East Meets West: Contrasting Public Health Priorities, Pragmatics and Polemics in the U.S. and India

January 2 - January 22, 2010

HLTH 489I (3 Credits)

As we head further into the 21st century, India and the U.S. represent our two largest democracies.  Based on culture, history, governance and politics these two countries have adopted similar and unique ways of addressing public health concerns.  This course will expose students to policy and programmatic frameworks for the delivery of public health services in these two cultures.  Through in-class instruction, lively discussions with Manipal students/faculty, and field trips to community-based programs, students will explore global public health and its complexities.

This course aims to:

• Provide students with an understanding of how public health  priorities and programs are developed and implemented within a socio-political, cultural, and economic context
• Expose students to the public health system in India
• Facilitate cross-cultural sensitivity and competence by immersing students in the Manipal University community and local Indian culture.

Housing
Students will be housed on the Manipal University campus, which has all the modern amenities of transportation, communication, dining, and banking. The University has an enrollment representing 52 countries and  the Kasturba Medical College at Manipal University is ranked among the best in India. Manipal itself is situated amidst rural farmlands in the state of Karnataka on the West Coast of India.  At the end of Manipal lies End Point, a beautiful spot  for watching the sunset over the Arabian Sea.

Sites Visited
To enhance the academic content of the course and the immersion experience, students will visit schools, clinics/hospitals, and community settings where public health is practiced. Excursions are planned to the famous pilgrimage centre of Udupi, 15th century temples in Karkala, Malpe fishing village, Kaup Beach/Lighthouse, and St.Mary’s Island. A weekend trip to Kerala, "God's Own Country", is also planned, including backwater journey overnight on a houseboat.

Faculty & Staff

Dr. Donna Howard is an Associate Professor in the Department of Public and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Maryland College Park.  During the fall 2008 semester, she was a Fulbright Fellow and visiting Professor in the Department of Community Medicine, Manipal University.  Dr. Howard has also engaged in public health work in Grenada, West Indies and Bali, Indonesia. Please contact Dr. Howard regarding program and course information. 

For questions about the application, registration and pre-departure logistics, please contact the Study Abroad Office at 301.314.7473.