401531 Beyond the syllabus: Navigating coloniality in Public Health practice (Pj) (WiSe 2026/2027)

This participatory module invites students to explore how historical events and theories have shaped the way we approach public health today. Designed for those who are new to concepts like coloniality and colonialism, the course aims to connect these ideas to real-world professional practices.

In this module, students will critically examine the “hidden” historical influences that have shaped current public health systems, narratives and practices.

Through hands-on activities students will investigate the lasting effects of colonialism on issues such as knowledge, medicine, race and racism, islamophobia, gender, sexuality, mental health, migration, ableism and fatphobia.

Together, they will create a dynamic “Decolonial Toolkit” – a collection of resources such as discussion guides, zines, and flyers to encourage meaningful change in institutions and promote ethical practices. The resources developed in this course would serve to help students (like future BPH students) reflect and engage with these issues both in their studies and future careers.

In this dynamic and participatory module, students will have the possibility to:

Shape course topics and processes, due to the co-designed nature of the module. We decide together which topics to focus on and how!

Practice English in a safe environment - While instructor input will be mainly in English, students can decide which language (German or English) they want to use for course discussions, readings and developed resources. Engage with international topics without having to go abroad!

Use their curiosity, life experiences, and creativity to challenge and retell narratives that maintain discrimination and injustices in health.

Build a useful portfolio of practical tools that can be used future jobs, internships, or student initiatives to explain complex topics to others.

Learn to avoid real-world mistakes by recognising hidden biases in standard health data and policies, helping do work that actually help marginalized communities instead of unintentionally harming them.

Prepare for modern workplaces by developing the self-awareness and communication skills needed to work effectively in diverse professional backgrounds.

Join us in this collaborative and thought-provoking journey to reshape public health understanding and practice! No pre-existing knowledge needed, just a curious and open mind.