2016-2017
Health in a Global Perspective
Category: Medicine and Health
Code: IS 140
Level: 5
Credits: 15
Teaching Pattern
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Seminar
3 x 3hrs
3 x 3hrs
3 x 3hrs
3 x 3hrs
Tutorial
1 x 20mins
*you will be expected to do approximately 108 hours of independent study over the 4 weeks.
Outline
Why is life expectancy for people in wealthy countries nearly 40 years greater than those in poorer
countries? Yet, among the developed countries it is not the richest societies which have the best
health, but those which have the smallest income differences between rich and poor?
This module examines the relationship between health and development, and the social, political and
economic contexts determining population health. Focusing on the relationship between poverty,
social marginality and illness in a variety of historical and contemporary contexts you will explore how
health and health care systems have been shaped by colonialism, socialism and global capitalism.
You will examine the role of international agencies such as the World Health Organization or the
pharmaceutical industry in shaping health policy and access to health care. You will examine the
reasons for the rapid spread of HIV in Africa and the problems of access to medicines in developing
countries. You will also study the implications of homelessness, migration, mental health and organ
donation for individual health and well-being. The scrutiny of sexuality, such as in the domain of
policies of population control and reproductive rights, as well as the impact of a positive approach to
sex that can contribute to empowerment, are further important aspects of the module. The module will
be conducted in seminar style. Active participation and contribution to class discussion are expected
of all students.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the module students will be able to:
Demonstrate a theoretical understanding of the different social science perspectives on global
health and related key concepts
Develop an awareness of the political and socioeconomic complexity of most health problems
Develop an understanding of cross-cultural approaches to health and the consequent need for
an anthropological/sociological involvement in the field of global health.
Develop the skills to reflect critically on the material discussed in class in written papers and
class discussions
1
SUMMER Session 2
Contacts
Stephen Roberts
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SUMMER Session 2
Email: [email protected]
Indicative Reading List
Core Reading List
Castro, A., & Singer, M. (Eds.). (2004). Unhealthy Health Policy: A Critical Anthropological Examination. Walnut Creek,
CA: Altamira Press.
Cornwall, A., & Jolly, S. (Eds.). (2006). Sexuality Matters. IDS Bulletin , 37 (5)
Farmer, P. (2005). Pathologies of Power: Health, Human Rights, and the New War on the Poor . London: University of
California Press.
Fadiman, A. (1998). The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down. New York: Noonday Press.
Levy, B. and Sidel, V. (2006), Social Injustice in Public Health, Oxford University Press
Petchesky, R. (2003). Global Prescriptions: Gendering Health and Human Rights. London : Zed Books .
Scheper-Hughes, N. (1993). Death Without Weeping. Berkeley, University of California Press.
Sered, S., & Fernandopulle, R. (2005). Uninsured in America: Life and Death in the Land of Opportunity. London:
University of California Press.
Filmography
Health for sale. Directed by Michele Mellara and Alessandro Rossi
Sicko. Directed by Michel Moore
Brazil: Winning Against AIDS. Directed by Bruce Sorrentino
Until de Violence Stops. Directed by VDay and Eve Ensler
University Library
The Library,
University of Sussex,
Brighton
BN1 9QL
Phone: 01273 678163
[email protected]
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SUMMER Session 2