Course Syllabus

NURS 2400 Special Topics in Healthcare Travel

Course Description

This course offers an international travel experience and exposure to the culture of selected countries in order to think critically and comparatively about healthcare and welfare systems globally. Topics may include folklore and superstition, death and rituals of dying, famine and migration, women’s healthcare, religion and healthcare, and implications of political change. Comprehensive mandatory field trips are integrated with the class to reinforce the learning outcomes. There will be an opportunity to meet with healthcare professionals from the selected countries. Students will be responsible for travel expenses. This course is repeatable for credit. Instructor permission is required.

Justification

This course allows students to explore a variety of cultural, political, religious, social, and philosophical viewpoints that are often beyond their realm of experience. It will provide variety in Snow College's offerings related to global citizenship, and a chance for faculty to experiment with potential new courses. The interdisciplinary study of Healthcare provides a lens to observe the many ways by which humans have attempted to understand themselves and their world. This course provides opportunities for students from all majors across the Snow College campus to gain exposure to global perspectives and develop cultural competency.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to investigate the world beyond their immediate environment, framing significant problems and conducting well-crafted and age-appropriate research.
2. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to recognize perspectives, others’ and their own, articulating and explaining such perspectives thoughtfully and respectfully.
3. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to observe and evaluate the opinions and experiences of diverse audiences, with an awareness of geographic, linguistic, ideological, and cultural similarities and differences.
4. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to engage in a personal way with the narratives and themes of each module and contribute creatively to an ongoing dialogue over the duration of the program.
5. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to reflect critically on their role as a member of the global community and pursue ways to create positive change.
6. Upon successful completion of this course, students will experience traveling overseas, including acquiring a passport, negotiating international travel, and interacting with people from various countries and cultures.

Course Content

Course content varies according to the specific topic in any given semester; however, the content will include reading a number of scholarly or major works of literature associated with the topic of the course.

Topics may include folklore and superstition, death and rituals of dying, famine and migration, women’s healthcare, religion and healthcare, and implications of political change.

It will cover a historical timeline of the selected country, including the early history to the present day. The course will take place on campus and through field experience.

The course presents shared narratives as a lens through which the students will consider global themes of cultural experience in healthcare and nursing. The aim is to provide the opportunity for interdisciplinary, critical and comparative thinking, and international awareness.

A focus of this course is learning to respect different cultures, beliefs, and practices. This will help create a learning culture that is safe, friendly, non-judgemental, and engaging toward all areas and ranges of human differences.