Global Health and Humanitarianism from Coursera

Welcome to the Global Health and Humanitarianism MOOC. We are delighted to have you with us, and hope that the next six weeks will provide an interesting and thoughtful experience for you.

We hope the course will give you an overview of global health and humanitarianism in theory and in practice. These fields overlap, and are connected, in many significant ways. However, we have used three key themes to explore our subjects: each key theme will be discussed over two week blocks by specialist course lecturers, and supported by unique video perspectives by three keynote speakers who are leading specialists in the field.

- Weeks 1 & 2: An Introduction to Global Health Dr Amy Hughes MBE;

- Weeks 3 & 4: Humanitarian Responses and Dilemmas Dr Tim Jacoby;

- Weeks 5 & 6: The Right to Humanitarian Assistance and the Responsibility to Protect Dr Kirsten Howarth.

To get the best out of the course we encourage you to try and set aside a few hours each week. This will give you time to work through videos, written materials and linked resources, and to get involved with discussion with other learners. We have provided a variety of different readings, resources and suggested activity based on the course content. Some will be essential to your understanding of the MOOC themes, and to assessment (if you have chosen to take part in assessment activity). Others will be for those of you who want to discover more about a particular subject or perspective, or to make your own study of global health or humanitarianism in action. Check through the weekly resources and content to find out which best suit your needs.

During the course we will look at a range of different opinions and debates, linked to key themes and addressing ethics and moral issues. We hope you will be inspired and encouraged to explore and share your own perspectives, and those of others, throughout the course. Different viewpoints are essential to understanding global health and humanitarian practice.

We hope you enjoy the next six weeks finding out about Global Health and Humanitarianism, and look forward to hearing from you on the discussion boards.

What's inside

Syllabus

What is Global Health?

These first two weeks will introduce you to the concept of global health through a range of perspectives from three keynote speakers, draw out some of their key thoughts, explore these with examples, and determine whether we can clearly conclude upon a definition of Global Health. We will be using various educational platforms to navigate the question 'What is Global Health?' - some short video narrations from me, expert thoughts from our three keynote speakers and some external documentary videos and articles.

Global Health definitions, case studies and evolution

We will first re-visit part of last week's keynote video and discuss their thoughts on what global health is, and bring particular focus to the origin and evolution of the term, the main organisations and agencies involved in global health and the influence of private and commercial organisations on global health.

Humanitarian Response

This week we will consider what gives rise to a humanitarian emergency. We will look at different types of hazard, and how these combine with vulnerability to give rise to a disaster. We will then go on to think about how responses to such phenomena are organised: Who undertakes these? What phases do they go through?

Humanitarian Dilemmas

Last week we looked at the nature of 'disasters' and examined a possible set of humanitarian responses to disaster. We concluded by considering the problem of mitigation, leading us to complex ethical questions that make the main focus of the course this week. In particular we will look at the way humanitarian agencies bear witness to the actions of others, and the problem, or requirement, of holding people accountable for these actions.

The Right to Humanitarian Assistance

In the previous weeks of this course, you learned about the origins, key agencies and different approaches of humanitarianism. As the world becomes more interconnected as a result of globalisation, increased migration and technology, disasters (both natural and man-made) are no longer of local but global concern. The right to assistance for those affected by armed conflict and natural disasters is at the forefront of humanitarian action.

Responsibility to Protect (R2P)

Moving on from last week, where we examined the right to humanitarian assistance and the obstacles and challenges surrounding its practice, this week we explore another controversial issue within humanitarianism: the responsibility to protect, or more commonly known as R2P.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Examines the ethical questions surrounding humanitarian response, which is critical for those pursuing humanitarian work

Taught by world-renowned specialists in global health and humanitarianism, providing learners with access to the latest knowledge and insights

Provides an overview of global health and humanitarianism, making it relevant for anyone interested in these fields

Engages learners with videos, readings, and discussions, enhancing the learning experience

Reviews summary

Respected humanitarian health education

According to students, the Global Health and Humanitarian course provokes independent thinking and discussion. It covers key topics in its vast and informative curriculum that includes experienced-based lectures, readings, and additional educational resources. While a few outdated links have been reported, learners largely appreciate the knowledgeable speakers and engaging assignments.

Learners are impressed by this course.

"I would like to thank all my tutors for their time and knowledge for this insightful course."

"I was really impressed by this course."

Taught by knowledgeable speakers.

"The course is informative, experienced-based and practical."

"I enjoyed the lectures and other links from the teaching faculties"

Some links are broken.

"The links in quite a few of the modules are broken - these should be fixed."

"This course has obviously not been updated in nearly 10 years, and the majority of the links to articles and readings are broken."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Global Health and Humanitarianism with these activities:

Review Basic Medical Terminology

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Brush up on basic medical terminology to enhance your understanding of global health concepts and issues.

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Use online resources or textbooks to review common medical terms and their meanings.
Practice using medical terminology in context, such as through case studies or simulations.

Organize Relevant Materials

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Start by gathering notes, quizzes, assignments, and exams in one place.

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Collect study materials from your online course platform, textbooks, and any other sources you have been using.
Create a system for organizing the materials, such as by topic, week, or type of material.
Review the materials regularly to keep your understanding fresh.

