Undergraduate - UnitHSC1112 - Global Health: opportunities and challenges

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Synopsis

In this unit, we ask you to think about the vast and growing inequities in health that exist across the world and the challenges for people living in developing countries. We explore their underlying causes including: globalisation, transnational trade, tourism, rapid development, social and political transitions, climate change, violence and insecurity.
Using research reports and field experience from practical projects, we examine the wider context for working in international settings as well as the issues faced by Indigenous peoples, migrants and refugees.
We explore our responsibilities as 'global citizens' and we challenge you to think about ways you could make a difference.

Outcomes

1. Articulate their own values regarding health in the context of a globalizing world;
2. Compare and contrast initiatives to address global health challenges;
3. Identify opportunities for action and design relevant approaches to global health challenges;
4. Identify future global health challenges and their determinants;
5. Analyse the social determinants of global health; and
6. Critically reflect on contemporary debates regarding globalization and health.

Assessment

1. Hurdle requirement: Students are required to attend 80% of tutorials, unless they are able to provide medical or other certification.
2. Formative assessments (not graded) include:
Tutorial participation (Objectives 1 - 8)
Students will participate in small group and self-directed activities across the whole semester (mid and end semester)
Weekly reflective writing pieces (Objectives 1, 3, 5, 6)
Students will submit a reflective piece during each tutorial (500 words each). This will cover the weekly topic and encourage students to actively engage with the lecture and reading material.
3. Summative assessments include:
Reflective writing pieces (35%) (Objectives 1, 3, 5, 6)
Students to submit their 5 best weekly reflective posts (see formative assessment) on the weekly readings and lecture content (totalling 3,500 words)
Class tests (25%) (Objectives 2, 3, 4, 5)
2 x tests to be held during tutorials (weeks 6 & 12)
Assignment (40%) (Objectives 1 - 8)
Analysis of a global health issue using a 'social determinants' approach (2,500 words due mid-late semester)

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Brian Oldenburg

Contact hours

12 hours per week including contact time (1 hour lecture, 2hour tutorial), fieldwork and self-directed learning

Prerequisites

Nil

Co-requisites

Nil

Prohibitions

Nil