| Unit name | Health and Health Care in a Global Context |
|---|---|
| Unit code | SPOLM1066 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Schaub |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | School for Policy Studies |
| Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
Why is this unit important?
Good health is vital for people to lead a productive life. This unit examines health and illness in different parts of the world and how wider economic and social processes influence health. It helps you understand global health governance and global health policy, using debates to develop your critical reflection. With respect to non-communicable diseases, we focus in on global policies important in tobacco, climate change, nutrition, and physical activity, and look at Covid-19 as a case study when considering infectious diseases. We also consider various inequalities in health and health care around the world.
How does this unit fit into the programme of study
This unit is one of several optional units you can choose to take in the second term of study. This unit provides an opportunity for you to understand global health policies, with the use of case-studies and debates to encourage critical reflection.
An overview of content
This unit will examine current patterns of health and illness in different parts of the world. It highlights continuing inequalities in morbidity and mortality and explores their links with wider economic and social processes. We then consider global health governance and health policy. We cover an overview of non-communicable diseases followed by an in-depth look at global policies important in tobacco, climate change, nutrition, and physical activity. We also cover an overview of infectious diseases with an in-depth look at Covid as a case-study. Finally, we consider various inequalities in health and health care around the world.
How will students be different as a result of the unit:
You will become more confident with understanding of key data on global health. You will be able to link changing patterns of health and illness to wider processes of global restructuring. You will understand the major determinants shaping health and health care in different parts of the world. You will also develop capacity for critical reflection on policy options for improving global health.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
Teaching will be delivered through face-to-face weekly lectures and seminars. Student learning is supported via the online learning platform, Blackboard, where lecture materials and tasks are listed weekly. Each week you will be asked to undertake a specific task or reading to discuss in the seminar session. There is also an emphasis on self-directed study and reading.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
You will be supported in the summative assessment by a formative element consisting of a class debate in a seminar session, usually in week 5. You will be assigned to a debate topic by the unit convenor. You will have an opportunity to discuss and plan your debate points in a seminar session. The unit convenor will give oral feedback after the debate. You will have an opportunity to do a short group presentation where you are encouraged to start focusing in on your essay topic and receive feedback from the unit convenor before starting to write your summative essay.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
Essay (3000 word maximum, 100%).
This assessment addresses all unit learning outcomes.
When assessment does not go to plan
Subject to the university regulations for taught programmes, you may be offered an opportunity for reassessment. If you are eligible to resubmit and where appropriate, you may submit a revised version of your previous assignment, or complete an alternative assessment in the same format as the original assessment.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. SPOLM1066).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
