TM5552 - Global Health and Development

This course provides students an introduction and inter-disciplinary examination of contemporary global issues, actors and policies. The field of global health has been transformed over the last few decades through an unprecedented increase in international aid for health programs in developing countries, along with a general rise in interest in global health issues coming from governments, multi-lateral organisations, civil society and the private sector - including philanthropies. The changes have had a large impact on population wellbeing, brought new visibility and legitimacy to the study and practice of global health, but have also highlighted and sometimes exacerbated issues of policy and practice. Through lectures, readings and online discussion forums, students will be exposed to the history, theory and practice of global health and development from the varied perspectives of public health, economics, health diplomacy and political science. Students will deepen their understanding by producing an opinion piece and research papers and engage in online discussion and debates about present-day topics.

Learning Outcomes

• demonstrate an understanding of the scope, structures and underlying politics of global health governance and global health financing institutions;
• critically analyse the role of domestic, bi- lateral and multi-lateral stakeholders in the formation and implementation of global health policies;
• evaluate and critique the application of global health principles and paradigms e.g. Sustainable Development Goals and Universal Health Coverage in policies and strategies designed to improve global population health;
• synthesise and appraise qualitative and quantitative information about disease burden and health system functions to identify global health priorities and develop strategies to improve global health outcomes.

Subject Assessment

• Written > Essay (including multi-draft) 1 - (40%) - Individual
• Written > Research report - (60%) - Individual.

Special Assessment Requirements

Contribute to 10 (of 13) weekly discussion boards; Complete both assignments; Receive a mark of >50% in each of the assignments.

Note: Minor variations might occur due to the continuous Subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.