School of Medicine,
Faculty of Health
CAM529
Introduction to Public Health
Unit Outline
Semester 1, 2015
What is the Unit About?
Unit Description*
This unit introduces the scope of public health practice in the 21st century and the social, political and economic context within which public health practitioners operate. The unit provides an introduction to the whole postgraduate public health programme. It outlines what we mean by the principles of public health and explores the factors that influence health.
The unit combines theoretical and practical material to assist students to understand the social and economic determinants of health, the importance of improved equity to raising health standards worldwide, nationally and locally, and the ways in which communities can be engaged and empowered to identify and address issues that affect their health. Different health outcomes for people across a range of communities will be critically examined in relation to public health practice.
Intended Learning Outcomes*
On completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- Describe and discuss different definitions of health and consider these definitions in relevant contexts.
- Describe and discuss models of the determinants of health and the implications of their application.
- Define public health and its principle components and activities.
- Discuss the development of public health within Australian and international contexts.
- Discuss the relationship between poverty, deprivation and social exclusion and health.
- Define and discuss the concept of inequalities in health and current strategies to combat these inequalities.
- Describe and discuss public health priority issues within a local, national and international context
- Identify and discuss key challenges to public health, including globalisation, technology and social change.
- Describe and discuss the links between the ecological challenge and health of populations.
- Critically explore the impact of public health policy and health funding at the local, national and international level.
Graduate Quality Statement
Successful completion of this unit supports your development of course learning outcomes, which describe what a graduate of a course knows, understands and is able to do. Course learning outcomes are available from the Course Coordinator. Course learning outcomes are developed with reference to national discipline standards, Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF), any professional accreditation requirements and the University of Tasmania's Graduate Quality Statement.
The University of Tasmania experience unlocks the potential of individuals. Our graduates are equipped and inspired to shape and respond to the opportunities and challenges of the future as accomplished communicators, highly regarded professionals and culturally competent citizens in local, national, and global society. University of Tasmania graduates acquire subject and multidisciplinary knowledge and skills and develop creative and critical literacies and skills of inquiry. Our graduates recognise and critically evaluate issues of social responsibility, ethical conduct and sustainability. Through respect for diversity and by working in individual and collaborative ways, our graduates reflect the values of the University of Tasmania.
Alterations to the unit as a result of student feedback*
The unit has been updated to incorporate new evidence and changes in policy and practice.
Prior knowledge &/or skills
Admission to the course: Graduate Certificate and Diploma in Public Health or Masters of Public Health
How will I be assessed?
Assessment schedule*
Assessment task | Date due | Percent weighting | Links to Intended Learning Outcomes |
Assignment 1.1: Activity Module responses – Module 1 | Monday 9th March at 5pm | 1% | 1-11 |
Assignment 1.2: Activity Module responses – Module 2 | Monday 16th March at 5pm | 1% | 1-11 |
Assignment 1.3: Activity Module responses – Module 3 | Monday 30th March at 5pm | 1% | 1-11 |
Assignment 1.4: Activity Module responses – Module 4 and one DB post by completed by this week from Modules 1-4 | Monday 13th April at 5pm | 1% plus 6% | 1-11 |
Assignment 2: | Monday 20th April at 5pm | 30% | 1,2,3,5,6,7 |
Assignment 1.5: Activity Module responses – Module 5 | Monday 27th April at 5pm | 1% | 1-11 |
Assignment 1.6: Activity Module responses – Module 6 | Monday 4th May at 5pm | 1% | 1-11 |
Assignment 1.7: Activity Module responses – Module 6 | Monday 11th May at 5pm | 1% | 1-11 |
Assignment 1.8: Activity Module responses – Module 8 and one DB post by completed by this week from Modules 5-8 | Monday 25th May at 5pm | 1% plus 6% | 1-11 |
Assignment 3: Meeting Paper. | Monday 1st June | 50% |
Assessment details
Assessment task 1: Activity Module Responses
Task description | The Discussion Board is an important forum that promotes interaction and discussion between you and your fellow students. Online studies can be isolating if there are no opportunities for interaction with your fellow students. For this unit you are required to take the time to interact with fellow students through the Discussion Board. Modules 1 to 8 include activities (Activity 1.1 to Activity 8.1) that contain questions for you to reflect on. You are encouraged to complete each of the activities included in the Modules and post your thoughts about the questions on the Discussion Board. Challenge each other's views (respectfully). Ask each other questions. Pose questions of your own. Your options for interaction are not limited to just the questions in the module. For assessment, you are required to submit EIGHT responses of at least two sentences in length to ONE activity question outlined in EACH of the Modules 1 to 8 (Activity 1.1 to Activity 8.1). These responses will attract one mark per module (See assessment rubric for more information). As well as discussion board participation for each module, you are required to post TWO 250 word discussion board responses which are also submitted through MyLo for marking. These longer responses should be written and referenced according to the academic conventions outlined in the assessment rubric. One of these 250 word responses should address one activity of your choice from module 1-4, and the other should address one activity of your choice from module 5-8. Submit your 250 word responses through the MyLO Assignment Dropbox. Make sure your submitted responses have a title that clearly explains which of the Activity numbers your responses relate to. Your long responses should also be submitted to the discussion board so your fellow students can view them. |
