School of Health Policy and Management

Faculty of Health
York University

Course Title:

Foundations of Health Studies I

Course Code:

HH/HLST 1010 3.0

Term:

Fall 2015

Class Time:

Mondays, 2:30 4:30 PM

Location:

Lassonde Building, Hall "A"

Instructor:

Professor Dennis Raphael

Office:

HNES 418

Tel:

416 736 2100 extension 22134

Email:

draphael@yorku.ca

Office hours:

Mondays, 10 am - 1 pm; Tuesdays, 10-11:20 or by

appointment

Tutorial Groups and Location:

Tutorial

Day

TA

Tutorial 01

Monday

Raphael, Dennis

Time

4:30-5:30

Venue

R S123

4:30-5:30
Tutorial 02

Monday

Naidoo, Vishaya

R S105
4:30-5:30

Tutorial 03

Monday

Usifoh, Steve

R S128

4:30-5:30
Tutorial 04

Monday

Joseph, Abraham

Tutorial 05

Monday

Sayani, Ambreen

Tutorial 06

Monday

Romero Lopez, Mirna

Tutorial 07

Monday

Shnier, Adrienne

Tutorial 08

Monday

Purcell, JoAnn

Tutorial 09

Monday

Ali, Farihah

Tutorial 10

Monday

Soltan, Aurelia

Tutorial 11

Monday

John, Victoria

Tutorial 12

Monday

Romero Lopez, Mirna

Tutorial 13

Monday

Shnier, Adrienne

TEL 0013
4:30-5:30
R S537
4:30-5:30
VH 3003
4:30-5:30
ACE 007

5:30-6:30

R S105

5:30-6:30
R S128
5:30-6:30
TEL 0013
5:30-6:30
R S537
5:30-6:30
VH 3003
5:30-6:30
ACE 007
4:30-5:30
Tutorial 14

Monday

Di Pierdomenico, Kaitlin

TEL 0015
4:30-5:30

Tutorial 15

Monday

Murzalieva, Gulgun

SC 205

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Course Description:

An inter- and multidisciplinary introduction to the issues underlying

Canadas health care system. Examines the social, cultural, economic and
political influences on concepts, values and structures of Canadas health
care system.

Prerequisites/Co-requisites: None

Course credit exclusion:

HLST 1000 6.0

COURSE LEARNING OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this course is to assist students in developing a critical overview of
the social, economic, and political forces shaping how health issues are considered in
Canada. Students will examine local, national and international issues and how these
shape the Canadian approach to health and health care. By identifying fundamental
principles/challenges facing Canadians, students will be able to articulate strategies
for change. A component of the course is an introduction to global health.

SPECIFIC LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1
2
3
4

To become able to identify and discuss current issues in maintaining

Canadians health and how these are related to policy development, health
services management, and health information management.
To learn how to synthesize research and information pertaining to a specific
national or global health issue.
To explore personal and public conceptualizations of health, illness and quality
healthcare.
To identify strategies for improving the health care system from the major
perspectives introduced in this course.

Text and Other Course Materials:

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Required Textbooks:
1. American Psychological Association (2010). Publication Manual of the APA:
Sixth Edition.
2. Bryant, T, Raphael, D., and Rioux, M. (2010). Staying Alive. Critical
Perspectives on Health, Illness and Health Care. Second edition. Toronto:
Canada Scholars Press Inc.
Supplemental required reading:
Forsey, E.A. (2007). How Canadians Govern Themselves. Ottawa: Government of
Canada (Available FREE on line at http://tinyurl.com/7q3m2gl)
The Moodle course website will host:
course outline
slides from the lectures that are usually available at least one day before
the lecture
any other material for the course (links to readings, multimedia )
any announcements about the course
You must have a York University email to receive messages about
this course.

