Objectives
The optional module "Peace, Health and Medical Work" (PHMW) is aimed at students who are interested in health-related peace and conflict work. It focuses on positive and negative approaches to peace, provides theoretical and analytical tools for comprehending the basic mechanisms of medical peace work, and it introduces necessary skills, knowledge and values. The module's main objective is to create awareness about the potential role of health professionals in violence prevention and sustainable peace building.
Content
The students will learn about different threats to peace and human security (such as proliferation of arms and unequal access to healthcare), and the various ways in which health professionals can act to counter such threats. It will deal with the impacts of humanitarian aid and development assistance on conflict, and the peace building capacity of health professionals when working either in Norway or in violent-prone settings abroad.
The thematic module structure is visualized with the different topics along the circle of medical peace work. (See picture to the right!)
Level of course/Year of study
Eligible applicants are students with a completed Bachelor's degree or similar level (more than three years of higher education) in medicine, health or social sciences.
Language
English
Form of teaching
This autumn elective will encompass 6,5 weeks work load for the student. It includes:
- four weeks of reading, self-study and online tests (multiple choice questions)
- one intensive teaching week, totalling 45 contact hours (seminar style lectures, group workshops, experiential exercises, and a film screening)
- a ten-day home exam
Exam and assessment
In the home exam, you will write an essay and reply to five questions. The exam is graded as pass or fail.
Accreditation
10 credits (ECTS) on Master’s level upon completing the compulsory reading, participating in the teaching week, and passing the home exam.
Recommended reading/syllabus
The reading includes about 1000 pages. Half of these can be accessed in the web-based interactive teaching package “Medical Peace Work” (textbook, e-cases, and questions); another 500 pages have to be selected from a list of relevant articles and book chapters. The recommended reading will be announced at the module’s homepage.
Homepage
http://phmw.wikidot.com
Entry at the course catalogue of the University of Tromsø: HEL-3011
