HP404      Half Unit
Global Health Policy: Institutions, Actors and Politics

This information is for the 2019/20 session.

Teacher responsible

Dr Clare Wenham COW 3.07

Availability

This course is compulsory on the MSc in Global Health Policy. This course is available on the MSc in Global Population Health, MSc in Health Policy, Planning and Financing, MSc in Health and International Development, MSc in International Health Policy and MSc in International Health Policy (Health Economics). This course is available as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.

This course is compulsory on the MSc Global Health Policy. This course is available on Msc International Health Policy, Msc International Health Policy (HE), Msc Health Policy Planning and Financing  and MSc in Health and International Development. This course is available as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.

Course content

Globalization has not only impacted on the nature of emerging global health but the policy responses to these challenges. This module critically examines the transnational institutions and actors involved in global health policy and the interplay between them. The governance of global health issues has traditionally been carried out by states and various United Nations agencies (namely, the World Health Organisation), but given the transboundary nature of many global health issues, a diverse range of actors, including the private sector, civil society organizations and national governments, are now integrally involved. The funding of global health programmes and policies, for example, has shifted from primarily bi-/multilateral donors to include private and public sectors and philanthropists in a global health governance mosaic. The module will use a number of case studies to examine the organisation and role of global health institutions, the challenges and opportunities presented by these governance arrangements, and their (intended and unintended) impacts on global health policy and practice. In doing so, the module will draw on contributions from a range of social sciences including sociology, political science and health services research.

Teaching

15 hours of lectures and 10 hours of seminars in the MT.

Ten 90 minute lectures and ten 60 minute seminars.

Formative coursework

One essay (1000 words) focusing on different approaches to framing global health

Indicative reading

Frenk, J., & Moon, S. (2013). Governance challenges in global health. New England Journal of Medicine, 368(10), 936-942.

Taylor, S. (2018). ‘Global health’: meaning what?. BMJ Global Health, 3(2) e000843.

Davies, S. (2010). Global politics of health. Polity.

McInnes, C., & Lee, K. (2012). Global health and international relations. Polity.

Assessment

Essay (100%, 4000 words) in the MT.

One extended essay (4000 words) will be due at the end of MT. Essay questions will be provided at the start of the course, or students are welcome to select an essay topic of their choice, with approval from the course convener.  

Student performance results

(2015/16 - 2017/18 combined)

Classification % of students
Distinction 14.3
Merit 60
Pass 24.8
Fail 1

Key facts

Department: Health Policy

Total students 2018/19: 59

Average class size 2018/19: 15

Controlled access 2018/19: No

Value: Half Unit

Guidelines for interpreting course guide information

Personal development skills

  • Self-management
  • Team working
  • Problem solving
  • Application of numeracy skills
  • Specialist skills