Assessments/Evaluation:

(see below for full description)

Assessment

% of
total
grad
e

Total
Marks

Due Date

Date Grade
Returned to
Student

Weekly Summaries (10)

10%

10 of 100

Each of 10 weeks

Following week

Scholarly Discussion Paper

(draft)

10%

10 of 100

October 26

Following week

Scholarly Discussion Paper (final) 30%

30 of 100

November 23

Following week

20 of 100

December 7

Two weeks

Reflective Analysis Paper

20%

Refer to note 1
N/A
below
This course requirements and weights are final and will not to be modified
throughout the term.
Final Exam

30%

30 of 100

Note 1: The final exam will take place any time during the official final
examination period from December 9-23. It is your responsibility as a
student to ensure that you are available to sit for examinations during
the entire exam period for the term corresponding to your course. We
strongly recommend that you do not make any travel arrangements prior
to the end of the term's examination schedule.

Assignments must be printed and handed in during tutorials. If this is

not done a grade will not be awarded for that assignment.

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You will be expected to attach an Assignment Attachment Form to each

assignment and essay submitted (see the last page).
Students must review the interactive on-line Tutorial on academic integrity
and then take a self-test. The Academic Integrity Online test must be
completed and the results page submitted to the Course Director by
September 30.
A. 10 Short Summaries - Due For Each of Ten Classes
Summarize in 150 words in paragraph form the following: a) the key points from
the material; b) whether this material is consistent with what you believed prior to
taking this course; and c) your reaction to having read it. You do not need to
reference the content. Assignments are provided with Pass/Fail grading with each
paper worth one percentage point of the final grade. These must be typed and
handed in at the tutorial.
B. Scholarly Discussion Paper-draft version (5 pages) Due October 26
The purpose of this two stage assignment is to provide the individual student with
an opportunity to prepare a discussion paper which provides an overview of a
current key issue pertaining to one major health topic in Canada. DO NOT USE
QUOTATIONS. USE YOUR OWN WORDS TO PARAPHRASE WHAT YOU READ
WITH APPROPRIATE CITATIONS.
Students will have the opportunity to select a topic of interest and conduct a
limited literature search of the professional health literature pertaining to the
policy, management or informatics perspectives. You will also have the
opportunity to revise your paper based on instructor feedback in order to improve
your written literacy and analyses skills.
Instructions:
Choose one of the three issues below. If you have difficulty selecting a topic,
approach the professor or teaching assistant for assistance.
Topic 1: Health Policy: How do public policies shape the health of Canadians? How
do these public policies act through the social determinants of health to shape
health? How does Canadas political and economic systems shape these public
policies and what can be done to improve these promote public policies in the
service of health?
Topic 2: Health Management: What distinguishes Canadas health care system
from that of the USA? Identify two main problems that need to be addressed in
Canadas health care system? Why are these issues important? What are some
proposed solutions?
Topic 3: Health Informatics: What are the key features of a electronic health
record approach? How is Canada doing in developing such a system? What are
some barriers to instituting an electronic health record approach in Canada? How
can these barriers be addressed?
Topic 4: What is the scope and reach of Global Health? Identify some emerging key
issues in Global Health and relate these to globalization and its effects. What are
some means of promoting Global Health?
Conduct a literature search of professional journal articles and government and
agency reports pertaining to the topic that you have identified in #1. Identify 5-6

