INTHE4000 - Theoretical Foundation
Course content
This course focuses on defined areas related to health. The emphasis is on identifying problems, developing strategies and programs in international community health.
The areas of the course are divided into three course modules:
Module 1:
-Child Health
-Non-Communicable Diseases
-Community Nutrition
Module 2:
-Ageing and Disability
-Human and Microbial Ecology
-Medicines in a global society
Module 3:
-Reproductive Health
-HIV/AIDS
Learning outcome
Module 1: Child Health, Non-Communicable Diseases and Community Nutrition
Child health aims to give an introduction to topics that are of special relevance to the children's health. Children are the most vulnerable members of our communities, due to their dependence on adults and to their special needs relating to rapid growth and development. Non-communicable diseases are of increasing siginficance globally, not only to the Western world's populations. Awareness of the global challenges these diseases present is important when working in international community health. Community nutrition is covered in a seminar that focuses on nutrition and life-style changes at the community level.
Module 2: Ageing and Disability, Human and Microbial Ecology and Medicines in a global society
Ageing and disability aims to give an introduction to the socio-economic and medical changes leading to and resulting from an increasingly elderly population. Living conditions for people with disabilities is an important part of this course component. Human and microbial ecology aims to create an understanding of pathogenicity, virulence, and the impact of interacting microbes in ecological niches. Medicines in a global society presents an introduction to the role of pharmaceuticals in health care. It covers socio-economic factors that influence drug use and issues of regulation in policy planning.
Module 3: Reproductive health, HIV and AIDS
The Reproductive health component aims a)to give an introduction to biological and social factors that contribute to gender differences in health, b) to explain underlying principles of in the shift from population control to reproductive health in international policy, and c) to create an understanding of central concepts and issues in the field. HIV and AIDS aims to familiarize students with central issues relevant to HIV and AIDS.
Admission
Students outside the MPhil programme in International Community Health may apply for attending the course. It is not possible to register for the course through Studentweb without first contacting the programme coordinator, due to limited teaching capacity. Only students who plan to take all three modules will be admitted.
Prerequisites
Formal prerequisite knowledge
No obligatory prerequisites beyond the minimum requirements for entrance to higher education in Norway.
Teaching
Teaching takes place throughout the semester, with exams following the end of each module. The exam following each module may be either a home examination, oral exam, or school exam. At the start of each module the students will be told what kind of exam they can expect at the end of the module.
Examination
Language of examination
English
Special examination arrangements
If you have a disability or a health problem that entails significant inconvenience in an examination situation, you may be considered for special examination arrangements. Mothers who are breastfeeding may apply for extra time to complete the exam.