Migration and Health, 5 Credits

Contents

This course explores the complex aspects of migration and its impact on health. The course is divided into four themes: Introduction to Migration and Health, Intersectionality and Health Disparities, Migrants' Access to Healthcare and Social Services, and Promoting Migrants' Health. The goal is to foster a deep understanding of the challenges faced by people on the move during the migration process. The course also highlights migration as a central social determinant of health.

The course examines various dimensions of migration that can affect health. Through an intersectional framework, participants gain insight into how different dimensions of inequality interact and affect health and access to services. The course also emphasizes the important roles that national and international laws and migration policies play in shaping migrants' health, including their access to healthcare and other essential welfare services. The course encourages an integrated approach to meeting the diverse needs of migrant populations and explores strategies for providing effective care and support.

Expected learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding 
After successfully completing this course, students must be able to:

• Describe migration as an important global and public health issue, its challenges and opportunities.
• Explain key terms related to migration, as well as the healthcare needs of migrant populations.

Skills and ability 
After successfully completing this course, students must be able to:

• Apply appropriate strategies to meet the specific needs of migrant populations.
• Overcome communication barriers in cross-cultural encounters.
• Analyze from an intersectional perspective how different dimensions of inequality interact and affect health outcomes among migrants.

Judgement and approach 
After successfully completing this course, students must be able to:

• Analyze and reflect on how individual, interpersonal, and structural factors affect access to healthcare and other essential services.
• Reflect on and criticize their own cultural assumptions, values, and beliefs.
• Reflect on the right to health in the context of migration, and how racism, discrimination, laws, policies and practices can contribute to health inequalities between groups.

Required Knowledge

To be admitted to the course, applicants must have at least 90 ECTS in health and healthcare, social work, social sciences, or behavioural sciences. Proficiency in English and Swedish equivalent to the level required for basic eligibility for higher studies.

Form of instruction

The course is offered online and includes lectures, individual assignments, group work, as well as seminars, simulation exercises, and a written take-home exam. The seminars involve oral presentations of a home assignment and the take-home exam, where students receive feedback from their peers who are expected to participate actively.

The simulation exercises consist of role-playing scenarios where students practice navigating healthcare for migrants and participate in skills workshops focused on effective communication in a simulated environment. The seminars and simulation exercises are conducted live via Zoom or Teams at predetermined times. Other course materials are available online and can be completed at one's own pace.

The instruction is mainly in Swedish, but some lectures may be given in English depending on the lecturer's language skills. The course spans two months with a study pace of 50%, and the live sessions held online provide flexibility for distance participation.

Examination modes

This course is assessed individually through a written take-home exam and active participation in two mandatory seminars and one mandatory simulation exercise.

The grades for the written exam are Fail (U), Pass (G), or Pass with Distinction (VG). For the mandatory seminars and simulation exercise, the grades are Pass (G) or Fail (U). The overall course grades are: Fail, Pass, or Pass with Distinction. To receive a Pass (G) for the entire course, all assessed components must be passed, and to receive a Pass with Distinction (VG), the take-home exam must also be graded as Pass with Distinction.

Students who do not pass the mandatory seminars and simulation exercise will be given a supplementary assignment to complete according to the examiner's instructions. Students who do not pass the written take-home exam will need to revise their exam according to the examiner's feedback and resubmit their revised work for a second assessment within a timeframe determined by the examiner. A written exam that initially received a Fail grade but is later revised can be awarded a maximum grade of Pass. It is only allowed to supplement a failed result to a pass; supplementation for a higher grade is not permitted.

Examiners may decide to deviate from the modes of assessment in the course syllabus. Individual adaptation of modes of assessment must give due consideration to the student's needs. The adaptation of modes of assessment must remain within the framework of the intended learning outcomes in the course syllabus. Students who require an adapted examination - and have received a decision on the right to support from the coordinator at the Student Services Office for students with disabilities - must submit a request to the department holding the course no later than 10 days before the examination. The examiner decides on the adaptation of the examination, after which the student will be notified.

Additional instructions related to examinations and grading will be provided by the course coordinator at the start of the course.