from planning and public health research to current and future problems. Integrate current evidence regarding the impacts of the built environment on health with information and perspectives from other courses and/or personal experiences.

Some offerings of this course may be CityStudio partner courses.

Grading

  • Homework and In-class assignments 25%
  • Communication assignment 20%
  • Research overview and bibliography 25%
  • Pecha Kucha/Product and summary report 30%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Dannenberg AL, Frumkin H, Jackson R. 2011. Making Healthy Places. Island Press.  Journal articles and other materials assigned (available via Canvas or through SFU Library).

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.

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 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 semester 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.