SIW4100 International Health Policy Course description

The course gives a comprehensive introduction to global health problems, health policy studies, and international and national strategies to meet these problems.

Language of instruction is English.

None.

After completing the course, the student should have the following overall learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student

• has advanced knowledge of global health problems and global health policy
• has thorough knowledge of theories, ethics discussions and empirical methods in the study of health care systems, illness and disease in populations
• can apply scholarly theories and methods to new areas in international health policy

Skills

The student can

• analyse and deal critically with various sources of information about the global health situation and main challenges to health and health care
• analyse and deal critically with the relationship between culture and illness
• evaluate research methods and strategies in investigations of population health
• apply relevant theories and arguments in debates on health inequalities
• apply relevant health policy theories to evaluate health challenges
• apply relevant theories and evaluate the role of organisations in international health policies

General Competence

The student can

• apply his/her knowledge and skills in new areas in order to carry out advanced assignments and projects in international health policy
• communicate about academic issues, analyses and conclusions in international health policy, both with specialists and the general public
• contribute to new thinking and innovation processes in international health policy

The course is organised into a series of lectures and seminars. Students are expected to play an active role. Students will also be required to present papers, and discuss course themes during lectures and seminars.

The following coursework requirement must be completed and approved by the given deadline in order for the student to take the exam.

Students must submit a coursework requirement paper of eight pages (+/- 10%), calibri, pt. 12, paragraph 1.5, written preferably in groups (4-5 students). Students who wish to write individually (around 4-5 pages) must get permission from the course lecturer. The topic of the work requirement will reflect main areas of the course curriculum and lectures.

The coursework requirement papers are to be presented at a seminar, or poster session, or zoom gathering. Participation in the seminar, or poster session, or zoom gathering is a mandatory part of the coursework requirement.

Students whose papers are not approved after the first submission will be given the chance to resubmit. Papers that are not approved after two submissions will disqualify students from sitting the final examination.

The student's learning outcome will be assessed on the basis of an individual six-hour written school examination.

Students may use a spelling dictionary, as well as a bilingual dictionary during the written school exam.

Grade scale A - F

The exam papers are assessed by one internal and one external examiner. A random selection consisting of at least 25% of the exam papers will be graded by both an internal and external examiner. This will inform the grading of the remaining exam papers.

Simon Innvær