DV421      Half Unit
Global Health and Development

This information is for the 2013/14 session.

Availability

This course is available on the MPA in International Development, MSc in Development Management, MSc in Development Studies, MSc in Global Politics, MSc in Global Politics (Global Civil Society), MSc in Health, Community and Development, MSc in Health, Population and Society, MSc in International Development and Humanitarian Emergencies, MSc in Population and Development, MSc in Urban Policy (LSE and Sciences Po) and MSc in Urbanisation and Development. This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.

Course content

The course is concerned with inter-relationships between emerging challenges to human health in the developing world and their socio-economic and political context. Both the causes of emerging health threats and their consequences are examined. The approach of the course is to discuss specific (re-)emerging health threats, and to critically assess their determinants and impacts, and policies and interventions to address their spread. A wide range of topics is covered, including: the relationship between health, population and development; the demographic and epidemiological transitions; biological, behavioural, socio-economic, and environmental influences on health outcomes, especially the role of demographic change, conflict, famine, and climate change; the causes and consequences of the "Big Three": HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria; Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs); water and sanitation; and, non-communicable diseases; and, local and international health intervention efforts and policies.

Teaching

15 hours of lectures and 15 hours of seminars in the LT. 1 hour and 30 minutes of lectures in the ST.

Formative coursework

Students are expected to prepare at least one class presentation and submit one essay.

Indicative reading

A detailed weekly reading list will be provided at the first lecture. The readings for this course are from journals and select book chapters in the fields of public health and epidemiology, public policy, demography, and anthropology among others. Readings will also include case studies of disease control efforts in various countries and reports, papers and articles published by international organizations, think-tanks, and a variety of other sources.

Assessment

Exam (80%, duration: 2 hours) in the main exam period.
Essay (20%, 2000 words) in the ST.

Student performance results

(2009/10 - 2011/12 combined)

Classification % of students
Distinction 8.4
Merit 80.4
Pass 11.2
Fail 0

Key facts

Department: International Development

Total students 2012/13: 36

Average class size 2012/13: 9

Value: Half Unit

Guidelines for interpreting course guide information

Personal development skills

  • Self-management
  • Team working
  • Problem solving
  • Application of information skills
  • Communication

Course survey results

(2010/11 - 2012/13 combined)

1 = "best" score, 5 = "worst" score

The scores below are average responses.

Response rate: 92.1%

Question

Average
response

Reading list (Q2.1)

1.6

Materials (Q2.3)

1.5

Course satisfied (Q2.4)

1.4

Lectures (Q2.5)

1.5

Integration (Q2.6)

1.5

Contact (Q2.7)

1.7

Feedback (Q2.8)

1.8

Recommend (Q2.9)

Yes

90.5%

Maybe

9.5%

No

0%