Course Syllabus
Health and Gender Inequalities: Past, Present, and Future |
| Semester & Location: |
Summer 2025 Session 1 - DIS Copenhagen |
| Type & Credits: |
Elective Course - 3 credits |
| Major Disciplines: |
Gender Studies, Pre-Medicine / Health Science, Public Health |
| Prerequisite: |
None |
| Faculty Member: |
Augusta Mariia Søndergaard |
| Program contact: |
Science and Health, shsupport@dis.dk |
| Program Director: |
Susana Dietrich |
| Time & Place: |
Fi6-Metro 105 |
Course Description
By looking into empirical and historical data and research, this course investigates how women’s health and wellbeing have been neglected historically due to the fact that most doctors and research participants have been men. How has that impacted women’s health outcomes in the past and present, and what can be done today to reduce these inequalities in the future? In addition, the course will also address inequities related to race as well as transgender, intersex, and nonbinary people, as further examples of underrepresented and pathologized groups in medical research and healthcare provision.
Expected Learning Outcomes
After successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- critically examine historical and empirical research data to understand how gender gaps and biases, particularly male-dominated medical research and literature, have contributed to the neglect of women’s health and well-being over time.
- assess the current state of healthcare disparities, particularly how gender, race, and sexuality affect medical diagnoses, treatment options, and access to care for women and gender-diverse populations.
- gain knowledge about inclusive research design, including best practices for conducting health research that includes diverse populations and prioritizes the health needs of historically marginalized groups.
- propose actionable solutions to reduce gender and racial inequities in medical research, healthcare access, and outcomes, focusing on creating more inclusive and equitable healthcare systems.
Faculty
Teaching Methods
The course will be a mix of interactive lectures, class discussions, group work, student presentations, and feedback sessions. While I as faculty am responsible for the overall structure of the class, all of us will contribute to the production of knowledge. All students are expected and encouraged to engage actively in class sessions.
Evaluation and Grading
To be eligible for a passing grade in this course, all of the assigned work must be completed. Please note that 'extra credit' or 'make-up work' is not possible in this course.
The factors influencing the final grade and the proportional importance of each factor is shown below:
| Component | Weight |
| Participation (attendance and active participation in class) | 15% |
| Group Project (incl. presentations) | 35% |
| Discussion post (1 throughout the course) | 10% |
| Assignment (group based, in class) | 15% |
| Exam | 25% |
Below you can read more about the individual components.
Participation covers the following areas: attendance, level of preparation, ability to answer questions asked in class, involvement in class and group discussions, and the level of individual research and contribution to discussions.
Arriving late to class not only disturbs the instructor and your fellow students, but also affects your own standing in the class. Arriving late multiple times will affect your participation grade, and therefore your final grade as well.
Group Project
In this group assignment, you will collaboratively design an inclusive health research study that prioritizes the health needs of historically marginalized groups, specifically women but also racial minorities, transgender, intersex, and nonbinary individuals. Your study should employ best practices for conducting research that is inclusive, equitable, ethical, and culturally competent.
Discussion post
During the course there will be 1 thought provoking discussion post on a topic from class. Everyone will post a perspective/answer to the discussion of max 150 words.
Assignment
In groups and during class time, students will create a wiki for some of the current health related inequalities between sexes. The wiki will no more than 2 pages long and more information can be found under Assignments.
Information will also be given in class.
Exam
There will be one online exam by the end of the course; The exam will consist of an essay/case study question. The exam is based on all course material: readings (textbooks, articles, uploads, links, handouts), material covered in class, and field studies. The test is timed, open book with automatic upload to Canvas. More info will be provided in class.
Policies
Attendance
You are expected to attend all DIS classes and activities when scheduled, and I will actively monitor attendance. Absences will jeopardize your grade and your standing at DIS. Excused absences include only serious illness and participation in religious holidays.
If you miss multiple classes, the Director of Academic Support, and the Director of Student Affairs will be notified and they will follow-up with you to make sure that all is well. In the case of multiple absences, you will need to provide a doctor’s note.
Missing class: You must always notify your instructor about an absence a reasonable time in advance. Each failure to notify your faculty of an absence in advance will result in a deduction of 2 points off your final participation grade.
Laptop use and classroom etiquette
Use of laptop computers in class is allowed for the purpse of note taking only. Usage not related to note taking can prove distracting and is therefore unacceptable to the instructor, to other students, and to the objectives of the course. If you are using your laptop for reasons not related to class, it will affect your class participation grade significantly. Occasionally, depending on the topic being taught or the assignment task or exercise to fulfill, you will be required to close your laptops; therefore, you should always bring paper and a pen to class.
Cell phones and other electronic devices should be turned off and stored away. Texting etc. during class will have a negative impact on your participation grade as well. Students should also refrain from any other activity/behavior that may be disturbing to other students who are making the effort to be attentive. Please respect yourself and other students by not chatting with one another during class.
Preparing for class
Please make sure to read all the material assigned. Lectures will not necessarily cover the entire content of the scheduled readings, but both lectures and class discussions will be based upon a thorough knowledge of these. Lectures will often refer to previous lectures and readings. You therefore have an obligation to your fellow classmates and yourself to come to class prepared. If you have questions or need clarification about a lecture or reading do not hesitate to speak up. This is very important.
Assignments
Assignments and tests are submitted via Canvas. Submissions exceeding the word limit will be penalized by a third of a grade per additional page or part thereof (A- becomes B+, B becomes B- etc.).
Late assignments will be accepted, but your grade will be reduced by 2 thirds of a grade for each day or part thereof that it is late (A- becomes B, B becomes C+ etc.).
Readings (available through Canvas)
Articles:
Promoting Gender Equality: A Systematic Review of Interventions
Guthridge, M., Kirkman, M., et al., Springer Nature, 2022
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11211-022-00398-z
Gender disparities in clinical practice: are there any solutions? Scoping review of interventions to overcome or reduce gender bias in clinical practice
Alcalde-Rubio, L., Hernández-Aguado, I., et al., BMC, 2020
https://equityhealthj.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12939-020-01283-4
Sex differences in autoimmune diseases
Rhonda Voskuhl, Springer Nature, 2011
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/2042-6410-2-1
Gender Disparities in Cardiovascular Disease and Their Management: A Review
Betai, D., Ahmed, A.S., et al., 2024
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11148660
Book chapters/pages from:
Annabel Sowemimo, Welcome Collection, 2023
Medical Bondage: Race, Gender, and the Origins of American Gynecology
Deidre Cooper Owens, University of Georgia Press, 2018
Unwell Women - A Journey ThroughMedicine and Myth in a Man-Made World
Elinor Cleghorn, Weidenfeld & Nicholson, 2022
Pain and Prejudice: How the Medical System Ignores Women - And What We Can Do About It
Elinor Cleghorn, Greystone Books, 2021
Hormonal: A Conversation About Women's Bodies, Mental Health and Why We Need to Be Heard
Eleanor Morgan, Virago, 2019
All in Her Head - The Truth and Lies Early Medicine Taught Us About Women's Bodies and Why It Matters Today
Elizabeth Comen, HarperCollins, 2024
Academic Regulations
Please make sure to read the Academic Regulations on the DIS website. There you will find regulations on:
DIS - Study Abroad in Scandinavia - www.DISabroad.org
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|