HSC3011 - Contemporary health challenges

Leader(s): Prof Helen Keleher and Dr Belinda Crockett

Offered

Peninsula First semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

The unit explores global and local health challenges that are at the forefront of Australia's health sector. Students will critically examine the construction of contemporary health challenges including: the implications of global inequalities in health and health problems arising from war and terrorism and political violence such as the refugee crisis.

Objectives

By the completion of this unit, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. discuss in depth some key contemporary health challenges, such as HIV/AIDS, demonstrating awareness of multiple perspectives, including the ways in which different health professions approach the issues (and the strengths and weaknesses of these varied approaches) and exploring how integrated approaches to addressing the issues may be mounted across disciplines;
2. demonstrate an indepth understanding of global determinants of health;
3. consider the common and specific factors involved in the construction of various contemporary health challenges as being of 'high priority' with an understanding of the role that evidence and other factors, including the media, play in this process;
4. demonstrate the complex interplay of political, economic, legal and socio-cultural frameworks in shaping contemporary health challenges and how they are responded to;
5. identify and discuss the implications of ideology, values and power bases in determining our understanding (and prioritising) of contemporary public health challenges;
6. explore specific case studies of contemporary health challenges (global or local) and critically reflect on current strategies and approaches to responding to them.

Assessment

Individual journal: 25%
Group presentation: 25%
Individual research essay: 50%
Hurdle requirement: 80% attendance at tutorials.

Contact hours

One 1 hour lecture and one 2 hour tutorial/workshop

Prerequisites

Any one of: HSC1031, HSC1041 and HSC2042 or equivalent