Social pathways in global health and health promotion, 5 Credits

Contents

The aim of the course is to enable students to use a social science perspective in critical assessment of global health and health promotion. The focus is on how social theories can help in understanding experiences of health and illness as well as in the design and evaluation of interventions for health promotion and disease prevention. The course includes social theories applicable on individual-, group- and structural levels.

Expected learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding
After this course the student is expected to be able to:

• Explain and define social theories and their key concepts.
• Clarify and appraise how social theories permit explain global health problems, consequences and solutions, including health promotion efforts.

 
Skills and Abilities
After this course the student is expected to be able to:

• Perform an independent analysis using social theories to explain global health problems, consequences and solutions, including health promotion efforts.
• Present and discuss, in oral and/or written form, an independent analysis using social theories to explain global health problems, consequences and solutions, including health promotion efforts.

Judgement and approach
After this course the student is expected to be able to:

• Critically review, discuss and assess the application of social theories to explain global health problems, consequences and solutions in scientific research

Required Knowledge

For non-programme students applying as single-course students, the requirements are 120 ECTS, of which a minimum of 30 ECTS are within one of the following: health sciences, environmental health or social sciences. Eng B/6 from Swedish upper secondary school or equivalent.

Form of instruction

Teaching in the course is concentrated to two weeks during the course period. Teaching is performed through plenary lectures, group work, hands-on training, seminars, and home assignments. Teaching is given in English.

Examination modes

The examination has two parts: 1) Participation in literature and/or home assignment seminars and 2) a written exam. Only grades of Fail or Pass will be awarded for seminar participation. The written exam will be awarded the following grades: Fail, Pass or Pass with distinction. Overall grades for the course are: Fail, Pass or Pass with distinction. In order to be awarded Pass for the entire course, it is required that all of the examination part must be Passed. To be awarded Pass with distinction, it is required that the written exam is awarded Pass with distinction.

If a student receives a Fail grade on the written exam, they will be required to revise their original exam according to comments provided by the examiner within the time-line determined by the examiner. Students have the right to five rounds of revisions. They will be eligible for a grade of Pass but not Pass with distinction. Only students who have not received a passing grade are eligible to make revisions in order to pass the exam. Revisions are not allowed for those who have already received a passing grade.  

If there are special reasons, the examiner has the right to decide whether another form of examination can be used. A student who has failed two tests for a course or a part of a class, are entitled to have another examiner appointed, unless there are specific reasons against it. Written request must be submitted to the director of studies.

Other regulations

Start-of-study respite
A respite for the start of studies may be granted under special circumstances. Examples of such circumstances are illness, military service, pregnancy, care of children or other nursing responsibilities etc.
A negative decision about start-of-study respite may be appealed to Överklagandenämnden för högskolan.
Course roll call
Attendance is compulsory for the course roll call. A student may be relieved from this obligation only through a decision by the course coordinator and only under special circumstances. Non-attendance without a valid reason may lead to the seat being given to another applicant. A decision about this is made by the course coordinator.

Students have the right to examine whether previous education or equivalent knowledge and skills acquired can be credited for the corresponding course at Umeå University. Application is submitted to Studentcentrum/Examina. Details on crediting can be found at Umeå University's student web, www.student.umu.se , and the Higher Education Ordinance (Chapter 6) . A refusal of accreditation may be appealed against (Higher Education Ordinance Chapter 12 ) to the University Appeals Board. This applies to the whole or part of the application for accreditation is refused.