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The Politics of Contemporary Public Health Policy - POL00076H

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  • Department: Politics and International Relations
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: H
  • Academic year of delivery: 2024-25

Module summary

This module will introduce students to the politics of public health policymaking. It will survey several contemporary public health crises and explore how various institutions, actors, and ideas have shaped policymaking dynamics.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 2 2024-25

Module aims

This module will introduce students to the politics of public health policymaking. Through an analysis of global and domestic-level policymaking processes, along with in-depth case studies covering obesity, tobacco, alcohol, gambling, AIDS, and COVID-19, students will gain insights how different institutions, actors, and ideas affect the development of public health policies.

Module learning outcomes

Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of contemporary public health crises, especially efforts to address communicable and noncommunicable diseases (PLO1)

Identify the main institutional structures and processes associated with public health policymaking at both the global and domestic level (PLO1)

Independently apply relevant political science theories, frameworks and concepts to public health policymaking dynamics (PLO2)

Draw on public health literature and information to develop evidence-informed policy recommendations for tackling problems in public health (PLO4)

Communicate complex ideas regarding contemporary public health crises to a range of audiences. (PLO5)

Module content

The module should complement earlier modules on Introduction to Comparative Politics and Policy Lab (Year 1).

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 30
Essay/coursework 70

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 30
Essay/coursework 70

Module feedback

Students will receive written timely feedback on their formative assessment. They will also have the opportunity to discuss their feedback during the module tutor’s feedback and guidance hours.

Students will receive written feedback on their summative assessment no later than 25 working days; and the module tutor will hold a specific session to discuss feedback, which students can also opt to attend. They will also have the opportunity to discuss their feedback during the module tutor’s regular feedback and guidance hours.

Indicative reading

Fafard, P., Cassola, A., de Leeuw, E. eds. 2022. Integrating Science and Politics for Public Health. London: Palgrave Macmillan.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.