STUDY ABROAD: PUBLIC HEALTH STUDIES:

PROGRAM IN SOUTH AFRICA

PROGRAM DATES

June 4 - July 23, 2012

APPLICATION

Download Application

Application Deadline: *Extended to March 9

ELIGIBILITY

3.0 GPA; Some background in Public Health is preferred.

COURSE INFORMATION

Instructor: Lisa Folda

Public Health in South Africa

HA 280.325.31 (3 Credits)

In this 3 credit course, students will receive a contextualized overview of public health in South Africa, including biological, behavioral, social, cultural, economic and political contributors. The course will dig in to causes of the twin epidemics of HIV and TB, and will also consider all of these factors as they relate to health care delivery in the country – urban, rural, and migrant areas included. The course will consider both impacts and responses in terms of political and legal activism, social roles, religious and cultural institutions, and global aid and development, among other perspectives.

Cape Town Community Based Learning

HA 280.326.31 (3 Credits)

As a complement to “Public Health in South Africa”, each student will be placed with an established and respected Cape Town non-governmental organization a portion of three days a week. Through the lens of their own work and their counterparts’, the students will gain firsthand understanding of the challenges of health care delivery, research, and health promotion in an under-resourced environment. Students will participate in a bi-weekly seminar to include readings and reflection sessions that allows them to link their personal experience to the larger concepts covered in HA 280.325.

PROGRAM INFORMATION

• Cape Town is the home of the University of Cape Town, viewed as South Africa’s best, as well as numerous NGOs working in health.
• The program includes excursions to local points of interest like the District Six Museum, and the former Slave Lodge, as well as a weekend homestay. Optional weekend excursions will also be offered and arranged.
• Students will stay in a residence hall on the UCT campus in Rondebosch, and will be provided with the majority of their meals.
• Students who participate from the class of 2013 and later will receive credit for their Applied Experience.