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Unit of study_

LAWS6920: Global Health Law

Intensive August, 2023 [Block mode] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

National and sub-national perspectives have dominated traditional public health law. However, domestic governance alone is increasingly inadequate in an interconnected world in which information, commerce and people routinely travel beyond national borders. Climate change threatens to expand the range of disease vectors, as well as threatening whole populations. Infectious diseases, such as HIV/AIDS, SARS, Ebola, and Influenzas A (H1N1) and (H5N1) began far from Australia shores but quickly became serious concerns for Australian health officials. More recently Covid-19 (SARS-CoV-2) and its variants have swept the world, overwhelming health systems and public health strategies in developed and developing countries alike. Chronic conditions, such as obesity, tobacco-related diseases, and diabetes were once afflictions of affluent nations, but now increasingly plague developing countries. Global health challenges such as these reveal the inadequacy of not only domestic public health laws, but segmented and narrow disciplinary perspectives. Today's public health problems call for a more integrated approach. Public health law scholars require a basic understanding of disciplines beyond the scope of traditional legal training in order to work effectively with scientists, policymakers, ethicists, health workers and many other professionals to confront emergent threats to public health. Just as disciplinary boundaries have expanded, so too must governance regimes. International health law alone cannot assure the conditions for people to be healthy. Multiple domestic and international regimes have major impacts on health, such as agriculture, energy, trade, and the environment. This unit will consider each of these transitions in modern public health law: from domestic to international, from narrow legal to broader multidisciplinary perspectives, and from international health law to broader global health governance. The primary - although not exclusive - focus will be on global issues in public health law, including infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, mental illness, and injuries. The unit will investigate the nature and possibilities of global health law and health governance, as well as complex ethical questions regarding the duties owed by citizens of different countries in an interdependent world. This unit is deeply multidisciplinary, calling on a range of disciplines including law, ethics, history, sociology, and public health. Through a bio-event simulation, students will experience first-hand the challenges and benefits of solving problems. By the end of the unit, students will have a solid understanding of global health governance frameworks and the role of international health law within it. Students will be able to critically evaluate gaps in current legal frameworks and the role that legal tools can play at national and international levels to address global health needs. Key topics include: Failures in global health and their consequences, including global health hazards, global health institutions and the promise and possibilities of global health law; International law and global health, including the International Health Regulations; global governance of Covid-19; Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Framework; the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control; global health, international trade and intellectual property; and global health and human rights; Global health law and governance in transition, including reform of global health security frameworks; AIDS, human rights and global health justice; the silent pandemic of non-communicable diseases; imagining global health with justice; and Simulation: responding to pandemic influenza.

Unit details and rules

Unit code LAWS6920
Academic unit Law
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Roger Magnusson, roger.magnusson@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Research essay (80%)
Written assignment
80% Mid-semester break
Due date: 27 Sep 2023 at 17:00

Closing date: 04 Oct 2023
7000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5
Participation Simulations (Individual) (10%)
Individual participation in class simulation exercises
10% Ongoing
Closing date: 20 Jul 2023
Ongoing
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO5 LO4
Participation Simulations (Group) (10%)
Group participation in class simulation exercises
10% Ongoing
Closing date: 20 Jul 2023
Entire simulation exercise will take 3hr
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3
Assignment Research essay topic (non-graded)
Written assignment
0% Week -02
Due date: 20 Jul 2023 at 17:00

Closing date: 27 Jul 2023
750 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5

Assessment summary

Simulations (Individual) (10%): Students will be allocated roles for two in-class simulation exercises; one as a simulation of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body for a new pandemic instrument; another in a Pandemic Tabletop Exercise. 1.5 hours (INB Simulation Exercise)

Simulations (Group) (10%): (Pandemic Influenza Simulation Exercise). The Simulation exercise will take 3 hours. Students will be assigned to a group to prepare individual responses for a scenario in the simulation. In class, students in their group will come to a consensus on their responses. Groups will be invited to share their responses with the class, sharing responsibility for presenting the responses evenly. Each student group will present for 10 minutes. Students will be individually assessed for their contributions to their group and to the class discussion after the simulation.

Research essay topic 750 words (non graded): Students are required to develop their own topics for the research essay components (in discussion with the lecturer). Topics must be based on the unit material. Please upload your final topic elections on the canvas site by 5:00pm (Sydney, Australia time) on Thursday, 20 July 2023.

Research essay (80%) 7000 words: The purpose of the research essay is to allow students to pursue a chosen area or topic within the unit in more depth. The project aims to encourage the development of basic research and analytical skills; as well as fostering clear thinking and expression of ideas. The essay is due at 5:00pm (Sydney, Australia time) on Wednesday, 27 September 2023.
 

Word limit penalty: A piece of assessment which exceeds the prescribed word limit will attract a penalty of 10% of the total marks available for the piece of assessment for every 100 words, or part thereof.  The total word count for essays will:
•    Exclude bibliography, footnote numbers; footnote citations; cover page; and
•    Include: body text, headings and sub-headings; quotations; and long discursive footnotes.

Use of editors or proof-readers: The use of assistance in preparing and editing assessment tasks in this unit of study is strictly prohibited. Assistance includes human and automated writing tools (not including spell checking). The use of Studiosity does not breach this rule but must be acknowledged.
  
Special consideration: Successful grants of Special Consideration may involve alternative tasks, as appropriate. 

