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50877-01 - Colloquium: Economics of Global Health (3 CP)
| Semester | spring semester 2025 |
| Course frequency | Every spring sem. |
| Lecturers | Günther Fink (guenther.fink@unibas.ch, Assessor) |
| Content | This class examines health issues in developing countries from the standpoint of applied economics. Specific topics include: (1) identifying the bi-directional relationship between health and economic growth; (2) understanding key economic challenges to improving individual and global health; and (3) recognizing differences between optimal health decisions from an individual, national and global perspective. We will examine the empirical evidence in support of interventions affecting health, including the success and failure of interventions that target infant mortality, diarrhea, HIV/AIDS, and malaria. We will also investigate the role of health insurance as well as different approaches to deliver health care in resource-constrained settings. |
| Comments | Prof. Günther Fink is Eckenstein-Geigy Professor of Epidemiology and Household Economics at the University of Basel and Head of the Household Economics and Health Systems Research Unit at the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute. He holds a Ph.D. in economics from Bocconi University in Milan, Italy, as well as a Master’s in applied economics from the University of Michigan. |
| Weblink | Weblink to ADAM |
| Admission requirements | Familiarity with intermediate economic theory and econometrics—including consumer theory, income and substitution effects, producer theory, experimental design, instrumental variables, and difference-in-differences estimation is required. |
| Course application | Registration: Please enroll in the Online Services (services.unibas.ch); Eucor-Students and mobility students of other Swiss Universities or the FHNW first have to register at the University of Basel BEFORE the start of the course and receive their login data by post (e-mail address of the University of Basel). Processing time up to a week! Detailed information can be found here: https://www.unibas.ch/de/Studium/Mobilitaet.html After successful registration you can enroll for the course in the Online Services (services.unibas.ch). Applies to everyone: Enrolment = Registration for the course and the exam! A deregistration is possible by email to belegungstorno-wwz@unibas.ch by April 28, 2025 at the latest, stating the course number, title and your matriculation number. |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | No specific media used |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| wöchentlich | Monday | 12.15-14.00 | Wirtschaftswissenschaftliche Fakultät, Seminarraum S13 HG.35 |
| wöchentlich | Wednesday | 14.15-16.00 | Wirtschaftswissenschaftliche Fakultät, Seminarraum S15 HG.31 |
Dates
| Modules |
Module: Core Competences in Economics (Master's Studies: Sustainable Development) Module: Field Electives in Economics and Public Policy (Master's Studies: Economics and Public Policy) Module: Fields: Environment and Development (Master's degree program: African Studies) Module: Fields: Public Health and Social Life (Master's degree program: African Studies) Module: Policy Field: Health and Labor (Master's Studies: Economics and Public Policy) Module: Specific Electives in International Business, Trade and the Environment (Master's Studies: Business and Economics) Specialization Module Global Europe: Global Ageing and Health (Master's Studies: European Global Studies) |
| Assessment format | record of achievement |
| Assessment details | Class Structure: This class is centered on two or three readings from the health and economics literatures chosen for each session. The instructor will go over the readings in class, present key theoretical and empirical elements and expects students to challenge the methods and findings of the papers presented. Grading: The grade of this class has the following three components: Class participation: 50 percent Paper presentation: 50 percent Class participation: Students are expected to 1) attend all classes 2) have read articles on the reading list prior to class, and to be able to 3) answer specific questions about these articles and 4) critically assess the general approach and message of the articles discussed. I expect all students to be present in all sessions and to participate in the discussions to make this class as interactive as possible. Each student will have to present one paper to the group. The presentation should take 15-20 minutes, and should include the main methods and results of the paper as well as a discussion of the main strengths and weaknesses of the article presented. |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Reg.: course registr.; dereg.: Office of the Dean of Studies |
| Repeat examination | no repeat examination |
| Scale | 1-6 0,1 |
| Repeated registration | as often as necessary |
| Responsible faculty | Faculty of Business and Economics , studiendekanat-wwz@unibas.ch |
| Offered by | Faculty of Business and Economics |