380.771.01
Understanding and Changing International Reproductive Health Policy

Location
East Baltimore
Term
4th Term
Department
Population, Family and Reproductive Health
Credit(s)
3
Academic Year
2022 - 2023
Instruction Method
In-person
Class Time(s)
Wednesday, 9:00 - 11:50am
Auditors Allowed
Yes, with instructor consent
Available to Undergraduate
No
Grading Restriction
Letter Grade or Pass/Fail
Course Instructor(s)
Duff Gillespie
Beth Fredrick
Contact Name
Duff Gillespie
Frequency Schedule
Every Year
Description
The combination of policy analysis, advocacy theory, and practical application provide students with knowledge of the international health policy landscape. Students gain the skills needed to use evidence, ethics, and experience to effectively guide program and policy development.
Introduces students to policy analysis and issues in reproductive health, with a focus on international family planning. Teaches how to analyze policymaking processes and ways to influence these processes through evidence-based advocacy. Uses case studies and other readings to analyze policies within the current political and foreign and domestic financial environment. Provides first-hand knowledge of effective advocacy efforts and tools. Focuses on Family Planning 2030 (FP2030), the international partnership launched in 2012. Presents an “insider’s” perspective reflecting their experience and draws from the advocacy approach of the Advance Family Planning (AFP) multi-country initiative. Includes practical application of the SMART Advocacy approach as a core part of the course.
Learning Objectives
Upon successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
  1. Discuss and analyze multiple dimensions (including the role of ethics and evidence) of the reproductive health policy making process of the U.S. government and other donors, the United Nations, and selected low- and middle-income countries
  2. Evaluate policies for their impact on public health and health equity through analysis of how reproductive health policies affect programmatic and budgetary decisions
  3. Explain how reproductive health policies are different from other health and development policies
  4. Identify and assess external factors that influence the reproductive health policymaking process and its implementation
  5. Advocate for political, social, or economic policies and programs that will improve health in diverse populations through: a) development of a decision-maker focused advocacy objective and rationale, and request for action at national or subnational levels within a specific country; b) presentation of a rationale for maintaining or graduating foreign aid to a developing country family planning program; c) class discussion
Methods of Assessment
This course is evaluated as follows:
  • 20% Participation
  • 5% Peer-feedback
  • 10% Quizzes
  • 30% Written Assignment(s)
  • 35% Final Presentation
Enrollment Restriction
No undergraduates
Instructor Consent
No consent required