Assessment requirements to pass a unit of study: A student must make a genuine attempt at all assessment tasks set out in this Unit of Study in order to obtain a Pass mark and grade (or above); otherwise an Absent Fail grade will be recorded as the student’s result for this Unit of Study.
 

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

  • Completely answers the question.
  • Contains striking originality of approach or analysis.
  • Demonstrates exhaustive or innovative research (where independent research required).
  • Exceptionally well written, structured and expressed.
  • Is otherwise exceptional in some way.

Distinction

75 - 84

  • Completely answers the question.
  • Achieves a critical and evaluative approach to the issues.
  • Content and structure is well organised in support of the argument.
  • Demonstrates extensive research and analysis to support a well-documented argument.
  • Generally well expressed and free from errors.
  • Has a clear structure and is well articulated.

Credit

65 - 74

  • Covers main issues fairly well in answering the question.
  • Contains no significant errors.
  • Demonstrates an attempted critical approach to the issues.
  • Demonstrates reasonably sound research and analysis in addressing the key issues.
  • Has a clear structure and reasonably clear expression.

Pass

50 - 64

  • Identifies the key issues, but does not follow through with a reasoned argument.
  • Contains some significant errors.
  • Displays satisfactory engagement with the key issues.
  • Offers a descriptive summary of material relevant to the question.
  • Superficial use of material, and may display a tendency to paraphrase.
  • Demonstrates little evidence of in-depth research or analysis.
  • Adequate expression.
  • Overall, demonstrates the minimum level of competence in the assessment and satisfies the requirements to proceed to higher-level studies in the degree or subject area.

Fail

0 - 49

  • Does not answer the question.
  • Contains significant or numerous errors.
  • Few or no identifiable arguments.
  • Content that is inappropriate or irrelevant.
  • Lack of research or analysis.
  • Difficult or impossible to understand through poor grammar, expression or structure.
  • Overall, does not demonstrate the minimum level of competence in the assessment.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

The late submission of a piece of assessment, which has not been granted an extension, will attract a penalty of 10% of the total marks available for the piece of assessment per calendar day or part thereof. For example, a submission after (5.00pm) but by 11.59pm on the due date will attract a 10% penalty. A submission after midnight of the due date for submission will attract a 20% penalty. A submission on the following day after midnight will attract a 30% penalty, and so on. Late penalties will be strictly applied. The date and time of submission as recorded by Canvas is taken as the official and final record of a student’s submission.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Ongoing Topic 1.1 – Introduction to Global Health Law and Global Governance for Health, Topic 1.2 – The Great Coronavirus Pandemic of 2020, Topic 2.1 – The World Health Organization, Topic 2.2 – Old and New Institutions, Topic 3.1 – Legal Possibilities in Global Health, Topic 3.2 – The International Health Regulations (2005) and Beyond and Topic 3.3 – The Pandemic Treaty Seminar (6.5 hr) LO1
Topic 4.1 – Antimicrobial Resistance; Topic 4.2 – The Silent Pandemic of Noncommunicable Diseases and Topic 4.3 – Tobacco Control: Australia and Tobacco Plain Packaging Seminar (6.5 hr) LO1
Topic 4.4 – Zoonotic Diseases and their Drivers; Topic 4.5 – Climate Change; Topic 4.6 – One Health; Topic 5.1 - Understanding the dynamics of health system governance; Topic 5.2 – Mechanisms for Global Health Equity and Topic 5.3 – Universal Health Coverage Seminar (6.5 hr) LO1
Topic 5.4 – Imagining Global Health with Justice Seminar (6.5 hr) LO1

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: All students are required to attend 70% of classes (or as otherwise specified by the Unit Coordinator) to satisfy the pass requirements for each unit of study. Attendance requirements may be satisfied by in person attendance as specified by the Unit Coordinator. Failure to meet this requirement may result in a student being precluded from sitting the final assessment.  

Referencing: The Sydney Law School expects you to use the Australian Guide to Legal Citation (4th edition, 2018) for your footnoting style, although you should confirm this with your lecturer, and a link to the library website where this is set out comprehensively is available at https://libguides.library.usyd.edu.au/c.php?g=508212&p=3476376  

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed on the Library eReserve link available on Canvas.

  • Gostin, Lawrence O, Global Health Security: A Blueprint for the Future (Harvard University Press, 2021). The full text is available online and in hard copy at the University of Sydney Library. This book is available for purchase, with a student discount, from Gleebooks, 49 Glebe Point Road or online via https://www.gleebooks.com.au/textbooks/.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. analyse and critically reflect on the legal, economic, political, and public health policy concepts relevant to global health law.
  • LO2. identify and describe to an advanced and integrated level the major institutions and organizations influencing global health, including intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations, and foundations
  • LO3. critically Evaluate the effectiveness of international legal and policy mechanisms in advancing health goals and comprehend the theoretical framework underpinning contemporary international law related to global health
  • LO4. apply advanced legal research skills to critically assess and explain the significant contemporary challenges in global health and their underlying causes
  • LO5. synthesise complex legal ideas and concepts to create sound written and oral arguments and critically reflect on the appropriate role of law in addressing global health needs and priorities

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Minor changes were made to the assessment regime
  • Teacher consultation guidelines: Preferentially, you can reach the lecturer via e-mail: gostin@law.georgetown.edu.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.