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260.844.41
Causation

Location
Internet
Term
4th Term
Department
Molecular Microbiology and Immunology
Credit(s)
3
Academic Year
2020 - 2021
Instruction Method
Hybrid In-person and Synchronous Online
Class Time(s)
Thursday, 5:00 - 6:00pm
Auditors Allowed
Yes, with instructor consent
Available to Undergraduate
Yes
Grading Restriction
Letter Grade or Pass/Fail
Course Instructor(s)
Contact Name
Gundula Bosch
Contact Email
Frequency Schedule
Every Year
Prerequisite

none

Description
Are you interested in fundamental ideas about cause and effect relationships, and how they govern biomedical and public health researchers' work? Have you ever asked yourself what 'causation' actually is and how the concept historically evolved? We will discuss different theories of causation, and analyze how sub-disciplines of science establish causality. In this course, faculty from each JHSPH Department will lead a discussion of how causal relationships are understood within their field, and what approaches allow us to gain causal insight on that topic by observing phenomena ranging in scale from the molecular to the global.
Acquaints students with fundamental ideas and historic theories about causation. Discusses how cause and effect relationships govern today's biomedical and public health research and evidence-based decision-making. Compares how fields and sub-disciplines in biomedicine and public health approach causation using concrete case examples that illustrate major morbidity and mortality-related health problems. Addresses limitations of causal inference in biomedicine and public health. Examines strategies to mitigate the limitations of causal inference.
Learning Objectives
Upon successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
  1. Explain three key concepts about causation: The Regularity Theory of Causation, The Counterfactual Theory of Causation, and the idea of necessary connection
  2. Describe how causal inference has been historically used in the health sciences
  3. Differentiate how causality is established among the biomedical and public health fields using research examples that illustrate global, morbidity- and mortality-related health problems
  4. Recognize the limitations of causal inference in the public health sciences
  5. Appraise approaches to mitigate limitations in establishing causal inference in health research and practice
Methods of Assessment
This course is evaluated as follows:
  • 30% Case study work
  • 40% Final Project
  • 30% Course and discussion participation
Special Comments

This course is part of the JHSPH R3 Program series (jhsph.edu/r3gsi), and represents a collaborative effort across Departments and disciplines at the School.