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ADVANCED QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH TECHNIQUES   

This course builds on POH 810 and focuses on: theoretical issues inherent in quantitative research, when to use quantitative techniques and types of quantitative techniques. It also deals with issues of validity, reliability and representativeness as well as design of research instruments, how to apply theoretical and conceptual frameworks, employ appropriate data collection and analysis techniques and writing of research reports.

Objective: The objective of the course is to:

  • Enhance the capacity of students to understand quantitative research processes
  • Strengthen the skills of students to conduct independent quantitative research.

 Mode of Delivery: The content will be delivered on through lectures, assigned data analysis, individual and group presentations.

Course Code: 
POH 903
No. of Credits: 
3
Level: 
Level 900
Course Semester: 
First Semester
Select Programme(s): 
Population and Health

THEORY BUILDING IN SOCIAL SCIENCES 

The nature and objectives of social sciences are discussed in this course. Other discussions focus on the strengths and weaknesses of positivist and hermeneutics traditions, functional dependency and statistical laws, building blocks and theory formulation. Sources of new theories, measurement models and their applications in the social sciences, objectivity and the question of value free social sciences, and feminist epistemology are also addressed. Discussions will also involve systems thinking and analysis, and logical, empirical and epistemological processes in theory formulation or construction in the social sciences. 

Objectives: The objectives of this course are to:

  • Develop the ability of students to appraise processes involved in theory building
  • Equip students with analytical skills in linking theoretical and empirical issues in social science research.

Mode of Delivery: The main modes of delivery are assigned readings, individual and group assignments and presentations in class.

Course Code: 
POH 902
No. of Credits: 
3
Level: 
Level 900
Course Semester: 
First Semester
Select Programme(s): 
Population and Health

PHILOSOPHY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

The course deals with Western, African and Asian philosophical thoughts which have shaped and have the potential to shape social science research and practice. It traces the development of various philosophical points of view about knowledge, sources of knowledge and schools of thought, knowledge generation and research. Among the issues to be discussed are: nature of science; theory of science; the scientific enterprise; theories of knowledge, ontology (the being of things) and methodology (ways of doing things); worldviews or cosmology and sources of knowledge. Focus will be placed on selected philosophers in Western thought such as St. Augustine, Plato, John S. Mill, John Locke, Hume, Kant, Berkley; and on Wiredu, Gyekye and Confucius. Schools of thought which have influenced social science research: e.g. positivism, phenomenology, hermeneutics, existentialism, feminist epistemology, epicurean thought, Marxist thought (socialism), cosmological and ontological arguments, justice; selected Eastern (Indo-Chinese) thought; and Africa cosmology of life; and ethics in research will be discussed.  Emphasis will be on implications of these thoughts for knowledge generation and for research.

Objectives: The objectives of this course are to:

  • Build the capacity of students to understand philosophical thoughts which have shaped social science research and practice;
  • Equip students with critical thinking and analytical skills in social science research; and
  • Develop the reasoning skills of students towards social science research.

 Mode of Delivery: The course will be delivered through assigned readings, individual and group assignments and presentations in class.

Course Code: 
POH 901
No. of Credits: 
3
Level: 
Level 900
Course Semester: 
First Semester
Select Programme(s): 
Population and Health

THESIS     

                                                                            

Students will present a thesis in their areas of research interest. The conditions as set out in the Academic Policies and Regulations for Graduate Studies apply.

Course Code: 
POH 899  
No. of Credits: 
3
Level: 
Level 800
Course Semester: 
Second Semester
Select Programme(s): 
Population and Health

Fieldwork

This course involves fieldwork and presentation of results based on a topic chosen by the students. The students are assessed both on their presentations in class and the report/assignment submitted.

Course Code: 
POH 897
No. of Credits: 
3
Level: 
Level 800
Course Semester: 
Second Semester
Select Programme(s): 
Population and Health

ADVANCED EPIDEMIOLOGY

The course builds on POH 807S (Social Epidemiology). The course focuses on the philosophical and the application of theoretical issues in epidemiology, application of knowledge in epidemiology as well as critical appraisal of scientific literature from a multidisciplinary perspective. Other areas will include outbreak investigation, making use of epidemiological data to draw appropriate conclusions, and social sciences methodology to understand background and proximal factors.

