Monash University Handbook 2011 Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Synopsis

This unit will consider the unique challenges involved with preparing for, responding to, and recovering from emerging disaster health threats. The unit will define 'emerging' disaster health threats and provide international and national examples as case-studies. The unit will explore the current evidence-base for emerging disaster health threats, appropriate academic concepts, theoretical frameworks and/or international standards, and explore the infrastructure and inter-agency involvement required for the response to these events. This unit will conclude by examining the social implications of responding to emerging health threats including an examination of the ethical issues involved with the provision of care during emerging disaster health threats.

Objectives

By the completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. Critically review the classification, literature and evidence-base of emerging traditional and non-traditional events which threaten national health security and community safety.
2. Analyse the unique challenges associated with preparing for, responding to, and recovering from, emerging disaster health threats in terms of appropriate academic concepts, theoretical frameworks and/or international standards.
3. Critique the policy, infrastructure and inter-agency involvement required for the effective response to these emerging disaster health threats..
4. Discuss the socio-cultural and the ethical issues involved in these emerging disaster health threats.
5. Identify education requirements and research opportunities as a consequence of emerging disaster health threats.

Assessment

Two minor assignments (1500 words each)(50%)
Major assignment (3,000 words)(50%)

Chief examiner(s)

Ingrid Brooks

Contact hours

It is expected that students will complete sufficient personal study time (for a total workload of 13 hours per week) over the 12 week semester in order to satisfy the reading, online activities, and assignment expectations of the unit. Within this total, students are also required to attend a 3 day (24 hours) on-campus intensive.

Prerequisites

MDM4010 or equivalent studies or field experience to demonstrate sufficient background to successfully undertake this Unit as determined by the Course coordinator