Migration and health in a social, demographic and political context

The course is given as a part of the Mastersprogram in Public health science but can also be given as a free standing course
The course can be part of the following programme: 1) Master's Programme in Public Health Science (M2PHP)

Qualification for admission to the course requires professional degree/Bachelor's degree of at least 180 credits in a health science, social science, science, economics, arts or engineering field of education and grade Passed/E in English B/English 6.

The course will provide the students with a basic knowledge on fundamental concepts and global agreements around the rights of migrants, including their human right to health. Based on available research the course will look into bio-psycho-social mechanisms between the migration process and physical and mental health. The
course will acknowledge potential differences in these mechanisms based on the heterogenity among migrants based on for example social position (i.e. intersectionality) and discuss how potential interventions and policies could prevent disease and promote health in different groups of migrants, including the association between integration and health. Based on the extent of the area of migration and health the students will have the opportunity to chose a a specific setting (e.g. country, health outcome, group of migrants) for more in-depth learning in line with previous experience and/or current interest.

The Masters in Public Health Science is connected to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 (ensure healthy lives and wellbeing for all) as well as target 4.7, to ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development. MPH234 Migration and health in a social, demographic and political
context further addresses the call to leave no one behind defined as the core of the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development by the International Organization of Migration (IOM). According to the IOM, Migration and health is (above SDG 3 and 4.7) closely connected to several other SDGs including SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 5 (Gender equality), SDG 10 (inequalities between and within countries) and SDG 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions).

On successful completion of the course the student will be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

• Describe, key concepts, global agreements and frameworks concerning migration and rights of migrants, including the right to health.
• Explain how factors, before migration, during the migration journey and after arrival to a new host country (e.g. integration) relate to physical and mental health, in different groups of migrants.
• Describe the relevance of social, political and legal factors for attaining good health, for different groups of migrants.

Competence and skills

• Analyze potential barriers, on different levels, for addressing the health needs of migrants in a specified country/setting.
• Identify key actors and suggest adequate interventions and policies based on available scientific evidence

Judgement and approach

• Based on available research and perspectives from ethics, human rights, critically reflect on the health situation of migrants in a specified country/setting
• Reflect on the potential heterogeneity among migrant groups according to social position (e.g. gender, education, ethnicity,class) and how this knowledge may add
  in formulation of challenges, interventions and policies aimed at improving individual and public health.

The course is sustainability-focused, which means that at least one of the learning outcomes clearly shows that the course content meets at least one of the University of Gothenburg’s confirmed sustainability criteria. The content also constitutes the course's main focus.

The course adopts student centered learning focusing student activity and interaction, and includes mix of lectures, individual assignments, seminars and discussions grounded in research and real-world examples.

Language of instruction: Swedish and English

All teaching and teaching material will be in English but written assignments can be conducted in Swedish for free-standing students (not program students)

The course will be examined through:

• One individual written assignment, including a written report and presentation and
  peer-review at an examination seminar
• Two mandatory seminars

Absence from compulsory seminars will be compensated for by additional or extended written assignments according to instruction from the course leader.

The grading scale comprises: Pass with Distinction (VG), Pass (G) and Fail (U).
For the grade Pass with Distinction (VG) on the entire course, the grade VG is required for the individual assignment and the grade G for the two mandatory seminars.
For the grade Pass (G) on the entire course, at least the grade G is required for the individual assignment and the grade G for the two mandatory seminars.

The course evaluation is carried out in writing and orally with the students. The course leader is responsible for analyzing the evaluations and giving propositions for improvement. The analysis and propositions of development is shared with the students
through the program council and the learning platform.
The result and potential changes should be shared to both the students who carried out the evaluation and the students that are about to start the course

If a student who has been failed twice for the same examination element wishes to change examiner before the next examination session, such a request is to be granted unless there are specific reasons to the contrary (Chapter 6 Section 22 HF).

If a student has received a certificate of disability study support from the University of Gothenburg with a recommendation of adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment, an examiner may decide, if this is consistent with the course’s intended learning outcomes and provided that no unreasonable resources would be needed, to grant the student adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment.

If a course has been discontinued or undergone major changes, the student must be offered at least two examination sessions in addition to ordinary examination sessions. These sessions are to be spread over a period of at least one year but no more than two years after the course has been discontinued/changed. The same applies to placement and internship (VFU) except that this is restricted to only one further examination session.

If a student has been notified that they fulfil the requirements for being a student at Riksidrottsuniversitetet (RIU student), to combine elite sports activities with studies, the examiner is entitled to decide on adaptation of examinations if this is done in accordance with the Local Rules Regarding RIU Students at the University of Gothenburg.