NURS 3600: Critical Issues in Global Health

Course Description

The focus of this course will be on the current state of global health. What is our current global health agenda? The course will explore the best ways to solve the many issues and problems associated with global health. Foege (1998) summarizes health in the twentieth century as "spectacular achievements, spectacular inequities" (p. 1931). Methods of furthering productive partnerships transcending cultural differences and political boundaries will be presented.

Learning Outcomes

At the completion of this course, students will be able to:

To explore the challenges to be addressed to improve the world's health in the twenty first century.
To examine the impact of poverty on the world's health and the excess burden of disease among the poor.
To identify needed reform in current health systems to better address the health of those being served.
To identify potential threats to health resulting from economic crises, unhealthy environments, and risky behavior.
To explore patterns of health and illness amongst countries, continents, and the world.
To explore the need for global partnerships to shape the future of health.
To look at the role of governments in improving the health of its citizenry.

Course Materials

Please go to MBS Direct to find the appropriate textbooks for this course. Please be aware when purchasing your textbooks that the International versions of the text may differ from the Domestic (North American) version required for your course.

Click here for more information about textbooks for online courses.

Course Activities (2 credit hour option)

The course will be conducted entirely online. Students are expected to participate in all course activities as assigned by the instructor. Course activities may include extensive reading, papers, presentations, discussions, quizzes, and/or group projects. The activities below represent a sampling of course activities. However, individual instructors may incorporate other activities such as journals and group work into the course materials.

Readings & Reviews :
Students are expected to read and review all assigned course materials.

Reviews:
Each student will conduct both a movie and an agency review. Criteria for successful completion of these projects will be presented in the course materials.

Discussions:
Student "active" participation in online discussions is mandatory. It is expected that students' comments should integrate their own experience with the topic. Discussion dialogue should always be substantive, thoughtful, respectful, and meaningful with the instructor and other students. Discussion questions could be based on any course material such as weekly assignments and readings.

Student Presentations:
Each student is expected to give a presentation to the class (15 – 20 minutes) on one aspect of global health. Presentations are encouraged to incorporate audio-visual material and other creative methods of presentation. The presenter should prepare an outline, a bibliography, and a PowerPoint presentation on the topic and distribute it to the class and the instructor the week before the scheduled presentation. The bibliography should consist of at least 10 references.

Participation:
The instructor reserves the right to drop any student enrolled in the course who fails to participate in class appropriately, e.g., nonparticipation in discussions and/or failure to submit assignments. Specifics participation criteria will be posted in your course materials.

Course Activities (3 credit hour option)

To earn 3 credits, all of the above requirements for 2 credits must be met plus a literature review. The criteria for completing the literature will be provided through the course materials.

Policy Statements

The course policies follow Webster University policies including online class policies. Non-participation in online discussions and activities will affect your grade. Remember plagiarism concerns are part of this online course and the University's overall academic dishonesty policies. Plagiarism is use of another's idea, opinion, publications, writings, information in one's own publication without proper credit to the original source of the idea, opinion, writing, or information. Please cite whenever appropriate. (see the Undergraduate College Academic Policies and Procedures)

Academic Honesty:
The university is committed to high standards of academic honesty. Students will be held responsible for violations of these standards. Please refer to the Nursing Department’s Academic Honesty policies for a definition of academic dishonesty and potential disciplinary actions associated with it.

Drops and Withdrawals:
Please be aware that, should you choose to drop or withdraw from this course, the date on which you notify the university of your decision will determine the amount of tuition refund you receive. Students may withdraw from courses up to and including the Friday of the sixth week of an eight-week course and the Friday of the twelfth week of a semester course. To withdraw, a student must complete a withdrawal form, which is signed by the advisor. The symbol for course withdrawal (W) is recorded on the student's transcript. Withdrawals after the above dates may occur only under exceptional circumstances, and the withdrawal form must be approved by the instructor, the advisor, department chair and the director of the Academic Advising Center.

Please refer to the Undergraduate Catalog university policies on drops and withdrawals to find out what the deadlines are for dropping a course with a full refund and for withdrawing from a course with a partial refund.

Special Services:
If you are registered as a student with a documented disability and are entitled to classroom or testing accommodations, it is your responsibility to inform the instructor at the beginning of the course of the accommodations you will require in this class so that these can be provided. If you have a disability that may have some impact on your work in this class and for which you may require accommodations please contact the Academic Resource Center.

Disturbances:
Every student is entitled to full participation in class without interruption and all students are expected participate in all online course activities. Disruption of the learning process or inconsiderate behavior is not acceptable. Students are expected to treat the instructor and other students with dignity and respect, especially in cases where a diversity of opinion arises. Students who engage in disruptive behavior are subject to disciplinary action, including removal from the course.

Note: This syllabus may be revised at any time at the discretion of the instructor and without prior notification or consent of the student.

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