Review: 'The Health Gap'

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This book provides insights into the social determinants of health and health inequalities around the world.

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Read the book, taking notes on key concepts and arguments.
Identify how the book's content relates to the course material and global health issues.
Discuss the book's findings with classmates or instructors to deepen your understanding.

Four other activities

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Engage in Peer Discussions

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Connect with classmates through online discussion forums or study groups to share insights and perspectives.

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Join or create a study group with other learners taking the same course.
Regularly participate in online discussions, asking questions, responding to others, and sharing your own thoughts.
Collaborate on projects or assignments together, leveraging each other's strengths and perspectives.

Host a Virtual Study Session

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Take an active role in facilitating learning by hosting a virtual study session for classmates.

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Identify a topic or concept that you are comfortable explaining.
Prepare materials and resources to support your session.
Invite classmates to join your virtual study session.
Lead the session, guiding discussions and answering questions.

Create a Summary Presentation

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Develop a comprehensive presentation that summarizes key concepts, theories, and case studies covered in the course.

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Review the course materials and identify the main topics and learning objectives.
Organize your presentation logically, using a combination of text, images, and examples.
Practice delivering your presentation to ensure clarity and engagement.
Share your presentation with classmates or instructors for feedback and discussion.

Apply Your Knowledge through Volunteering

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Gain practical experience by volunteering with organizations involved in global health or humanitarian work.

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Research and identify organizations that align with your interests and skills.
Reach out to the organizations and express your interest in volunteering.
Attend training or orientation programs to prepare for your volunteer role.
Actively participate in volunteer activities, applying the knowledge and skills gained in the course.

Career center

Learners who complete Global Health and Humanitarianism will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Humanitarian Aid Worker

Humanitarian Aid Workers play a vital role in responding to emergencies and providing assistance to those in need. This course provides an overview of global health and humanitarianism, which would be beneficial for anyone interested in a career in this field. The course covers topics such as the history of humanitarianism, the different types of humanitarian aid, and the challenges of working in humanitarian settings. This knowledge would be invaluable for anyone looking to work in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Humanitarian Aid Worker

Global Health Policy Analyst

Global Health Policy Analysts develop and implement policies to improve health outcomes in developing countries. This course provides an overview of global health and humanitarianism, which would be beneficial for anyone interested in a career in this field. The course covers topics such as the social determinants of health, the different types of health systems, and the challenges of working in global health. This knowledge would be invaluable for anyone looking to work in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Global Health Policy Analyst

Public Health Nurse

Public Health Nurses work to improve the health of communities by providing preventive care and education. This course provides an overview of global health and humanitarianism, which would be beneficial for anyone interested in a career in this field. The course covers topics such as the social determinants of health, the different types of health systems, and the challenges of working in public health. This knowledge would be invaluable for anyone looking to work in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Health Nurse

International Development Officer

International Development Officers work to improve the lives of people in developing countries. This course provides an overview of global health and humanitarianism, which would be beneficial for anyone interested in a career in this field. The course covers topics such as the social determinants of health, the different types of development interventions, and the challenges of working in developing countries. This knowledge would be invaluable for anyone looking to work in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for International Development Officer

Health Economist

Health Economists use economic principles to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of health care systems. This course provides an overview of global health and humanitarianism, which would be beneficial for anyone interested in a career in this field. The course covers topics such as the economics of health care, the different types of health insurance, and the challenges of working in health economics. This knowledge would be invaluable for anyone looking to work in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Economist

NGO Manager

NGO Managers oversee the operations of non-governmental organizations. This course provides an overview of global health and humanitarianism, which would be beneficial for anyone interested in a career in this field. The course covers topics such as the different types of NGOs, the challenges of working in the NGO sector, and the role of NGOs in global health. This knowledge would be invaluable for anyone looking to work in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for NGO Manager

Health Policy Advisor

Health Policy Advisors develop and implement policies to improve health outcomes. This course provides an overview of global health and humanitarianism, which would be beneficial for anyone interested in a career in this field. The course covers topics such as the different types of health policies, the challenges of working in health policy, and the role of health policy advisors in global health. This knowledge would be invaluable for anyone looking to work in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Policy Advisor

Epidemiologist

Epidemiologists investigate the causes of disease and develop strategies to prevent and control them. This course provides an overview of global health and humanitarianism, which would be beneficial for anyone interested in a career in this field. The course covers topics such as the different types of epidemiological studies, the challenges of working in epidemiology, and the role of epidemiologists in global health. This knowledge would be invaluable for anyone looking to work in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Epidemiologist

Health Care Administrator

Health Care Administrators oversee the operations of health care organizations. This course provides an overview of global health and humanitarianism, which would be beneficial for anyone interested in a career in this field. The course covers topics such as the different types of health care organizations, the challenges of working in health care administration, and the role of health care administrators in global health. This knowledge would be invaluable for anyone looking to work in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Care Administrator

Physician

Physicians diagnose and treat diseases and injuries. This course provides an overview of global health and humanitarianism, which may be helpful for someone interested in working with underserved populations. The course covers such topics as health disparities and social determinants of health, which can help physicians understand the challenges faced by these populations. Additionally, the course covers humanitarian emergencies, which may be helpful for physicians who wish to work in disaster relief.

See salaries and explore the career path for Physician