Winter Quarter 2006
Case Studies

Introduction

A significant part of this course involves exploring a case study in population and health. Each section has been assigned one of five cases that we believe affect human health and pose significant social or political implications for human well-beings. The TAs will divide each section into a series of stakeholder groups. Those groups represent different perspectives (though coalitions may form); will identify the major issues of concern to them; determine a course of action that addresses these concerns; and be prepared to present and debate the issue from the point of view of their stakeholder group.

Each stakeholder group will present testimony before a Congressional subcommitte investigating governments' response to the disaster in determining whether or not legislative or other action should be initiated. T herefore, the stakeholder groups must make cogent arguments to the committee detailing the issues and their particular concerns.

For example, taking a case from previous years, if one of the case studies involved Eschericia coli in food, the four stakeholder groups might be: a meat packing plant, a fast food restaurant, the state department of health, and a law firm representing the victims of a foodborne outbreak linked to E. coli served at a fast food chain. The subcommittee was weighing whether government inspections should be increased, or left to self-regulation. The meat packing plant might form a coalition with the restaurant, and argue for self-regulation over government regulation of meat inspection.

Remember, the focus of this course is on Population and Health, therefore, each stakeholder group (and the section as a whole) needs to focus its effort on those issues related to the health of the population(s) concerned.

The Cases: DRAFT Scenarios - Please note that these are subject to change at this time.

Class Presentations

The class presentation will take the form ofa public hearing (before a subcommittee of a Congressional Committee). The instructors will conduct the heating while the TAs will perform as if they were the sergeant at arms -- organizing the groups presenting testimony. Each stakeholder group will testify before the hearing body by:

A. Preparing an oral presentation consisting of:

1. Identification of your stakeholder group and its relation to the issue
2. A concise outline (transparency or PowerPoint slide) of the main points of your presentation
3. Discussion of the cause of the problem in general which your group's solution will address
4. A plan that will prevent the spread of the problem (Keep in mind that convincing solutions must be politically and socially feasible and economically viable)
5. A least one original data graphic (transparency) to support your argument
6. A set of stapled handouts (one for each of the other stakeholder groups, plus one for the two TAs and the instructors)
Note that because of time constraints (each group will only have approximately 6 minutes to make their case), only one or two students in each stakeholder group should speak during the main presentation. The remaining tasks (e.g. forum question, graphics construction, handout) should be divided by the other students in the group. Your handout should clearly list the division of labor.

B. Preparing at least one question (30 seconds maximum) to be directed at one of the opposing stakeholder groups that will serve to either point out the strength of your group's position or a weakness in theirs. The question nned to be concisely stated, addressed to one or more of the other stakeholder groups in your section presenting testimony at the hearing. This question should reflect your stakeholders perspective, and highlight weaknesses of omission or commission in the other stakeholders presentation.

Written Paper

In addition, each group must write an essay from the point of view of their stakeholder group or of a particular facet of their stakeholder group. The final paper should be between 5-10 pages long, and should include graphics (charts, tables, figures, etc.) and proper references and citations.
It should:

1. Include all elements that are listed above under oral presentation.
2. Provide an overview of the problems of the case study and your group's relation to them.
3. Describe your stakeholders proposed solution. Support and/or critique the solution based on your stakeholder perspective. Specifically identify why the plan will succeed or fail given that critique.

Evaluation of Case Studies

Both the oral presentations and the papers will be graded on:

1. their explanation of the problem and how their group relates to/is affected by the problem
2. the persuasiveness, feasibility and originality of their proposed solution
3. the quality of their graphics and handouts, and
4. the thoughtfulness and efficacy of their forum question.

A single grade will be assigned to the paper. A separate grade will be assigned to the oral presentation and discussion.

Because this portion of your section grade invovles a group effort and we know from experience that not all members of the group may contribute equally -- although we hope that everyone does -- we will adjust each student's score for the case study based on the evaluation of their peers. That is, each member of the stakeholder group will be required to evaluate the contribution of each member of their stakeholder group (including their own) according to the criteria provided in your sections and using the form provided. We will then tabulate the scores and calculate a deviation from the mean. This may result in points being either added or subtracted from the group grade for an individual student. For instance if in a stakeholder group of 5 students, 2 were evaluated by their peers as contributing more than most, 2 were rated as being about average, and one was rated as contributing very little, and the presentation and paper were assigned a "B" grade, the two students who contribute most might get an A, the other two would get the B reflected by the group effort, and the under-performing student might receive a "C" or "D", or possibly even an "F".  So be warned.