Text

Course syllabus - Societal Challenges and Health

Scope

5.0 credits

Course code

FHA103

Valid from

Autumn semester 2026

Education level

Second cycle

Progressive Specialisation

A1N (Second cycle, has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirements)

Main area(s)

Science of Public Health

Organisation

Department of Health Sciences, Innovation and Design

Ratified

2025-12-09

Literature lists

Course literature is preliminary up to 8 weeks before course start. Course literature can be valid over several semesters.

Objectives

The aim of the course is for the student to acquire knowledge of how complex societal challenges shape local and global health outcomes and contribute to health inequities. In addition, the course aims to develop students’ ability to critically examine theories, policy frameworks, and practical approaches to promote health equity related to local and global societal challenges.

Learning outcomes

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

  1. examine how different societal challenges –for instance climate change, migration and digitalization – affect public health outcomes and contribute to health inequalities
  2. explain and justify the choice of different theoretical frameworks or models with significance for health related to societal changes
  3. recommend and motivate concrete, country-specific policy and practical solutions to a societal challenge to reduce health inequalities, taking into account the country's social, political and economic conditions
  4. analyze professional development in relation to possible future professional roles and career paths within public health science

Course content

  • Central concepts: eg. collaboration, complex societal challenges, globalization, governance
  • Contextual conditions
  • Policies
  • Social sustainablity
  • Theories, models and frameworks
  • Professional development and career planning

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

INL1, Assignment, 5 credits. Grades Fail (U) or Pass (G).

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