Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE SOC5015

 
TITLE Introduction to Global Health

 
UM LEVEL 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course

 
MQF LEVEL 7

 
ECTS CREDITS 5

 
DEPARTMENT Sociology

 
DESCRIPTION This new study-unit will be delivered in a blended format and will focus on exploring the impact and implications of societal processes on health and medicine within the globalised context. Health will be examined in relation to the links and interfaces between global and local cultures, the impacts of global disparities in wealth and resources, the impacts of global environmental degradation, and the threat of global pandemics. A selection of topics covered include:

• Decolonising global health
• COVID-19: Lessons for global health
• Tobacco and Alcohol: Lethal but Legal
• Urbanisation and Health
• Non-communicable diseases at a global level
• Neglected tropical diseases
• Global mental health
• Engaging with local communities
• Climate change and health

Study-unit Aims:

• To explore the global patterns of non-communicable diseases within their social context;
• To examine the social implications of managing and mitigating for global pandemics;
• To critically explore the relation between social inequalities and health determinants in the global context with particular focus on inequalities between the global north and the global south;
• To introduce the impacts of global environmental degradation on physical and mental health;
• To introduce critical perspectives to the field of global health studies, research and practice by situating it in a postcolonial context.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

• Think critically about contemporary global issues (social, environmental and economic) and refer to sociological concepts to discuss their impacts on health and health management;
• Discuss the social implications of global pandemics;
• Critically appraise global disparities in health by conceptually linking the global to the local contexts.

2. Skills
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

• Use online and library resources selectively and critically to augment study-unit material, navigate with confidence through online resources critically and selectively;
• Contribute effectively and confidently during focused group discussions, using logical arguments and applying the relevant scholarly concepts;
• Present a reasoned and well structured assignment on a set topic using recognised citation and referencing methods effectively and consistently;
• Deliver a presentation of a set topic, working as a member of a team and using IT tools effectively.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

- MacLachlan, M. (2006). Culture and health: A critical perspective towards global health. John Wiley & Sons.
- Marmot, M. (2016) The Health Gap: The Challenge of an Unequal World. Bloomsbury.
- Mignolo, W. D., & Escobar, A. (Eds.). (2013). Globalization and the decolonial option. Routledge.
- Skolnik, R. L. (2007). Essentials of global health. Jones & Bartlett Publishers.
- Stuckler, D. & Seigel, K.(2011) Sick Societies: responding to the global challenge of chronic disease, Oxford University Press.

Secondary texts:

- Oreskes, N., &Conway, E.M. (2011) The Merchants of Doubt. Bloomsbury.
- Horton, Richard (2020) The COVID-19 Catastrophe. POLITY.
- Smith, L. T. (2013). Decolonizing methodologies: Research and indigenous peoples. Zed Books Ltd.
- Sorel, E. (Ed.). (2013). 21st century global mental health. Jones & Bartlett Publishers.

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Blended Learning

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Online Moderated Discussions and Postings Yes 30%
Assignment Yes 70%

 
LECTURER/S Kay Polidano
Gillian M. Martin

 

 
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit