Nursing Elective: Planetary Health

Curriculum guideline

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Course
NURS 3418
Discontinued
No
Course code
NURS 3418
Descriptive
Nursing Elective: Planetary Health
Department
Nursing
Faculty
Health Sciences
Credits
3.00
Start date
End term
Not Specified
PLAR
No
Semester length
15 Weeks
Max class size
32
Course designation
None
Industry designation
None
Contact hours

Online: 60 hours/semester

Method(s) of instruction
Other
Learning activities

Faculty will facilitate the student's integration of nursing theory and promote the development of critical inquiry, clinical reasoning and judgment through learning activities such as lectures, group discussions, client-based scenarios, and using electronic resources.

Course description
In this course, students explore planetary health and develop an awareness of the complex relationships between human health and the environment, focusing on the interconnectedness of ecological, social, political, and economic factors. Students will examine the impacts of environmental degradation, climate change, biodiversity loss, and other global challenges on planetary health and well-being. Students will review current and emerging issues in planetary health and expand their worldviews by engaging in critical inquiry and reflection. This course is delivered online, asynchronously.

This course is eligible for credit toward the Global Competency Certificate (GCC). This course is open to students outside of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program and is not specific to students studying in healthcare disciplines.
Course content
  • Planetary health
  • Anthropocene
  • Climate and environmental change
  • Ecosystems
  • Planetary boundaries
  • Global citizenship
  • Social responsibility
  • Social justice
  • Inequality and inequity
  • Disease ecology
  • Health policy
  • Population health
  • Social determinants of health
  • Mental health
  • Sustainability
  • Interdisciplinary collaboration
Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Discuss planetary health, including its interdisciplinary nature and global significance;
  2. Analyze pressing planetary health issues, including the impacts of climate and environmental change;
  3. Recognize key environmental and social challenges that impact ecosystems;
  4. Analyze the interconnectedness between human health and the health of the planet, including the concept of the Anthropocene;
  5. Describe the impact of environmental health on the global burden of disease;
  6. Explore how planetary health issues disproportionately affect some populations and explore strategies to address health inequities and inequalities;
  7. Expand thinking about implications for public health policies at the local, national, and international levels;
  8. Examine sustainable solutions that promote both human and planetary health;
  9. Reflect on ethical considerations related to planetary health, such as social responsibility and social justice and what it means to be a global citizen;
  10. Articulate the values and practices of cultural safety, humility, and anti-racist practices.
Means of assessment

This is a graded course, and the means of assessment are consistent with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy. The instructor's course outline will be available to students by the first class and list the evaluative components of the course.

Textbook materials
Students must purchase the required textbooks and materials. The instructor's course outline lists the required and optional textbooks and materials and will be available for students by the first class.
 
Prerequisites

Students in the BSN program are required to maintain a passing grade of 65% (C+) in all courses in order to progress in the program.