SCH-32306 Comparative Health Problems and Policies

Course

Credits 6.00

Language of instruction:

English

Assumed knowledge on:

HSO-31806 Advances in Health and Society

Contents:

This course offers a critical perspective on public health issues and the policies meant to address those issues. With the analytical tools of a constructionist social problems framework, students will learn to understand the dynamics of public health issues, take a position in the debate and advance this position. In order to achieve this goal, students will identify, analyse, asses and compare diverse kinds of data, analyse how health issues are constructed by different actors, evaluate how health problems are addressed in policy and compare how health problems are framed in different societies. On the basis of this sound foundation, they will formulate a well reasoned view on a particular problem, as well as possible solutions, which they will communicate in a convincing manner.
The course consists of two meetings each week, individual assignments and group work. Class meetings consist of lectures to familiarize students with conceptual tools, topical lectures on specific public health issues and tutorial sessions during which students work on class assignments. In the final assignment, students will present their view on a public health issue both in writing and through a video.
The course is part of the MSc Communication Health and Life Sciences, specialization Health and Society. It may also be of interest to a wider audience of students eager to increase their skills in critically analyzing the dynamics of social problems in general. With the skills acquired during this course, students will be able to look at social problems through a critical sociological lens, take a well reasoned stance in debates on social problems, and advance this position.

Learning outcomes:

After successful completion of this course students are expected to be able to:
- asses, analyse and compare diverse sources of data about public health issues;
- recognize multiple and complex social processes, patterns and dynamics through which conditions become and are widely recognized as problematic;
- compare how public health issues are framed and addressed in different societies;
- formulate one's own view of a public health issue, including its causes, consequences and potential solutions;
- publicly, compellingly, and with integrity, present one's sociological understanding of a public health issue and potential solutions.

Activities:

- lectures;
- tutorials;
- group work;
- literature study
- individual assignment

Examination:

- written exam with open questions (50%);
- individual assignment (50%).
Both components require a minimum mark of 5.50 to pass the course.

Literature:

Scientific articles via MyPortal.