SRH2002 - Indigenous Health and Well-being

Leader: Mr Lyell Wilson

Offered

Gippsland Second semester 2007 (Day)
Gippsland Second semester 2007 (Off-campus)
Mildura Second semester 2007 (Day)
Peninsula Second semester 2007 (Day)

Synopsis

This unit looks at the impact of colonisation and government legislation on the health and well being of Indigenous Australians. It also provides students with an overview of the complexity of Aboriginal health and ill health and examines access to health care systems and evaluates how Indigenous communities, remote, rural and urban practice self determination in the delivery of health care and well-being. The unit also moves the student from being a culturally aware to a culturally safe health professional.

Objectives

Upon successful completion of this unit the student will be able to:

1. express the knowledge and understandings they have gained of the diversity of Indigenous Australian cultures, histories and social organisations and of Indigenous perspectives on the concept of health and well-being.
2. describe the multi-dimensional effects of invasion and colonisation on Australian Indigenous societies and economies.
3. evaluate the impact of past and present government policies on Indigenous organisations, communities and individuals.
4. further develop their ability to evaluate/assess/analyse date and information and develop/construct/sustained arguments in written and oral formats.
5. describe/discuss/explain interdisciplinary perspectives and relate these perspectives to their studies.
6. develop the ability to articulate analyses on Indigenous health in oral form and to critically analyse relevant theoretical approaches to Australian Indigenous health.
7. demonstrate basic understanding of the importance of ethical research and respect for Indigenous worldviews, speaking positions and goals in relation to health.

Assessment

Compulsory Cultural workshop: 10%, Online cultural awareness test: Hurdle task, Scenario Task: 30%, Major essay (3000 words): 40%, Online cultural safety check: 20%

Contact hours

2 hrs lecture/seminar per week; One-day visit to community organisation; one-day compulsory cultural awareness workshop.