SFOK26004U Advanced Social Epidemiology

Volume 2026/2027
Education

MSc in Public Health Science - elective course

MSc in Global Health - elective course

MSc in Health Informatics - elective course

MSc in Health Science - elective course

Content

This course offers advanced insights into social epidemiology, providing students with the knowledge, analytical skills, and competencies needed to understand and critically engage with social inequality in health. Drawing on both national and international research, the course examines health disparities across micro-, meso-, and macro-levels of society.

Core themes include the underlying pathways and mechanisms through which social inequalities in health emerge and persist, as well as their short- and long-term consequences for individuals, communities, and populations. A particular emphasis is placed on methodological issues within social epidemiology, including how to measure and analyse social inequality in health. Students will also critically explore the political and ethical dimensions of health inequality.

Learning Outcome

After completing the course, the students are expected to:

Knowledge
Have in-depth knowledge of key concepts, theories, and analytical approaches within social epidemiology. This includes understanding the causes and consequences of social inequalities in health, and being able to critically reflect on scientific literature in the field. 

Skills
Critically analyse, evaluate, and discuss methods, research and interventions addressing social inequality in health from a social epidemiological perspective. This includes the ability to apply relevant theories and methodological approaches to empirical data and policy contexts.

Competencies
Independently analyse and assess issues related to social inequalities in health, including underlying causes, societal consequences, and strategies for mitigation. This includes being equipped to contribute to discussions and policy development in the field of public health.

Collection of articles, reports and book chapters. 

Students are expected to have prior knowledge of epidemiology, at the bachelor's level in public health science.
Lectures and student-centred learning, including group discussions, case work, and critical engagement with empirical studies.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Lectures
  • 20
  • Class Instruction
  • 20
  • Preparation
  • 160
  • Exam
  • 75
  • Total
  • 275
Oral
Individual
Collective
Continuous feedback during the course of the semester
Feedback by final exam (In addition to the grade)
Peer feedback (Students give each other feedback)
Credit
10 ECTS
Type of assessment
Oral exam on basis of previous submission, 5 days + 30 min. oral presentation
Type of assessment details
The written assignment may be completed individually or in groups of two or three students and must not exceed five pages. The assignment forms the basis for an individual oral examination, during which the full course syllabus will be included in the assessment. The oral exam lasts 30 minutes, beginning with a 3–5 minute presentation of the written assignment by the student, followed by an examination based on both the assignment and the course content.
Examination prerequisites

Written assignment, 5 days

Oral examination, 30 minutes

 

Aid
All aids allowed

It is the responsibility of the student to ensure the accuracy, integrity, and originality of the text, including ensuring that the text is not factually incorrect, plagiarized, or contains copyrighted material. AI/LLM’s may not be used as an actual author or a scientific source cf. Vancouver Guidelines.

You must use KU’s template to declare your use of gAI in your assignment.

Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
Two internal examinors
Exam period

See the exam schedule at KUnet

Re-exam

The re-examination will be conducted as an oral exam. The student will have 30 minutes of preparation time, during which they will read a short case and prepare responses to related questions. Texts included in the course curriculum will be available in the preparation room, and the students are not allowed to bring any material themselves. Following this, the student will undergo a 60-minute oral examination, including assessment, based on the case and their prepared answers.

 

Criteria for exam assesment

Assessment criteria for the grade 12

Knowledge

The student demonstrates comprehensive understanding of key concepts, theories, and analytical approaches within social epidemiology. This includes the ability to describe and reflect critically on the causes and consequences of social inequalities in health, as well as methodological challenges in the field.

Skills

The student is able to critically analyse, evaluate, and discuss scientific research and interventions addressing social inequality in health from a social epidemiological perspective. This includes the skilled application of relevant theories and methodological approaches.

Competencies

The student can independently analyse and assess complex issues related to social epidemiology, including measures, causes, and consequences of social inequality in health. The student is able to contribute to discussions and reflect on the broader implications for public health policy and practice.