Professor: Tinajero Course format: Seminar Number of respondents: 12 Total Enrollment: 13 Class Composition: Froshs: 0 Sophs: 2 Jrs: 4 Srs: 6 Concs: 4 Non-Concs: 7 Don't Know: 0

Instructor Average: 1.88 Course Average: 1.71

"Comparative Health Systems" requires that students possess a basic knowledge and understanding of health care systems, since the goal of the course, according to the instructor, is to introduce the concept of a national health system and its different variations to the enrollees. In addition, the instructor intends for students to develop a competence for conducting cross-national and historical comparisons of health care systems.

The instructor based his grading policy on the idea that work could be improved. He provided feedback on projects and then allowed the reviewers time to correct the work before resubmitting it for a grade. According to students, the instructor adapted his teaching techniques to incorporate student interests into the curriculum as well as to ensure that the respondents understood the material. The visual learners found his overhead slides to be of much help. The reviewers found the instructor's lectures to be dry and rambling, although they enjoyed the stories about his youth.

The students spent, on average, two to five hours per week on the course work outside of class. The workload consisted of two papers, one presentation, and frequent text and article readings. The amount of effort devoted to the material ranged from a little to a lot, depending on how much time the reviewers needed to understand the subject matter. The respondents found the speakers and the energy of the instructor to be motivational. They enjoyed his teaching style as well as the course material itself. Overall, the curriculum fascinated the students, as it provided them with a unique perspective on health care. There were many opportunities for participation in class. The instructor did not observe Reading Period; instead, student presentations were scheduled for that time.

Reviewers found this course to be a useful one because they learned how to apply the concepts taught by the instructor to other life situations. They were satisfied with their decision to take this class.

View BC/0168 in the Brown Online Course Announcement.