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relevant, current articles and additional resources which discuss the topic in
further detail. Paper must be printed out and handed in at the tutorial. It must also
be submitted to turnitin.
Prepare a draft of your paper by discussing each of the following:
1. Introduction to the issue (e.g. problem, dilemma, concern); include a thesis
statement.
2. Why it is an issue; the history (how the issue evolved); and how it captured
your interest
3. Who does the issue involve (e.g. key stakeholders such as the public,
government and healthcare organizations).
4. What are the implications for the public and policy makers?
5. Summary (your conclusions, new insights, pulling the paper together).
Format:
Use subheadings to separate/organize different aspects of your paper which
support your main thesis. Your draft paper will be 5 pages excluding cover page
and references. Use 1 inch margins (2.54 cm), 12 font Times Roman, 1.5 spacing,
and APA style referencing format.
DO NOT USE QUOTATIONS. USE YOUR OWN WORDS TO PARAPHRASE
WHAT YOU READ WITH APPROPRIATE CITATIONS.
C. Scholarly Discussion Paper: final version (8 pages) Due November 23
Using the same format, resubmit the above paper making revisions to your
discussion of the topic based on written instructor feedback and resubmit.
Feedback could include the need for clarity in identifying issues, grammar, APA
writing style or choice of professional literature. Paper must be printed out and
handed in at the tutorial. It must also be submitted to turnitin.
Evaluation Criteria:
a) Substance: paper addresses the essential elements related to your topic and
issue; ideas are supported by examples, course concepts and evidence (i.e.,
literature) provided; demonstrates critical thinking (i.e., sound conceptualising,
interpreting and analysis-synthesis.
b) Originality: creative integration of own ideas with those of other authors;
unique interpretation of ideas.
c) Clarity: logical flow of ideas; grammatically correct sentences and paragraph
structure. Appropriate APA format for scholarly paper.
d) Progression of analytic and written literacy skills: demonstration of constructive
use of instructor feedback regarding analyses and format of paper; increased
understanding of key course concepts.
D. Reflective Analyses Paper (4 pages) Due December 7
The purpose of this assignment is for the student to reflect and document his/her
learning resulting from participation in the discussion tutorials related to health
and health care issues. Paper must be printed out and handed in at the tutorial. It
must also be submitted to turnitin.

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Instructions:
4 pages plus cover page; no references required.
1. Identify one topic or issue of personal interest.
2. Identify one perspective (from Chapters 2-4) related to this topic or issue that
you gained most insight.
3. How has that changed your view of the issue?
4. What would you like to see changed in the Canadian public policy and/or
healthcare system to improve the status of those affected by this topic/issue?
Evaluation Criteria:
1. demonstrated new understanding of key course concepts
2. application to self-identity
3. clarity of written expression
E. Use of TurnItIn:
Turnitin is web-based software which scans submitted works for similarity to
material in public websites, academic journals, papers purchased from an essay
mill, etc., and to essays and assignments concurrently or previously submitted to
Turnitin, which are stored in a database. An 'originality report' is then provided to
the instructor, who remains responsible for determining any breach of academic
honesty. You are required to submit your essays into Turn-It-In
Log in information:
Class ID: 10105715
Enrolment Password: health
You will create your own user profile using the class enrolment wizard. Additional
instructions are available on the York University website
If you do not wish to use TurnItIn, you must let the Course Director know in
advance. You will be required to submit written reports on how you completed
each of your assignments (required contents below), along with detailed
annotated bibiliographies. Each report and bibliography must be submitted with
your assignment when it is due. You will also email an electronic copy of each
report and bibliography (with hyperlinked URLs in it) to the Course Director. You
may be asked to take an oral examination for any or all of your written
assignments directed at issues of originality.
The written report must contain the following information, as well as anything else
you consider useful to the Course Director on the issue of academic integrity:
A list of the documents and other sources you consulted to understand
your topic, along with the dates you first used each of them;
An explanation of how those documents and sources led you to the other
documents and sources you used;
An explanation of which of the sources you used had the most influence on
your understanding of the topic of your assignment, and how you used
them.

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Course Schedule:
Week
Date
1
09/14/2015

