Urban Health in Developing Countries 



 
 November 22, 2009

 
Course Syllabus

Course Description | Core Objectives | Expectations and Evaluation | Grading Scheme | Recommended Readings | Contact Information | Help | Ethical Conduct


 

Course Description

Explores the emerging public health issues associated with rapid growth of urban population in developing countries, with a particular focus on the urban poor. Includes urban demography, epidemiology, changes in urban physical and social environment and their consequences for health, nutritional issues, the inadequacy of conventional health services, and the design and implementation of a coordinated and cost-effective health care system. Introduces these concepts and presents case studies for analysis. Emphasizes sensitizing and capacity-building by exposing public health professionals and researchers to the unique urban health problems of developing countries.


Core Objectives

  1. To identify the key issues associated with rapid growth of urban population in developing countries.
  2. To critically analyze some of these issues and their implications for public health.
  3. To examine methods to deal with the emerging and complex issues of urban health in developing countries by reviewing successful case studies.
  4. To critically analyze the successes and weaknesses of each case study, the lessons learned from them, and learn to apply the lessons.

Expectations and Evaluation

This course is designed for students who expect to participate in urban health programs and research. 

Course evaluation will be based on the following (110 possible total points): 

  • Problem Solving Worksheet: 75 points total (15 points on each of 5 steps)
  • Quizzes: 20 points total (10 points each on 2 quizzes)
  • BBS Exercise: 15 points total

Grading Scheme

Final grades:

  • A = 99-110
  • B = 88-98
  • C = 77-87

Grades are based on performance on all assignments as outlined on the Course Content page.

Late policy: We recognize that people will experience personal, work-related, or other problems that make it difficult to submit lab assignments and quizzes on time. If you experience such problems, please notify us BEFORE the deadline for a particular assignment and give us a reasonable estimated submission date. Late assignments without such notification will be docked 1 point for each day late. We can arrange for quizzes to be taken early. The maximum extension we can give for taking a quiz late is three (3) days due to the fact that we cannot discuss answers with students until all quizzes are complete.


Recommended Readings

The course will not follow any textbook. The recommended reading materials are available in the Online Library.

  

Contact Information

Instructors:

Abdullah Baqui, DrPH, MPH, MBBS
Department of International Health
Bloomberg School of Public Health
615 N. Wolfe St., Room E8138
Baltimore, MD 21205
Office phone: 410-955-3850

Bill Brieger, DrPH, MPH, CHES
Community Health and Health Systems
Department of International Health
Bloomberg School of Public Health
615 N. Wolfe St., Room E8141
Baltimore, MD 21205
Office phone: 443-287-4042
Cell phone: 443-850-4815

Guest Speakers:

Adnan Hyder, Department of International Health, JHSPH
William Moss, Department of Epidemiology, JHSPH
Marilyn Rice, PAHO/WHO 
Siddharth Agarwal, UHRC, India

Teaching Assistant:

Zohra Balsara

Important:

  • If you have questions pertaining to your labs and quizzes, send an email directly to the teaching assistants and the instructor. Please do not post personal questions on the BBS.

  • Use the BBS for general questions about assignments that may also be interesting and helpful to other class members.

  • If you have problems with technical aspects of the Web site, contact DEHelp. You may copy the course instructors and TA to let us know your issues, but we do not have access to the inner workings of the Web site and cannot correct problems.


Help

Concerns
Contact
Concerns about course topics and assignments
Technical concerns about the functionality and operation of course Web pages (before emailing, please make sure that you can replicate the problem)
  • DEHelp, the central help system for all tech support inquiries related to DED courses
Technical help on weekends
  • JHSPH User Support: 410-955-3781
Concerns about your Internet connection
  • Your Internet service provider (e.g., AT&T, Erols, etc.)
Concerns about your personal software
  • Your software vendor


Ethical Conduct

The academic ethics code, as discussed in the Policy and Procedure Memorandum for Students, March 31, 2002, will be adhered to in this class.


Disability Support Services

If you are a student with a documented disability who requires an academic accommodation, please contact Betty H. Addison in the Office of Career Services and Disability Support: dss@jhsph.edu, 410-955-3034, or Room E-1140.

 

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