Skip to content

Global Health Law

Course Number
CHL5705H
Series
5700 (Global Health)
Format
Lecture
Course Instructor(s)
Lisa Forman

Course Description

The course is organized into three modules: In module one, students are introduced to global health law and its emerging definitions and scope. They will consider the history of this field and key global health law institutions and actors. They will focus on the World Health Organization as a key global health law institution. They will consider critiques of international human rights law from various perspectives. In module two, students will explore key domains of global health law in relation to infectious disease, human rights, non-communicable disease, and trade and intellectual property rights. In module three, students will consider current and emerging challenges including: sustainable development and universal health coverage, climate change, humanitarian law, and the regulation of transnational corporations.

Course Objectives

This course aims to provide graduate students in health, law, and other disciplines with a basic understanding of the emerging area of global health law. Accordingly, by the end of this course students will:
• Understand how international law addresses global health
• Understand the key institutions, actors, and legal frameworks of global health law
• Learn to apply legal reasoning to global health case-studies
• Grapple with central questions in global health law regarding its efficacy, relevance, future, and scope

Methods of Assessment

Participation and Attendance 15%
Discussion Facilitation 10%
Roleplay Assignment 35%
Final Paper 40%
Optional Reflection Paper 5%

General Requirements

This course is limited to graduate students at the DLSPH and across the university. No prior coursework in law and/or global health is required. The sole prerequisite for effective participation in this course is close reading of the required readings for each session.