09/21/2015

09/28/2015

10/05/2015

10/19/2015

10/26/2015

11/02/2015

11/09/2015

Curriculum
Introduction: key concepts, course assignments and
evaluation; York academic policies and student
services/resources
Lecture Topic: The Canadian Health Care System I
Required reading: Chapter 10: Cracks in the
Foundation
Tutorial: Why am I in university? What is expected of me?
Lecture Topic: The Canadian Health Care System II
Required reading: Chapter 11: Evolution of Health Care
Policy: Deconstructing Divergent Approaches
Tutorial: What is writing a paper about? Knowledge Claims
I
Lecture Topic: Concepts of Health, Illness and Health Care
I
Required readings: Chapter 1: Epidemiological
Approaches.
AND Towards a common definition of global health
(Free download at http://tinyurl.com/nrqn44v)
Tutorial: Tutorial: Information sources; Knowledge Claims II
Lecture Topic: Concepts of Health, Illness and Health Care
II
Required readings: Chapter 2: Sociological Perspectives
on Health and Health Care AND
Globalization and social determinants of health, part 1
Tutorial: Academic integrity I; Knowledge Claims III
Lecture Topic: Concepts of Health, Illness and Health Care
III
Required readings: Chapter 3: Health and Health Care: A
Political Economy Perspective AND
Globalization and social determinants of health, part 2
Tutorial: Academic integrity II; Referencing I
Lecture Topic: Concepts of Health, Illness and Health Care
IV
Required readings: Chapter 4: The Right to Health:
Human Rights Approaches to Health
Tutorial: Referencing II I
Lecture Topic: Gaining Knowledge about the Determinants
of Health
Required readings: Chapter 5: Researching Health:
Paradigms and Chapter 6: Social Determinants of Health
Tutorial: Revising a paper I
Lecture Topic: The Impact of Social Inequality on Health
Outcomes
Required readings: Chapter 7: Social Class and Health
Inequalities AND
Globalization and social determinants of health, part 3
Tutorial: Revising a paper II

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11/16/2015

10

11/23/2015

11

11/30/2015

12

12/07/2015

Lecture Topic: Gender and Racial Differences in Health

Outcomes
Required readings: Chapter 8: Gender, Race and Health
Inequalities and Chapter 13: Gender, Health and Care
Tutorial: Improving your writing
Lecture Topic: Politics and Health
Required readings: Chapter 9: Politics, Public Policy, and
Health Inequalities and Chapter 16: The Political Economy of
Public Health
Tutorial: Reflective essay I
Lecture Topic: The Provision of Care
Required readings: Chapter 12: The Provision of Care:
Professions, Politics and Profit and Chapter 15:
Pharmaceutical Policy
Tutorial: Reflective essay II
Lecture Topic: Emerging issues: health information and
informatics
Required readings: Chapter 14: Constructing Disability and
Illness and Chapter 17: Towards the Future
Tutorial: Putting it all together

Requesting Make-Up Examinations & Assignments Late Submissions

A. Religious Accommodation: Students who need to fulfill religious

commitments must make requests well in advance of the assignment or
examination deadlines as explained in the Religious Accommodation Guidelines

B. Disability Accommodation: Students with disabilities who require an

extension on assignments must receive written approval from the course
director at least 3 weeks in advance of the scheduled deadline of
submission. Requests are initiated by submitting to the course director a
Letter of Accommodation issued by York Universitys Counselling & Disability
Services.

C. Unforeseen Circumstances: If you miss mid-term/final

assignments/examinations due to unforeseen circumstances, you must do the
following:

a) If you are a student with a disability who has already scheduled with the
Registrars Office to write a mid-term or final examination at the

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Alternate Examination Center but you end up being absent due to

unforeseen circumstances, you may be allowed to request for re-scheduling
only once with a valid reason. Approvals are not guaranteed. Follow the
procedures and request deadlines posted on the Registrars Office website.

b) Otherwise, you will submit one of the forms below along with appropriate
supporting documents (refer to the examples on the next page) in a
complete package to the School of Health Policy & Management (SHPM)
Main Office located in Room 406, HNES Building within 7 calendar days of
the missed assignment/examination. The period during which the
University is officially closed for December holidays and statutory holidays
is not counted in the determination of 7 calendar days. Weekends are not
statutory holidays. Submissions after office hours and on weekends are
possible just drop them off in the drop box next to door of the SHPM Main
Office. Without exception, incomplete or late submissions will be rejected.

Missed Test Documentation Form for any mid-term assignment or

examination other than the final assignment/examination.

ii

Final Exam/Deferred Standing Agreement Form for the final

assignment or examination only.

D. Decisions: Approvals for make-up mid-term or final examinations and

extension of mid-term assignment deadlines are not guaranteed.

If your request for a term assignments extension or make-up mid-term

examination is not approved, you are not allowed to petition and will receive a
grade of zero for missed exam.