 Objective: The objectives of the course are to:

  • Build the capacity of students in philosophical and theoretical perspectives in epidemiology
  • Equip students with the knowledge and skills to analyze data in epidemiology.

 Mode of Delivery: The course is delivered through lectures, case studies analyses, individual and group presentations.

Course Code: 
POH 816S
No. of Credits: 
3
Level: 
Level 800
Course Semester: 
Second Semester
Select Programme(s): 
Population and Health

  GLOBAL HEALTH  

The course focuses on strategies for health improvement, reduction of health disparities as well as protection against global threats that cut across national boundaries. Issues to discuss will include global health and poverty, economic development, peace and security, communicable and non-communicable diseases, social and spatial dimensions of health and their impact on disparities in the burden of diseases, the impact of climate change on health, and risk factors.

 Objective: The aim of the course is to develop the capacity of students to:

  •  Understand concepts and perspectives on global health; and
  • Analyze social and spatial dimensions of health and their impact on disparities in the burden of diseases.

Mode of Delivery: The course is delivered through lectures, case studies analyses, individual and group presentations.

Course Code: 
POH 815S
No. of Credits: 
3
Level: 
Level 800
Course Semester: 
First Semester
Select Programme(s): 
Population and Health

URBAN HEALTH   

The course deals with public health issues associated with growth of urban population in developing countries as well as the emerging middle class populations. Emphasis will be on urban health problems of developing countries; health of slum areas, affluent areas, migrants/refugees, children, the aged, and populations at high risk (e.g. CSW, MSM, IDU). Changes in urban physical and social environment and their consequences for lifestyle risks and health, design and implementation of coordinated and cost-effective health care system will be examined. 

 Objective: The objectives of the course are to:

  • Build the capacity of students to appreciate concepts and theoretical perspectives on urban health
  • Appraise policies and programmes on urban health.

 Mode of Delivery: The course is delivered through lectures, case studies analyses, individual and group presentations.

Course Code: 
POH 814S
No. of Credits: 
3
Level: 
Level 800
Course Semester: 
Second Semester
Select Programme(s): 
Population and Health

MIGRATION AND HEALTH  

This course covers some concepts and theoretical perspectives on the relationships between migration and health in both the past and contemporary era. It examines both communicable and non-communicable health issues among both voluntary and involuntary migrants, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa but some examples will be drawn from developed countries as well to expose students to the global context. The implications of migrants’ health to both places of origin and destination will be examined. It also situates migration and health within the context of the Sustainable Development Goals. Relevant case studies will be emphasized on to enhance students’ understanding of the synergies between migration and health.

Objective: The course will build the capacity of students to:

  • Understand the relationships between migration and health in both the past and contemporary; and
  • Analyse the implications of migrants’ health to the socio-economic development of both places of origin and destination.

Mode of Delivery: The mode of delivery will be lectures, individual and group presentations.

Course Code: 
POH 813S
No. of Credits: 
3
Level: 
Level 800
Course Semester: 
First Semester
Select Programme(s): 
Population and Health

CONTEMPORARY HEALTH ISSUES IN AFRICA

The course examines contemporary issues in current challenges in health, aspects of health transition in the context of the emergence of new and the re-emergence of old infections; issues of endemicity and the spread of diseases; emergence of diseases associated with life styles; management of health; financing of health care; challenges of health for an ageing population; the roles of national and multinational institutions (e.g. World Health Organization (WHO)) and international NGOs in health.

Objective: The aim of the course is to develop the capacity of students to:

  • Analyse contemporary  health issues in both Ghana and Africa
  • Interpret and discuss population and health issues in both Ghana and Africa

Mode of Delivery:This course is delivered through lectures, presentations and group discussions.

Course Code: 
POH 812S
No. of Credits: 
3
Level: 
Level 800
Course Semester: 
Second Semester
Select Programme(s): 
Population and Health

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