MSc Occupational Hygiene

Year of entry: 2025

Course unit details:
Global Health into the 21st Century

Course unit fact file
Unit code POPH62311
Credit rating 15
Unit level FHEQ level 7 – master's degree or fourth year of an integrated master's degree
Teaching period(s) Semester 1
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

This course will be of interest to everyone wanting to explore what is meant by the relatively new, but increasingly fashionable concept of global health. It will be relevant to all students, but may have particular relevance to  health or development policymakers, managers and practitioners from both developed and developing countries. The course will examine how the global health concept has evolved in the context of globalisation. It will then delve into the underpinnings of health and disease in diverse contexts and dissect the workings of the global health system: what are its key assumptions and principal frameworks that guide international health co-operation. How effective is this in creating a healthier world? Are global health inequalities improving or worsening, and does that matter? How does global health relate to sustainable development? As you go through the course unit, we will also highlight the topics’ relevance to current events globally.

This is an interactive course. Students must work through the online course material. Students are encouraged to use the Blackboard discussion boards to ask questions and check their understanding of the course material.

Aims

This unit aims to examine how the global health concept has evolved in the context of globalisation. It will look into the key political, social, economic, legal, and institutional underpinnings of health and disease in diverse contexts.

Learning outcomes

  • To understand key values, concepts and frameworks that underpin global health, and develop envisioning and strategising skills for leadership and advocacy in this area
  • To analyse political, social, economic, legal and institutional factors that affect health and disease from a global perspective, and how the local and global inter-connect against the backdrop of the major drivers of globalisation
  • To appreciate the strengths and failings of key actors in the global health system to be able to argue for change and improvement, and as a practical foundation for working effectively with or alongside them
  • To practice critical interdisciplinary skills to explore global health issues and controversies, and tackle complex problems in resource poor or culturally sensitive/politically difficult settings

Syllabus

The course will work its way through all the major themes necessary to understand global health:

  • Recognise the essential underpinnings of global health
  • Understand the present global health architecture and governance arrangements
  • Understand how global health is positioned in Agenda 2030: Sustainable Development Goals
  • Appraise the long journey from primary health care for all towards today’s notions on Universal Health Coverage
  • Analyse the global distribution and determinants of health and disease
  • Familiarise with global health law and global health security
  • Discuss how global health is used as an instrument for waging war and peace
  • Analyse concerns around healthcare in danger, and health as a bridge for peace
  • Understand the role business plays in health, negatively and positively
  • Look at future trends in the 21st century: from global health to planetary health

Teaching and learning methods

This is a mandatory course unit for students studying on the on-campus programme, or an optional course unit for students on the web-based learning programme. There will be written materials by the tutors guiding students through the course, illustrated with photographs and figures to illustrate the rich topic areas. Much of the content will be presented through reading, including peer reviewed journals (accessible through the University library), and multimedia, including videos. Students will be directed to a variety of relevant literature each week, but also encouraged to research and explore and find their own sources.  

There will be regular interaction with the tutors through scheduled seminars (which will be recorded for those on the web-based option) and online through the discussion boards. Students will be encouraged to use self-reflection to think about the ideas discussed, and take part in discussion board activities. Students should work through the unit in a logical sequence. The individual course unit timetables will guide what should be done and when. Participation in the discussion boards is greatly encouraged, and can help enhance your learning experience and prepare you for your assessment.

For all students - The majority of the course will be delivered through the virtual learning platform, which will include required and additional reading, self-tests and discussion boards.  

Web-based students - There will be webinars that will be recorded to allow synchronous and asynchronous learning. Web-based students may join webinars live, but it is not mandatory. Recordings will be made of all face-to-face activities and will be made available.

For on campus students - All face-to-face activities are mandatory for all students. Attendance is monitored and an escalation policy is in place for non-attendance. The tutor-led sessions will be recorded and made available for all students as part of good pedagogic practice for accessibility, revision and consolidation. We also have weekly peer-led team study sessions where you will be asked to undertake tasks linked to the course unit materials using the discussion boards.

For all students - In line with guidance from the Office for Students and Quality Assurance Agency, the programme will be augmented by the Programme Director Seminar Series to deliver study skills, written English, academic writing, research skills, critical thinking and understanding arguments, careers and employability skills, revision/assessment/examination skills including time management. 

Knowledge and understanding

  • Understand key values, concepts and frameworks that underpin global health
  • Explore the health impact of globalisation and the shifting burden of disease
  • Appreciate the link between socio-economic development and health outcomes
  • Familiarise with the Sustainable Development Goals and their evolution from the Millennium Development Goals
  • Explore the social determinants of health
  • Understand the key features of the global policy debates and their evolution into the Universal Health Coverage concept
  • Critically analyse key international laws that impact on global health policy and practice

Intellectual skills

  • Analyse political, social, economic, legal, and institutional factors that affect health and disease from a global perspective, and how the local and global inter-connect against the backdrop of the major drivers of globalisation.
     
  • Recognise moral values and personal beliefs that animate the global health movement.

Practical skills

  • Practice critical interdisciplinary skills to explore global health issues and controversies, and tackle complex problems in resource poor or culturally sensitive/ politically difficult settings
  • Consider how global health progress may be tracked and measured
  • Demonstrate the ability to apply critical thinking when applying global health issues to a specific context

Transferable skills and personal qualities

  • Appreciate the strengths and failings of the key actors in the global health system as a practical foundation for working effectively with or alongside them
  • Consider ethical issues in designing global health policies and practice
  • Understand the wider humanitarian context for the health work crises
  • Work collaboratively on a range of activities - teamwork
  • Apply principles of evidence based practice

Employability skills

Group/team working
The student is expected to play an active role collaborating with the course unit team and other students to work in an inter-disciplinary manner.
Innovation/creativity
We envisage that students who have taken this unit will become ambassadors for a better global outlook for understanding a fast changing world and how that impacts on their own work.
Problem solving
In this course unit, individual students will bring a professional or relevant health or development issue to the course. The course is designed to provide an academic basis for understanding and applying global thinking and approaches to policies and practices in Public Health.

Assessment methods

Method Weight
Written assignment (inc essay) 100%

Feedback methods

Students will be provided with personalised feedback for their final summative assignment (2,500-3,000 words or equivalent) within 20 working days.

Further opportunities for formative feedback (on non-assessed work) will be provided during the course through tutor-student interactions, including discussion board tasks.

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
eAssessment 50
Seminars 10
Independent study hours
Independent study 90

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Gregory Williams Unit coordinator

Additional notes

For further information please watch this video from our Course Unit Leader.

If you have any questions about the content of this unit, please contact the course unit leader, Greg Williams, via email on greg.williams@manchester.ac.uk. If you have any other queries, please contact the PGT programme administrators via email on shs.programmes@manchester.ac.uk.

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