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Values, Ethics and Global Public Health

Key information

  • Module code:

    5SSHM007

  • Level:

    5

  • Semester:

      Autumn

  • Credit value:

    15

Module description

The module is designed to:

  • To develop and enhance participants' capacity to engage in systematic reflection on the assumptions, concepts and values inherent in the fields of global public health
  • To develop participants' critical awareness and appreciation of theories and themes from applied moral philosophy related to the fields of global public health
  • To develop and enhance participants' capacity to use this awareness to analyse the nature and values of health/ public health-related practice and the policy context shaping it
  • To develop participants' awareness of, and their capacity critically to analyse and reflect on, the contribution of bioethics to the health care arena

Assessment details

1 x 500 Word Essay Outline (20%)

1 x 2,500 Word Essay (80%)

Educational aims & objectives

  • To develop and enhance participants' capacity to engage in systematic reflection on the assumptions, concepts and values inherent in the fields of global public health
  • To develop participants' critical awareness and appreciation of theories and themes from applied moral philosophy related to the fields of global public health
  • To develop and enhance participants' capacity to use this awareness to analyse the nature and values of health/ public health-related practice and the policy context shaping it
  • To develop participants' awareness of, and their capacity critically to analyse and reflect on, the contribution of bioethics to the health care arena

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:

• Identify and offer a critical appraisal of central themes and theories apparent in contemporary applied moral philosophy

• Explain and analyse the ways in which such themes and theories have been used by those engaged in developing ethics of global public health

• Understand and analyse public health policy and practice in terms of the ethical and value-based assumptions underlying them

• Offer reasoned critiques and defences of specific public health related practice (including where appropriate their own) through reference to the ethical theories and frameworks they have encountered

• Demonstrate a strong critical awareness of both the value and the limitation of formal ethical thinking in public health related contexts

Teaching pattern

One weekly one hour lecture and one weekly one hour seminar. 

Suggested reading list

Key Texts

Duncan, P (2010) Values, Ethics and Health Care London: Sage

Arras, J.D et al (2015) (eds) The Routledge Guide to Bioethics New York: Routledge

Benatar, S & Brock, G (2011) (eds) Global Health and Global Health Ethics Cambridge: Cambridge University Press


Module description disclaimer

King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.

Please note that modules with a practical component will be capped due to educational requirements, which may mean that we cannot guarantee a place to all students who elect to study this module.

Please note that the module descriptions above are related to the current academic year and are subject to change.