220.610.01
Power and Practice in Global Health: Theories, Perspectives, and Action in “Decolonization”

Location
East Baltimore
Term
3rd Term
Department
International Health
Credit(s)
2
Academic Year
2024 - 2025
Instruction Method
In-person
Class Time(s)
Wednesday, 9:00 - 10:50am
Auditors Allowed
Yes, with instructor consent
Available to Undergraduate
No
Grading Restriction
Letter Grade or Pass/Fail
Course Instructor(s)
Bareng Nonyane
Emma Sacks
Contact Name
Bareng Nonyane
Frequency Schedule
Every Year
Description
Provides the theoretical frameworks and tools for the decolonization of global health, a forum to engage with faculty and scholars on the history and coloniality of global health, and the opportunity to learn from the experiences of activists and practitioners in order to move toward the “decolonization” of global health. Asks participants to challenge the dominant narratives in global health through discussion of the history and practice of the field, self-reflection of individual and institutional power, and possibilities for action, as well as imagine what “decolonizing” global health could look like through the development and execution of change-making action. Recognizes that decolonization must involve actions that change longstanding practices in global health, and that a discussion series such as this may serve only as a contribution towards further action.
Learning Objectives
Upon successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
  1. Explain decolonial theory and how it can be used to analyze global health, as an academy and industry
  2. Interrogate the use and misuse of the term “decolonization” and how its cooptation can further harm oppressed and colonized people
  3. Critique the current literature on “decolonial global health” in order to critique, contribute, and move beyond the current corpus of work, while acknowledging work of anti-colonial scholars and activists in global health
  4. Reflect and examine the ways in which scholars and activists are both complicit and are actively resisting harmful practices in global health, while also understanding of some of the experiences of global health practitioners
  5. Generate dialogue with faculty or other global health scholars on ways to move toward the “decolonization” of global health, including ways to improve current individual and institutional practices and center the experiences of oppressed and colonized people
Methods of Assessment
This course is evaluated as follows:
  • 25% Participation
  • 25% Discussion
  • 25% Reflection
  • 25% Project(s)
Instructor Consent
No consent required
Special Comments

This is a synchronously taught course with group work and discussions, so attendance and participation is required.