Health and Social Policy

Dozent/in	Ass.-Prof. David Weisstanner
Veranstaltungsart	Masterseminar
Code	FS261020
Semester	Frühjahrssemester 2026
Durchführender Fachbereich	Gesundheitswissenschaften
Studienstufe	Master
Termin/e	Mo, 23.02.2026, 10:15 - 12:00 Uhr, E.509 Mo, 23.02.2026, 12:30 - 14:00 Uhr, E.509 Mo, 02.03.2026, 10:15 - 12:00 Uhr, E.509 Mo, 02.03.2026, 12:30 - 14:00 Uhr, E.509 Mo, 09.03.2026, 10:15 - 12:00 Uhr, E.509 Mo, 09.03.2026, 12:30 - 14:00 Uhr, E.509 Mo, 16.03.2026, 10:15 - 12:00 Uhr, E.509 Mo, 16.03.2026, 12:30 - 14:00 Uhr, E.509 Mo, 23.03.2026, 10:15 - 12:00 Uhr, E.509 Mo, 23.03.2026, 12:30 - 14:00 Uhr, E.509 Mo, 30.03.2026, 10:15 - 12:00 Uhr, E.509 Mo, 30.03.2026, 12:30 - 14:00 Uhr, E.509 Mo, 13.04.2026, 10:15 - 12:00 Uhr, E.509 Mo, 13.04.2026, 12:30 - 14:00 Uhr, E.509 Mo, 20.04.2026, 10:15 - 12:00 Uhr, E.509 Mo, 20.04.2026, 12:30 - 14:00 Uhr, E.509 Mo, 27.04.2026, 10:15 - 12:00 Uhr, E.509 Mo, 27.04.2026, 12:30 - 14:00 Uhr, E.509 Mo, 04.05.2026, 10:15 - 12:00 Uhr, E.509 Mo, 04.05.2026, 12:30 - 14:00 Uhr, E.509 Mo, 11.05.2026, 10:15 - 12:00 Uhr, E.509 Mo, 11.05.2026, 12:30 - 14:00 Uhr, E.509 Mo, 18.05.2026, 10:15 - 12:00 Uhr, E.509 Mo, 18.05.2026, 12:30 - 14:00 Uhr, E.509 Do, 11.06.2026, 14:00 - 15:30 Uhr, HS 9 (Prüfung)
Umfang	4 Semesterwochenstunden
Inhalt	This course examines health policy and social policy developments in a comparative perspective, with a particular focus on Switzerland. It looks at how health and social protection systems differ across countries, how political actors, institutions, and public opinion shape these policies, and how they affect health outcomes and inequalities. The course also addresses current policy challenges such as workforce shortages, political polarization, climate change, and the integration of health and social care. The course includes several guest lecturers and a field trip to the Swiss Parliament in Bern with a meeting with a member of parliament (Wednesday 18.03.2026, 17:30-20:00).
E-Learning	All teaching material is provided via the e-learning platform Moodle or is available on internet.
Lernziele	By the end of the course, students will be able to: • Explain main concepts and theories of health and social policy in a comparative context. • Analyse how political actors, institutions, and public opinion shape policy and outcomes. • Apply these approaches to real-world cases and evaluate current policy challenges in Switzerland and beyond.
Voraussetzungen	Overall grade of 4.0 or better.
Sprache	Englisch
Anmeldung	Moodle: https://elearning.hsm-unilu.ch/course/view.php?id=1000
Leistungsnachweis	• Final written examination (65%) • Group presentation of policy case study (25%) • Active participation (10%) IMPORTANT: In order to earn credits and participate at the exam registration via Uni Portal within the exam registration period is MANDATORY. Further information: www.unilu.ch/en/study/courses-exams-regulations/health-sciences-and-medicine/exams/
Abschlussform / Credits	Active participation, individual contribution, group presentation, and successful examination / 6 Credits
Hinweise	Teaching methods: Individual reading, lectures, guest lectures, presentations of students (policy case studies), interactive exercises.
Hörer-/innen	Ja
Kontakt	david.weisstanner@unilu.ch
Material	Teaching material is based on slides, scientific articles and book chapters, exercises, guest lectures, and group presentations of policy case studies.