Modules

Full-time

Teaching and learning is divided into four different areas: core knowledge (module 1), integrated analysis (module 2), operation (practice module), and optional modules.

Core knowledge module (1) introduces key approaches and methodologies for the study of urban health. The module focuses on public health, planning and health equity, on the political and institutional processes that enable public health interventions to address the social determinants of health, and will examine health as a site of power imbalance in the city. Key themes to this module are from: (i) Public Health: understanding the goals of public health—to improve health and eliminate health disparities;  understanding the methods used to measure the health of populations, find causes, and develop programs that work, introducing basic measurements of outcomes and risk factors used in public health and sources of data used in population health, social determinants of health, social epidemiology and population health and health Impact Assessment methodologies. (ii) Development Planning: including theories on Global South urbanism, Urban informality, Homelessness, urban and Infrastructure justice.

Integrated analysis module (2) introduces and develops analytical skills in order to critically evaluate and constructively develop strategies of intervention in the field of urban health. Based on the core functions of public health (assessment, policy development, and assurance) and how public health is organised at the local, state, national, and international level, this module focuses on three levels of analysis: policy level, spatial intervention level and community based initiatives level. The module will be based on comparative case study analysis, highlighting the necessity to develop interdisciplinary skills in the field of urban health with reference to the following issues: International humanitarian aid and health; The welfare state and the neoliberal shift; The right to health and the commodification of health; Spatial intervention in informal spaces; Community based health initiatives.

The practice module (3) focuses on the ways in which planning interventions are gradually acknowledged as important determinants of population health. Interventions in land use, housing, infrastructure, transportation, and public participation are central for our understanding of the ways in which health is shaped by urbanisation processes. This module integrates the students’ work into practice, identifying the leading urban health problems, including their causes and methods for prevention, analysing the advantages and limitations of the various types of population-based approaches to improve public health. A workshop focussing on research skills for conducting primary research on urban and public health and drawing on qualitative and quantitative methods will be included in Term 1. Based on core modules 1 and 2, this practice module will engage students in projects in a location in the Global South (Terms 2, 3) dealing with the effects of urbanisation on both physical and mental health. The module will translate the knowledge and methodologies into “real case” practice in collaboration with partner organisations and initiatives.

Similar to the all MSc programmes at the DPU, costs of the field trip are covered including: return flights, visas, travel insurance, accommodation and fees, and costs of local experts and inputs. However, food, local travel and incidental expenses of a personal nature will not be covered by the DPU.

You will also undertake an independent research project culminating in a dissertation. The dissertation is centred on a research project in an area of the programme. Conducting students’ own research will be supported by learning how to: search literature and plan a research project; use knowledge acquired in the programme to critically appraise work; and communicate and justify research results.

All compulsory modules are delivered in Term 1 and Term 2. The practice module is delivered in Terms 1 and 2 with an overseas practice engagement in Term 3 that is covered by the fees. The dissertation is undertaken in Term 3 with a final submission at the end of the summer term (early September).

Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Health in Urban Development.