Time Schedule:
Joel M Ngugi
SOC W 598
Seattle Campus
Integrates specialized knowledge in social work settings. Offered: AWSp.
Class description
This course is an interdisciplinary approach to understanding the complexities inherent in efforts to simultaneously improve health and human rights in the context of the unique economic, social, political and cultural transformations (and upheavals) occurring in the Greater Horn of Africa. It will examine the multiplicity of social, economic, cultural, legal, and political factors which affect the health and well-being of individuals and societies, and interrogate working models of approaches to favorably alter them.
Student learning goals
Students will learn the history of the human rights movement, and the efforts to articulate a “right to development” as part of that history and be able to describe the inter-relationships between health, human rights, socio-economic development, and social justice.
Students will learn to identify the key principles articulated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Treaties on Human Rights related to health and human rights.
Students will learn to analyze and discuss the inter-sectionality of the cultural, economic, social, political, ethical, ecological, and legal challenges that face the goal of ensuring the attainment of the highest possible standards of health to individuals in the Greater Horn of Africa.
Students will learn the various cycles of development interventions in the various countries in the Greater Horn of Africa, and their impact on health.
Students will acquire skills in critical analysis of complex beliefs, values, legal, ethical and pragmatic principles to difficult and controversial issues at the heart of health outcomes in the contexts of justice, poverty, and knowledge
Students will learn to identify strategies for effective social transformation based on accurate understanding of the challenges of achieving social justice and an inter-disciplinary approach to designing a program for action.
General method of instruction
Class time will include presentations by faculty and invited lecturers with an opportunity for student response and discussion. Students and faculty will explore the opportunities and challenges of viewing health related issues from the perspectives of each discipline. The primary goal of the course is to train the students to think of the challenges of “development” and social transformation in an inter-disciplinary manner; as complex societal problems for which there is no structural recipe such as a “rule of law” infusion or introduction of a “correct” model of health policy making. We will rely on a lot of Guided discussions to learn the materials.
Recommended preparation
A general interest in human rights, public health, international development, or African Studies will be sufficient.
Class assignments and grading
The key responsibilities of the students will be four-fold: 1. To read the assigned materials before the class and to come to class prepared to have thoughtful discussions based on the materials; 2. To sit for the Mid-Term exam (for undergraduate students); 3. Write a final paper whose instructions will be given in class; and 4. Participate in a group project to be assigned in class.
The final grade will be based upon a mid-term exam (for undergraduate students), class participation, and a final paper (or Research Paper Option for Graduate Students). Please consult the course syllabus for more information.
