SMEA15067U Summer Course in Global Health Challenges

Volume 2024/2025
Education

Master of Science in Medicine - compulsory

Content

The Summer Course in Global Health Challenges consists of two weeks of class based learning and one week e-learning. The course convenes students from a range of professional backgrounds to introduce them to the key concepts, determinants, opportunities and challenges in global public health. Through a mix of lectures, case studies, group work and workshops, this summer school explores, discusses and analyses many of the greatest challenges to current and future health. Gathering a truly international group of passionate students, the summer course aims to serve as a platform for learning, exchanging experiences and views, networking, and inspiration, thus empowering participants to become more effective health leaders, thinkers and change-agents.

Topics covered by the course may include the following: Health & Human Rights; Global Health Governance; Epidemiological Transition; Public Health Demography; Determinants of Health; Access to Medicines; Health & Development; Technology, Innovation & Global Health; Disasters & Humanitarian Assistance; Migration & Mental Health; Health Systems in a Global Context; and more.

Learning Outcome

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge:

On completion of the course, the students should be able to:

  • Exemplify knowledge of global health infrastructure and governance including the main international actors
  • Explain global transition in disease burden and its determinants
  • Exemplify knowledge of and discuss equity in health and health and human rights
  • Demonstrate an understanding of current global health challenges and implications for health policy and systems at global, regional and national level
  • Demonstrate knowledge of key global health databases

 

Skills:

  • Explore, explain and analyse key challenges to current and future health at global and regional level
  • Reflect upon the role of key global health stakeholders in shaping policies and programs targeting global health challenges
  • Analyse and discuss current global health governance structures
  • Analyse dilemmas in resource allocation and priority setting in global health
  • Draft a policy brief on a selected global health challenge
  • Contribute constructively to peer-review
  • Navigate in key global health databases

 

Competencies:

  • Reflect upon and discuss policies and programs across sectors, disciplines, and geographical regions
  • Communicate global health priorities through a policy brief and advocacy strategies
  • Identify and discuss key determinants of global transition in disease burden
  • Critically evaluate global health governance structures, and actors
  • Contribute to a constructive and effective team process within an international teaching environment

 

Literature

Assignments and a draft policy brief will be completed as part of the online course component. In addition, literature will be made available on the online course platform where students will be expected to read selected scientific articles, explore databases and review reports in global health. 

Students must have an adequate level of academic English that will enable them to read the provided literature, and partake in discussions and presentations.
Applicants, who are not students of the Master of Science in Medicine at the University of Copenhagen, must have completed at least undergraduate level training within a relevant academic field and must submit a letter of motivation to the course responsible for assessment. All applications must be submitted through the course specific online application form (see below).
The course is taught by international and Danish professionals and academics from a range of Universities, United Nations agencies and consultants with experience from Global Health. Teaching includes lectures, group sessions, student presentations, e-learning and excursions.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Lectures
  • 70
  • Preparation
  • 45
  • Practical exercises
  • 20
  • Total
  • 135
Continuous feedback during the course of the semester
Credit
5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Requirement to attend classes
Type of assessment details
Course certificate is achieved on the basis of course participation.
Marking scale
passed/not passed
Censorship form
No external censorship
One internal assessor
Criteria for exam assesment

To obtain the assessment “passed” the student must demonstrate the following:

On completion of the course, the students should be able to:

Knowledge:

  • Exemplify knowledge of global health infrastructure and governance including the main international actors
  • Explain global transition in disease burden and its determinants
  • Exemplify knowledge of and discuss equity in health and health and human rights
  • Demonstrate an understanding of current global health challenges and implications for health policy and systems at global, regional and national level
  • Demonstrate knowledge of key global health databases

 

Skills:

  • Explore, explain and analyse key challenges to current and future health at global and regional level
  • Reflect upon the role of key global health stakeholders in shaping policies and programs targeting global health challenges
  • Analyse and discuss current global health governance structures
  • Analyse dilemmas in resource allocation and priority setting in global health
  • Draft a policy brief on a selected global health challenge
  • Contribute constructively to peer-review
  • Navigate in key global health databases

 

Competencies:

  • Reflect upon and discuss policies and programs across sectors, disciplines, and geographical regions
  • Communicate global health priorities through a policy brief and advocacy strategies
  • Identify and discuss key determinants of global transition in disease burden
  • Critically evaluate global health governance structures, and actors
  • Contribute to a constructive and effective team process within an international teaching environment