GLPH 487 One World, One Health: The Global Link Between Human, Animal, and Environmental Health

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Fall 2023 (Blended), Winter 2024 (Blended & Online), Summer 2024 (Online)

Year 4 Optional Course

9-10 hours/week

3 units

Available

On-Campus Course

Online Course

This course introduces One Health as an integrated, multi-disciplinary field that can be used to improve health and well-being for all – as the intersection of human, animal and environmental health - locally and globally.

A socio-cultural lens is used to examine the historical development of One Health, introduces a framework for One Health research and policy. This framework will be applied when discussing issues including illness and disease, emerging health risks, social determinants of health as well as the health impacts of the human animal bond.

The intersection of human interests with the environment and non-human animals such as wildlife, livestock, and companion animals will be discussed. In addition, One Health models for the use of animals in research will be introduced. Skills developed through this course include critical thinking, knowledge dissemination, communication, all contextualized within the One Health perspective.

Prerequisites

Minimum 4th year (Level 4) standing, or permission from the instructor.

Method of Delivery

The course will be taught using either fully online or blended teaching strategies. In both delivery formats, students will need to work effectively in groups, using online modules, to complete the group and individual assignments. All graded assessments need to be submitted via the indicated Learning Management System (LMS). (Please note – students ae not permitted to do their own recordings of the modules, talks or other discussions).

Learning Tracks

Global and Population Health

Learning Outcomes

After completing GLPH 487, students will have engaged in knowledge dissemination using blogs, analytical and reflective written work and presentations and will be able to:

Apply One Health related concepts to explain how they might help or hinder the health of humans, non-human animals and the environment globally
Identify ethical concerns associated with the One Health framework including those involving the social determinants of health and inequities. Analyze and communicate how these ethical concerns impact human health and whether they are different depending on geography, culture, or social determinants of health (SDoH)
Analyze the impact of human activity including factory farming, wild caught meat (bush meat) on the environment as well as on the association with diseases including viruses
Examine special topics in One Health to determine their impact on humans, the environment and non-human animals globally, critically analyzing business/capitalist drivers behind the perpetuation of activities and industries that are detrimental to One Health goals.
Critically analyze One Health tools and techniques to evaluate uses, strengths and risks associated with One Health strategies in both standard and emerging situations

Assessments

Weekly reflections - 24%

Each week you will respond to the readings in written form, based on a question given you by the instructor. In your reflection you will demonstrate that you have read the readings, and understood the author’s argument, and articulate your own informed opinions (reference peer reviewed journal articles to support your arguments) on issue(s) raised by discussing the readings’ conceptual and/or practical implications.

Quizzes - 12%

There will be two ‘quizzes’ during the term. Each quiz will have three questions (one for each module) that you will have to answer (max. 600 words) using course concepts and readings, as well as external peer reviewed sources. You will be given 24 hours from the beginning of the Quiz until it closes. These are individual assessments, and you are not permitted to collaborate on your responses.

Participation - 19%

As an individual and in groups (via peer assessment). This is a seminar course and therefore it is expected that you will participate by engaging in meaningful discussions with the class and your group members (online: using email and in the discussion forums on OnQ; on campus: in person communication) based on your thoughtful reading and critical analysis of course content. Part of this will be developing questions for other groups and responding to the questions posed by other groups. You will also do a peer review of a One Health Proposal Report.

One Health Proposals - 15%

You will design your own One Health strategy identifying a specific issue and proposing a solution which is consistent with One Health principles discussed in the course or readings. The proposal will provide an introduction to the issue you are concerned about and outline your ‘solution’. During the subsequent sessions, you will be able to share your proposal with the class and get formative feedback from peers and the teaching team.

One Health Proposal Report - 30%

Your full project report provides an introduction that positions the issue within the One Health perspective and documents your proposed solution to address this issue. The discussion should include the anticipated long-term impacts of the acceptance and widespread implementation of your solution as well as positioning your proposal within the peer reviewed literature.

Time Commitment

Students can expect to spend approximately 10 hours a week in study, practice, and online activity for GLPH 487. This includes approximately 3 hours per week doing group assignments or preparing for a quiz, 3 hours per week participating in course learning modules/lectures, and 4 hours per week completing course readings and assignments.

Textbooks and Materials

Learning modules, course notes, and select readings will be made available as needed by the instructor.

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