If your request associated with the final assignment or examination is not

approved, you may petition to your home faculty. Follow the instructions
posted on the Registrars Office website.

If a make-up exam request is approved, the student must be prepared to write

a make-up exam at a date set by the SHPM (this may be as early as a week

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following the missed exam). Although the content to be examined will be the
same, the format may or may not follow that of the original exam. A conflict in
another course during the time of the make-up is not an acceptable reason for
missing the make-up (unless there is an examination in the other course at
that time).

If an extension for a missed assignment is approved, the new deadline is firm

and no further extensions will be considered.

Failure to comply with the above stated policies will result in a grade of zero being
assigned to the missed examinations and the late assignments will be subject to
mark deductions outlined in this course outline.

E. Examples of Supporting Documents

The instructor and the SHPM have the right to request valid supporting
documents. All supporting documents are non-returnable. Examples
include:

a Medical Circumstances

Attending Physicians Statement

accepted.)

(NOTE: Other forms of medical notes are not

b Non-Medical Circumstances

Death of direct family members - death certificates, obituary notice, notice of

funeral services, etc.
Vehicle accidents - automobile accident reports, etc.
Emergency travel airline tickets with boarding passes, bus/train tickets, etc.
Disability Accommodation letter of academic accommodation issued by the
Counselling and Disability Studies at York University

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Important Course Information for Students and Instructors

The Senate Academic Standards, Curriculum and Pedagogy (ASCP) provide a Student
Information Sheet that explains the followings.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Academic Honesty and Integrity

Access/Disability
Ethics Review Process
Religious Observance Accommodation
Student Conduct in Academic Situations

Additional information
A. Important University Sessional Dates
You will find classes and exams start/end dates, reading/co-curricular week,
add/drop deadlines, holidays, University closings and more on the Registrars
Office website

B. Tuition Refund Table

You may be eligible for a full or partial refund depending on when you de-enroll
from courses.
Refer to the dates posted on the Office of Student Financial
Services website.

C. Referencing Style
A referencing style approved by the course director must be used for all
assignments and essays. As examples, this may include APA, AMA, MLA. York
University Libraries provide manuals.
D. Writing and Learning Skills
You are strongly encouraged to seek assistance from the following university
units.
1.
2.
3.

Writing Centre
Learning Commons
Learning Skills Services

E. Undergraduate Grading Scale

Refer to the Registrars Office website for details.
F. Grading Scheme and Feedback Policy

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Refer to the University Policy for details.

G. 20% Rule
No examinations or tests collectively worth more than 20% of the final grade in
a course will be given during the final 14 calendar days of classes in a term.
The exceptions to the rule are classes which regularly meet Friday evenings or
on Saturday and/or Sunday at any time, and courses offered in the compressed
summer terms.
(Note:
Final course grades may be adjusted to
conform to Program or Faculty grades distribution profiles.)
H. Final Grade Reappraisals
Refer to the Registrars Office website for details.
I. Pass/Fail Legislation
Refer to the University Policy for details.

Page 13 of 14

School of Health Policy and Management

Assignment Attachment Form

Student Name:
Student Number:
Course Code:
Assignment Title:
Due Date:
Tutorial Leader (if applicable):
Please check each box after reading, to acknowledge agreement with each
statement.
I have read and understand the Senate Policy on Academic Honesty found on
website at the following York Secretariate website on Academic Honesty.
I have read and understood the assignment submission described in the course
outline (syllabus)
I have read and understood the criteria used for assessment in this assignment
I have read and understood and followed the referencing guidelines required for
assignments submitted at York University
This assignment is entirely my own work, except where I have given documented
references to work of others
This assignment or substantial parts of it has not previously been submitted for
assessment in any formal course of study, unless acknowledged in the assignment
and previously agreed to by my Tutorial Leader and Course Director
I understand that this assignment may undergo electronic detection for plagiarism
and a copy of the assignment may be retained on the database and used to make
comparisons with other assignments in the future
Signature: ___________________________

Date: ___________________

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