Society, justice and health: A student-initiated course

What does health justice require? Does it require economic equality? Does it require extensive social connectedness? Does it require more citizen participation in the political process? Does it even require a certain type of citizen – informed and morally engaged? To answer these questions one needs to examine literature concerning economic development, democratic theory, the social determinants of population health, and philosophical literature on population health ethics. This graduate student-led, faculty advised reading group will approach this complex task with the help of insights gained in core MPH courses, supplementary coursework in graduate microeconomics, and an interdisciplinary course reading list of significant breadth. A close inspection of syllabi of other graduate courses with similar objectives reveals several recurrent themes. Some seek more disciplinary depth, often through greater engagement with primary source material in political philosophy. Others strive for less depth and a broader scope, perhaps including bioethical issues. A small contingent stresses service learning, usually at the expense of a critical examination of the moral underpinnings of this collective action. In contrast, this course aims for a broad survey of political philosophy and the social sciences, especially economics, while using praxis as an essential learning tool. As we analyze historical and current accounts of policy agenda setting, institutional reform, and social action we will seek constant engagement with an overarching question of what is the role of global health professionals in implementing health justice.