Foundations of Global Health I
Volledige vakbeschrijving
Foundations of Global Health 1 provides students with essential tools for critically assessing problems in global health policy from an intersectional global, and national/local perspective. Traditional approaches to policy analysis often focus on the effectiveness of policy solutions. In the more critical approach we use in Foundations 1, we will focus instead on the preceding phase in the policy cycle: namely, how the ‘problem’ leading to the policy is defined, how the policy came about (actors and political processes), and how the policy deals with complex and interactive social inequalities. We will use the WPR (What is the problem represented to be) and IBPA (Intersectionality Based Policy Analysis Framework) which is intended for evaluating differential effects of policy on different groups and to tackle health inequalities when making health-related decisions at the level of policy and programming.
Students participate in the course together with students from McMaster University (Canada), Thamassat University (Thailand), Manipal Academy of Higher Education (India), Rosario University (Colombia), Afhad University for Women (Sudan), University of South- Eastern Norway, and Niigata University (Japan). The course is online and students work in groups of 6 with participants of at least two universities. The objectives of the course will be achieved through self-directed group work supported by lectures, readings, and feedback from the tutor. The marking scheme for the course will be based on group work with each group completing two assignments pertaining to the critical analysis of different policies. In addition, each individual student is required to submit a reflection précis, on the evolution of your own professional skills and abilities within the context of group processes.
Doelstellingen van dit vak
- To be able to conduct a policy analysis and identify and critically appraise the way the problem is framed in real life policies or policy proposals.
- To be able to critically appraise the implications of the problem definition (framing of the problem) for the distribution of responsibility and accountability.
- To get insights in how inequities and unequal power dynamics shape global health issues.
- To be able to identify global actors of major health issues and be aware of the context in which they operate.
- To be able to critically appraise (global) health policies at various levels, integrating knowledge from diverse disciplines including health, business and the social sciences.
- To be able to communicate the results of a global health issue concisely and effectively.
- To develop and demonstrate an attitude of professionalism and critical self-awareness within the context of global health teamwork.