Course syllabus - Socioeconomic and Political Health Determinants

Objectives

The aim of the course is for students to acquire a deeper understanding of how socioeconomic and political determinants influence health at the individual, group, and societal levels. Furthermore, the course aims to develop students’ ability to critically analyse the social determinants of health, reflect on health inequities, and evaluate health policies and public health strategies.

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course, students are expected to be able to:

1. describe the key socioeconomic and political determinants of health and their significance for health inequities at both local and global levels
2. analyse the relationships between social, economic, and political determinants and health outcomes from individual, group, and societal perspectives
3. critically assess and evaluate health policy strategies and interventions, and propose evidence-based measures to promote health equity
4. independently produce an academic text with good linguistic quality and correct referencing, applying a critical approach to sources

Course content

• Key concepts: equity, justice, ethics, and social sustainability
• Models and frameworks of the social determinants of health
• Political and commercial determinants of health, policy processes, and power structures
• Social inclusion and exclusion, intersectionality, and emerging forms of inequity
• Health inequities in the Nordic countries; global North vs. South
• Global health policy and comparisons between countries

Specific requirements

A completed Bachelor’s degree from an institution of higher education of three years or more, equivalent to at least 180 ECTS credits with a major in public health sciences, caring sciences, medical sciences, psychology, physiotherapy, political sciences, or an equivalent academic field. In addition, at least 5 ECTS credits in public health sciences, either as part of or outside the degree and English course 6 or English level 2 or A TOEFL test result with a minimum score 575 and a TWE score of at least 4.5 (PBT) or 90 with a TWE score of at least 20 (iBT), or an IELTS test result with an overall band score of at least 6.5 and no band score below 5.5, or equivalent, are required.

Examination

HEM1, Take-home examination, 1 credit, Grades Fail (U) or Pass (G).
INL1, Assignment, 4 credits, Grades Fail (U) or Pass (G).

To receive a Pass for the course, the student must have earned a G for HEM1 and INL1

A student who has a certificate from MDU regarding disability study support, can request adaptions for the examination. It is the examiner who takes decisions on any adaptions, based on the certificate and other conditions.

Grade

Two-grade scale