Global Studies Courses 2009-10

BUSI788R/BUSI798R
Doing Business in Costa Rica: The Business of Public Health

Addressing the group

Students visit a butterfly farm

Manuel Antonio National Park

Doka Coffee Estate

Among the many nations currently struggling to deliver equitable and cost effective public health systems to meet the expectations of their citizens, Costa Rica merits attention for its successes and challenges. A developing country by most standards, Costa Rica has produced health statistics as good as—and in some cases better than—more developed countries. This course will look at the intersection of business, healthcare and environment in this emerging economy. Students will be immersed in the country’s abundant culture and rich ecosystems while exploring how corporations, government, and non-profits participate in resource usage, supply chain, social marketing, and financing of the healthcare system. This course is led by the Center for Social Value Creation.

Students will look at the historical and cultural context for the Costa Rican public health organizations and assess how it operates in the present economic, political and social structure of the country. Additionally, the course will have a central focus on the environment as it is both a crucial economic resource to this tropical nation and a key part of disease prevention and public health solutions. Finally, the course will draw parallels to the United States system, and the challenges of adequately meeting the needs of all stakeholders involved in the system.

Cultural activities include exploring Costa Rica’s natural resources. Students will hike in a cloud forest at Poás Volcano National Park and visit Manuel Antonio National Park, one of the most biodiverse areas in the world. Tentative business visits include Merck & Co, the National Institute for Biodiversity, and a small health clinic run by the Costa Rican Humanitarian Foundation.

Note:

• There is a $500 penalty if you drop the course after the end of the drop/add period, September 14th.
• The Costa Rica course will be abroad January 8th (depart US and arrive in CR night of the 8th), through Jan 17th (depart CR, no activities planned that day, students will stay in San Jose the night of the 16th).
• Please do not purchase any airline tickets until enrollment for the class is confirmed, after September 15th.