STIA-445 Senior Seminar: Politics of International Health

Faculty:

Stone, Lesley

This class will explore the politics of international health. The world is becoming increasingly inter-related; trade relationships are becoming stronger and more intertwined, and travel between nations is fast and easy. The international movement of people and goods across national borders makes the emergence or re-emergence of infectious disease in one country of great importance to its region and the world community. Yet, traditional conceptions of state sovereignty can limit the ability of international organizations and foreign states to intervene.

Health threats can destabilize countries internally (for example, Stephen Lewis, the UN Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa, has stated that he “wouldn’t discount the possibility, ten to fifteen years down the road, of failed states” as a result of HIV/AIDS) and can strain international relations. States often have powerful political and economic incentives to hide emerging diseases or downplay their importance. On the other hand, providing international assistance for public health disasters can strengthen international institutions and diplomatic relationships, increase stability, and save lives. This class examines international and national structures, relationships, and mechanisms that influence global health.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites: None

Other academic years
There is information about this course number in other academic years:

• 2004-2005 Fall and Spring
• 2005-2006 Fall and Spring
• 2006-2007 Fall and Spring
• 2007-2008 Fall and Spring
• 2008-2009 Fall and Spring
• 2009-2010 Fall and Spring
• 2010-2011 Fall and Spring
• 2011-2012 Fall and Spring
• 2012-2013 Fall and Spring

More information
Look for this course in the schedule of classes.

The academic department web site for this program may provide other details about this course.