HS 480—International Health
Tues & Thur—8:00 – 9:30 am
CLK 133
Brother Tyler Watson
watsont@byui.edu
Office Hours --- M-F 10-11
Office – 145 K Clarke
Phone – x 4657
Required Text: NONE
Introduction to the course
There are two types of international health that we will discuss in this course. The
first is what is commonly referred to as “Travelers Health”: issues that individuals
from one nation or region should consider when traveling to other parts of the world.
The second is Global health: issues that cause or facilitate poor health throughout the
world.
It is easy (and common) to think of international health as “stuff that happens over
there”, but many of the same issues that foreign nations deal with occur right here in
America as well.
We will be exploring public health/health care issues from a global perspective
trying to figure out the root causes of poor health throughout our global community.
We are all children of our God, and he wishes us the best. He also wants us to care
for one another. So, we will do our best to examine these issues through the lens of
the commandment “love one another” (John 13:34).
We will learn through case studies, selected readings from organizations that
participate in international health relief, and the scriptures.
The learning model will be fully implemented in this class. I am here merely to
coordinate learning opportunities. I will ask questions and we will explore the
answers together. I also encourage you to ask questions of me and others in the
class.
Learning Outcomes:
1. You will be capable of identifying Aid Agencies and what they do to help
citizens of the world.
2. You will be able to articulate the major maternal/child health issues facing
countries in the world
3. You will be capable of debating the pros and cons of different health care
delivery systems throughout the world
4. You will know where to find credible/valid information relating to traveler
and international health
5. You will be able to identify political/policy issues that inhibit improved health
around the world
Learning Model:
Preparation: The preparation for this course includes reading the material before
class and writing down questions to ask in class. You may also be asked to complete
essay questions prior to the first day of any module. The essay questions will be
listed on Blackboard. This initial reading and contemplation is critical to focused
and deliberate discussion in class.
Teach One Another: We will use many methods to accomplish this in class. Most
frequently we will have discussion and debate using what is most commonly called
the Socratic method. I will ask questions very similar to the ones you will be given in
your preparation essays. You should be able to support your ideas and be willing to
examine your preconceptions through the prism of others. You will also complete
an in-class presentation that will explain the health issues of your chosen country.
Ponder and Prove: We will accomplish small case studies related to the topics in
the class. These should allow you to identify how the principles in class work in
different countries.
Class Policies:
Mutual respect: Public health/medical issues can, at times, be controversial.
Discussion of the pros and cons, ethics, and policy proposals may be discussed in
this class. Purposeful and respectful debate help stimulate critical thinking and I
encourage you to help me create an exceptional learning environment. It is also
important to remember that academic debate does not necessarily reflect an
individual’s personally held opinion of a particular topic.
Attendance: For this class, attendance is mandatory. A large portion of your
grade depends on your PREPARATION for the days material, but if you are not here,
it will be difficult for me to understand how prepared you are. PLEASE be here on
time. Discussion is the life blood of this course as we explore health issues in other
countries together. Please attend, on time, and prepared for the day.
Cell Phones: Please put them away.
University Policies: My goal is to help you become the best professionals
possible. I will therefore diligently work with you to uphold the standards you
have committed to.
Services for Students with Disabilities: The BYU-Idaho catalog (page 55)
addresses the needs for services for students with physical and academic
disabilities. If you have any specific needs that relate to this policy please
discuss them with me either in my office or through e-mail.
Academic Honesty: BYU-Idaho students should seek to be totally honest in
all their dealings. They should complete their own work and be evaluated for
that work. They should avoid academic dishonesty and misconduct in all its
forms, including but not limited to plagiarism, fabrication or falsification,
cheating, and other academic misconduct. (BYU-Idaho Student Catalog, pg 45,
BYU-I Honor Code)
Dress Code: The dress and grooming of both men and women should always
be modest, neat and clean, and consistent with the values and principles of
Brigham Young University–Idaho and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints. Please know that I will ask you to abide by the dress and honor code.
Good taste, common sense, discretion, consideration, and high moral
standards are the watchwords for dress and grooming. Flagrant behavior or
extreme dress and grooming at any time or in any place may result in a
review of the individual’s understanding of the expected behavior or
grooming. Clothing is to be modest in fabric, fit, length, style, and
appropriate for the occasion. Men’s and women’s dress should be reflective
of their gender, while excessive or extreme styles should be avoided. For
women, wardrobe selection should reflect modesty and femininity becoming
a Latter-day Saint woman. For men, clothing should reflect good taste and
masculinity becoming a priesthood bearer.
Please make sure you have read and understand the policies in the undergraduate
catalog
Grading: Students will be graded on a linear scale (not curved). An “A” is a grade
of merit and will take dedication to coursework and mastery of subject matter. Just
completing the minimum expectations does not denote “A” effort. You will need to
take the time to study, apply, and understand these topics (such that you could teach
a section of this course on your own) in order to get an A. The grading system for
this class is below.
A = 93-100
A- = 90-92
B+ = 87-89
B = 83-86
B- = 80-82
C+ = 77-79
C = 73-76
C- = 70-72
D+ = 67-69
D = 63-66
D- = 60-62
Failing = < 60
Assignments:
Preparation
Module assignments
Teach one another
Presentation
Participation and attendance if necessary
Ponder and prove
Book Review
Case study assignments
Essay questions for preparation – 40 points
Each week we will discuss a new Module. You will be expected to come to that class
with essay questions typed out and ready to hand in (when they are assigned).
These questions will be the “leaders” into our discussion for the module.
Book Review – 50 points
You will read a book related to international health (the book list follows). You will
then complete a book review (which is different than a book report) where you will
summarize the work and then critique it using the material we have covered in class.
Book Selection
Strength in What Remains—Tracy Kidder
Mountains Beyond Mountains – Tracy Kidder
Three Cups of Tea—Greg Mortensen
Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China – Jung Chang
This is Soul—Marilyn Berger
The Hospital By the River—Catherine Hamlin
On that day everybody ate—Margaret Trost
The boy who harnessed the wind—William Kamkwamba
Half the sky—Nicholas Kristof
The spirit catches you and you fall down—Anne Fadiman
Interviews – 20 points
You will complete an interview with someone from another country. This interview
will be based on an interview form, but you can take the questioning in a number of
different ways. You will then complete a news article type report to turn in. This will
accompany the culture section of the course
Empowerment – 20 points
Doing good starts with helping people to help themselves. Bank credit is nearly
impossible for poor people to obtain in most countries. However, microcredit is
allowing many people to accomplish their dreams. You will go to Kiva.org and find
one project you would be willing to fund. You will them bring the information to
class and share what you found with your peers.
Food item- 30 points
You will prepare a food item from an assigned country. You will then bring the food
to class for an international tasting day.
Aid agency presentation – 20 points
Many organizations conduct international aid. You will be assigned an agency and
conduct a presentation to tell the class about what they do.
Case studies- 20 points each
You will conduct a number of case studies throughout the course relevant to different
topics we cover.
Course Modules
1. Introduction
2. Travelers health
3. Measuring disease
4. Human rights
5. Culture
6. Health Care systems
7. Women, Infants and Children
8. Nutrition
9. Communicable disease
10. Disasters
11. Agencies in international health
12. LDS humanitarian aid