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Global Public Health in South Africa

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Program Quick Facts

Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Faculty Leader: Prof Tammy Wilks
Program duration: 3 weeks
Number of Units: 4 units
Arrival Date: June 28-29, 2025
Departure Date: July 18, 2025
BOSP Program Advisor: Ash Gauer - email or schedule an appointment.
General Eligibility Requirements: Application Process
Academic Prerequisites: N/A
Activity Level: Light. Activities may include walking tours, easy/short hikes, museums, and other site visits.
Program Fee: $1,500 (to be confirmed)
Weather: The month of July is considered part of the Winter season in Cape Town.

General Description

This course introduces you to how the field of global public health shaped and is shaped by South Africa, past and present. It explores the practices and approaches of a range of health practitioners in South Africa, including medical and indigenous health practitioners who operate in various institutions and interact with different communities, including university students, chronic patients, research participants and ordinary citizens. Finally, we investigate the ethics of care required to work with different patients and why these ethics matter.

Living and Travel Conditions

Program participants live in a self-catering residence in the neighborhood of Rondebosch. Participants are required to share apartments as single accommodation is not available.   They are housed in two-bedroomed apartments with shared kitchens and bathrooms. Each apartment houses two participants in their own private room. Shops, restaurants and a laundromat are easily accessed from the residence. 

Faculty

Prof. Tammy Wilks is a professor in the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Cape Town. Her research examines the dynamics of conflict and coexistence amongst religious communities in Nairobi, Kenya. She was a visiting professor at Yale University and Colgate University before her tenure at the University of Cape Town.

Prerequisites and Expectations

Students are required to attend every session and actively participate in class discussions and activities. Students should come prepared and are encouraged to actively engage with all course materials, including readings, videos, and supplementary resources. Students are expected to treat their peers and instructors with respect. Students should approach the program with an open mind, ready to explore diverse perspectives and engage in constructive feedback. Students must adhere to all academic deadlines. Timely submission of work is essential to maintain the flow of the program and ensure equitable participation.

Grading Basis

Letter Grade. Grading will be based on 3 fieldwork reports. 40% of the overall grade will be given for preparation and active participation in class. Letter grades will form the basis of the final overall assessment, with some marks being given for familiarity with reading material and active participation in class discussions.

Program Cost

Students pay a highly subsidized program fee based on the length of the program. This fee covers only a small part of the total costs and may increase in the future. Students are only charged the program fee and not per-unit tuition.

​​​​Stanford provides program participants with: 

  • Housing for the duration of the program
  • All meals for the duration of the program
  • Onsite transportation for all program activities
  • All program excursions and activities for the duration of the program

Stanford does not provide program participants with:

  • International travel costs to and from the program location
  • Immigration expenses, including passport and visa costs
  • Recommended immunization/vaccination costs
  • Course materials
  • Other incidental expenses (such as laundry and souvenirs or personal travel)

Financial Assistance

BOSP is committed to ensuring access for all students, regardless of financial circumstances, to global learning opportunities. Financial need will have no impact on program admission decisions. All applicants will be automatically considered for financial assistance towards the program fee and travel grant. Students with demonstrated financial need, as determined by the Financial Aid Office, will be notified by BOSP regarding their eligibility for a fee waiver of up to 100% of the program fee. Award amounts will be announced after acceptance, and students will have time to consider their plans before committing to participate. Students receiving a Federal Pell Grant may be eligible for additional federal funding as determined by the Financial Aid Office.

Quarter-Length Programs

BOSP offers quarter-length programs in Cape Town in Autumn and Spring quarters.