The purpose of this course is to engage students in active and informed discussion regarding the interdisciplinary field of Global Health. The course will explore and explain the various social, political, and cultural underpinnings of health issues. Understanding the functional tools behind delivering sustainable health care and ensuring equity in treatment involves examining global health through the frameworks of its individual disciplines. Simple terms such as “aid” and “development” need to be examined in the context of their colonial roots as well as their place in the 21st century.

This course involves studying the work of current pioneers in global health as well as the various disciplines that contribute to it, including but not limited to anthropology, social medicine, sociology, health economics, and political science. Social literature and history will be taught alongside current medicine and research. Each work will be examined with the goal of ultimately equipping students with the tools to investigate current health care and development models from a holistic standpoint and encourage an understanding that will bolster their contributions to social justice in health care.

In the interest of encompassing all of Partners In Health’s mission, the course contains a section on advocacy, which will give students the knowledge and tools needed to make a change in the political arena and get their voices heard.

Although there will be lecture and reading material posted after class, the focus of this class will be on collaborative presentations and open discussions; students will be expected to maintain a strong dialogue with their peers as well as the instructor.

Attendance is mandatory. If you need to be excused due to an emergency, notify the facilitators before the class period(s) you will miss. Attendance will be taken by sign-in sheet every day 2 minutes after Berkeley Time. Three or more unexcused absences may result in a No Pass. Make-ups for unexcused absences include a written paper of the instructor’s choice, to be determined.

The majority of the class will consist of small group presentations and discussions in addition to lecture; this is where much of the out-of-class work will originate from. Students are expected to make contact with other students and set aside the necessary work time to be prepared for presentations in class. Students will also be expected to complete several small individual projects in class, relating mainly to advocacy and specific real-world initiatives.

This is a first come first serve class by email. If more students than can be accommodated want to join, then enrollment will be based on attendance after the first session. To enroll, please email jsmnlee26@berkeley.edu to communicate your interest in the class before the first session.