BSc Global Development with International Study

The unit conceptualises current approaches and issues in global health. A total of 11 individual lectures explore what global health is and cover. It explores key issues such as the global burden of diseases, social the determinants of health and health inequalities, global health goals and key agendas such as the Sustainable Development Goals;  and important contemporary key topics such as emerging infectious diseases.  

Students will also have the opportunity to develop their knowledge of health systems and the key actors in global health and reflect on what these mean for people’s health.  

Lectures are complemented by a weekly seminar series to explore issues of global health in context, in the UK and globally, and increase awareness of specific health issues and challenges.

The unit aims to:

• Understand the main concepts of importance in analysing global health, including basic principles in epidemiology and public health;
• Understand the root causes that contribute to inequality in health and health access within and between countries.
• Introduce the main contemporary players within the global health system, and to critically evaluate their strengths and weaknesses.
• Engage with global health challenges through an interdisciplinary approach, appreciating and including insights from public health, social theory, and other disciplines.  

The module is delivered using lectures, individual/group structured reading, discussion and preparation sessions, and seminars. The study sessions and seminars provide a structured environment for students to initiate and carry out independent and group work, supported by staff.  

Session material including unit handouts, assigned readings, videos, and web links are made available via Blackboard VLE (accessed via the student system). Information on how to use e-learning tools is included in Welcome Week and in the course unit introductory lecture.

Gain a deep understanding of the basic concepts of Global Health and apply these sensibly to contemporary health challenges.

Further improve research and critical analysis skills through independent investigation of case studies, in-depth discussion of material, and engagement with interdisciplinary approaches 

• Gain experience in oral presentation  
• Develop critical analysis skills 

• Develop research, writing, and presentation skills, both independently and in collaboration
• Build a basic understanding of global health
• Develop awareness of students’ own values as an individual and global citizen  

• Seye Abimbola (2018) On the meaning of global health and the role of global health journals, International Health, 10:63-65. 
• Hani Kim, et al. (2019). A critical assessment of the ideological underpinnings of current practice in global health and their historical origins, Global Health Action, 12:1, 1651017 (13 pages). 
• Paul Farmer (2013) “Reimagining Global Health - An Introduction”, University of California Press. 
• Joia Mukherjee (2017) “An Introduction to Global Health Delivery : Practice, Equity, Human Rights”. New York, NY: Oxford University Press. 
• Michael Marmot, et al. (2020) Health equity in England: The Marmot Review 10 Years On - Executive Summary.