Comparative Health Policy & Law
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What You Need to Know
Do cultural differences dramatically influence health care policies and personal ethics? How do other countries approach the issues of aging, illness and death? Our Comparative Health Policy and Law seminar will help you cultivate your awareness of the features, strengths, and weaknesses of health systems in other countries. You’ll travel to London, Amsterdam and Geneva to expand your sense of what is inadvisable, possible, and desirable.
A student's prespective on the program:
"My experience abroad served as a stepping stone into lifestyles and opinions I was not exposed to before. During the summer of 2009 I had the opportunity to live and learn in London, Amsterdam, and Geneva. Through speaking with health economists, physicians, and ethicists, I learned how similar health care structures can have differences in health care practice due to cultural values. I was immersed in topics including smoking, sexual health education, euthanasia, and palliative care. As the United States attempts to provide national health care, I learned valuable information during our discussions related to the rationing of health care resources. I learned the value of using cost benefit, cost effectiveness, and cost utility calculations to make recommendations about the most effective treatments and medications."
"Living abroad also provided personal growth because living among different cultures provided a great way to learn about their customs and perspectives. For example, while traveling on public transportation in London, I quickly learned the American idea of “personal space” is truly an American mind-frame. On crowded buses and in lively restaurants I had opportunities to speak to locals about their country. My experience abroad taught me the importance of slowing down my busy schedule to allow for time to reflect. I also enhanced my critical thinking skills and gained a greater sense of global awareness. The knowledge I gained will help me be respectful of social norms that exist between different cultures and motivate me to learn more about cultural differences." Alisha S.; Biological Sciences; Hampton University
Students are required to take the following two courses:
Comparative Health Policy and Law
(PSC 500, 3 credits, undergraduate or graduate)
This will be a traveling course studying various issues in health policy and law as they are handled in different settings. The class will examine such matters as the care and treatment of the dying, the rationing of health care resources, the care and treatment of the elderly, the arguments for and against facilitating death in various ways and circumstances, and cultural differences in the understanding of illness, diagnosis, and treatment. The stay in London will be approximately two weeks.
The class will then spend a week in Amsterdam, where the focus will be on the delivery of health care in the Netherlands. The emphasis will be on the Dutch approach to decisions about dying, including physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia, and about the care of the elderly. The last part of the course will be spent in Geneva visiting the World Health Organization and other international organizations dealing with health care.
Independent Study
(PSC, 490/690, 3 credits, undergraduate or graduate)
This course consists of a research project on a topic jointly agreed upon by the student and the program director. Students will be expected to do the research independently and to write a research paper after the program ends.
Richard A. Ellison, professor of law at Syracuse University College of Law, teaches Health, Constitutional, and Family Law. Professor Ellison has lectured at a number of medical schools and hospitals regarding bioethics and law, and for a number of years has served on the Medical Ethics Committee of an Upstate New York teaching hospital. He has directed the program for the past seven years. Students are encouraged to contact Professor Ellison by e-mail: raelliso@law.syr.edu.
Admission to the course will be based on academic qualifications and seriousness of purpose. Applications are especially encouraged from those studying or intending to study medicine, law, health policy, sociology of medicine, health economics, public administration, health communication, nursing, social work, or other related fields. Enrollment will be limited.
Each student must attend the entire course to receive academic credit. Grades will be based on intensity of participation, a short paper written during the course, and a longer research paper completed after the traveling portion of the course.
Round-trip air transportation and ground transportation from the airport to the program site are included in the program fee. Students must return on the return flight date. Intercity air travel in Europe is also arranged by SU Abroad.
Students who wish to travel on the pre-arranged group flight must pay in full for the flight before March 24. The airline fee will not be refunded if the student withdraws at a later date.
Students who choose to arrange for their own round-trip air transportation must notify the SU Abroad office in writing at the time of application. Independent travelers must arrange their own air travel in Europe and their own airport transfers.
Students are housed in shared rooms in apartments and hotels rented by Syracuse University. Apartments in London include a small kitchen. Meals are not included, except for breakfast in Geneva and Amsterdam and some group meals.
| Program departs NYC: | May 26, 2010 |
| Housing begins: | May 27, 2010 |
| Program begins in London: | May 27, 2010 |
| Depart for Geneva: | June 13, 2010 |
| Depart for Amsterdam: | June 18, 2010 |
| Program ends in Amsterdam: | June 26, 2010 |
| Return flight to NYC: | June 26, 2010 |
| Application Deadline: | March 1* |
* Applications received after March 1 will be considered if there is still space in the program.
| UNDERGRADUATE (6 credits) | |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $5,591 (estimated) |
| Program Fee | $4,450 (2009 rate) |
| Total | |
| GRADUATE (6 credits) | |
| Tuition | $6,978 (estimated) |
| Program Fee | $4,450 (2009 rate) |
| Total | |
Please note: Program fee is estimated and subject to change.
Additional Financial Information: We estimate that students should budget accordingly for the following expenses:
Books & Supplies: $30
Personal: $500
Meals: $1,000
These figures are for expenses not covered in the tuition or program fee and are paid out-of-pocket.