220.633.79
Personal Agency Approaches to Catalyze Gender Equity and Development
Location
Internet
Term
Summer Institute
Department
International Health
Credit(s)
2
Academic Year
2025 - 2026
Instruction Method
Synchronous Online
M, Tu, W, Th, 8:00am - 12:00pm
Auditors Allowed
Yes, with instructor consent
Available to Undergraduate
No
Grading Restriction
Letter Grade or Pass/Fail
Course Instructor(s)
Contact Name
Frequency Schedule
One Year Only
Resources
Public health programming often overlooks the role of humans’ inner capacity to deal with the increasingly complex environment and challenges. A key component of this inner capacity is one’s personal agency – learn more about how this concept can be operationalized and utilized to catalyze health and development.
There is a growing movement in public health research and programming to move towards human flourishing – learn about how personal agency interventions can catalyze progress towards the sustainable development goals.
Join us in an in-depth exploration of personal agency and its pivotal role in women’s empowerment.
Provides definitions of personal agency from various academic traditions as well as examines the key scientific debates that exist. Explores the role that personal agency interventions can play in shaping a more equitable and healthier world, through the lens of global gender equity and health development initiatives. Analyzes the research landscape to uncover challenges related to measuring agency, implementing effective agency interventions, and understanding their integration with existing health and development efforts. Examines the complexities of personal agency and empowerment in the context of global development and gender equity efforts.
Learning Objectives
Upon successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
- Explain the scientific basis of personal agency for public health and its potential role for gender-informed programming
- Analyze the global focus on supporting human flourishing and inner development, including personal agency
- Link existing measurements of agency to applications in programs
- Design a behavioral intervention approach using principles of personal agency for a specific public health challenge
Methods of Assessment
This course is evaluated as follows:
- 30% Discussion
- 40% Written Assignment(s)
- 30% Presentation(s)
Enrollment Restriction
This is a graduate level course. Students must have a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.