Assessment criteria | 20 marks
See assessment rubric on MyLO for assessment criteria for submitted posts. |
Links to unit's intended learning outcomes | 1-11 |
Task length | EIGHT responses of at least two sentences in length to ONE activity question outlined in EACH of the Modules 1 to 8 (Activity 1.1 to Activity 8.1). TWO 250 word discussion board responses which are also submitted through a MyLO dropbox for marking. |
Date due | Contribution to Discussion Board discussion is ongoing as per the Assessment Schedule but the Assignments submission (for the submitted 250 word posts) will close on Monday 13th April (for modules 1-5) and Monday 1st June at 5.00pm (for modules 5-8) and there will be NO EXTENSIONS possible |
Assessment task 2: Conference Abstract and presentation
Task description | You are required to prepare a conference abstract and accompanying recorded oral slide presentation for the Public Health Association of Australia's annual conference. The theme of the conference is "Public Health for All: responding to inequity and social disadvantage". Select your topic from one of the following public health areas:
Abstract content:
Abstract Guidelines: You should use the following conference guidelines to prepare your abstract:
Presentation Guidelines:
|
Assessment criteria | See Rubric on MyLO CONFERENCE ABSTRACT – 15% RECORDED ORAL SLIDE PRESENTATION – 15% 30% (15% of your grade is assigned to your conference presentation and 15% to your recorded oral slide presentation). |
Links to unit's intended learning outcomes | 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 |
Task length | Your abstract should be a maximum of 1000 words and your recorded presentation should be a maximum of 10 minutes in duration. |
Date due | Abstract and recorded presentation: Monday 20th April at 5pm Submit your abstract as an attachment to the assignment dropbox in MyLO. Make sure you write date and time details of the recorded oral slide presentation you want assessed in the dropbox 'comments' space when you submit your abstract. |
Assessment task 3: Meeting Paper
Task description | The World Health Organization (WHO) describes the levels of violence experienced by the world's women as 'a global public health problem of epidemic proportions, requiring urgent action'. In Australia, domestic, family and sexual violence is found across all cultures, ages and socio-economic groups, but the majority of those who experience these forms of violence are women. However, it is not possible to measure the true extent of the problem as most incidents of domestic, family and sexual violence go unreported. The social and economic costs of violence against women are considerable. In 2009 the National Council to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children (NCRVWC) estimated that violence against women and their children, including both domestic and non-domestic violence, cost the Australian economy approximately $14 billion. The Commonwealth Government is responsible for the over-arching government programs designed to reduce violence against women nationally. However, it is the state and territory governments that have the law enforcement responsibilities in relation to policing and prosecuting instances of domestic, family and sexual violence. You are a policy advisor to a State (of your choosing) government. Using the template provided (on MyLO), you are required to prepare a meeting paper for the Australian Health Minister's Advisory Committee, chaired by the Secretary of the Department and attended by Directors and Chief Executive Officers of health services. You should provide this Committee with a maximum of four policy recommendations regarding appropriate government policy responses to reduce domestic violence. |
Assessment criteria | See the Assignment 3 Assessment Rubric on MyLO. |
Links to unit's intended learning outcomes | 2,5,6,7,8,10 – See the 'Assignment 3 details' in the 'Assignments' folder on MyLO for information on the match between the learning outcomes and the criteria for this task. |
Task length | This meeting paper should be a maximum of 2500 words. |
Date due | Monday 1st June at 5pm |
How your final result is determined*
In order to achieve a Pass in this unit you will be required to submit all assignments and obtain 50% of aggregate marks.
Submission of assignments*
Written assignments must be submitted electronically by 5pm on the due date specified. Submission should normally be through the MyLO 'Assignment Dropbox', and direct email to the Coordinator should only be used if there are technical problems.
Check your Assignments with Turnitin
It is strongly recommended that you test your written Assignments (particularly those requiring a literature survey) using Turnitin before submitting them for marking. Turnitin is one of the tools used by the University of Tasmania to help staff and students manage issues related to academic integrity. It is a text matching system which compares a submitted assignment with text located in its databases of internet pages, published works, and submitted papers, and flags those assignments that may need to be examined more closely to determine if plagiarism has taken place.
If you get a low score, certainly anything below 25%, then well done! If you get a high score, particularly anything over 50%, then perhaps you need to check your assignment again and make sure you have used your own words or have correctly cited the authors you are quoting in your assignment. You have not been asked to submit your finished assignment via Turnitin, but your lecturers may use this tool on your assignment themselves if they believe there is grounds for suspecting plagiarism.
You can access the Turnitin tool via the 'Comparison upload' link on the online 'Academic Honesty' course, which is provided to every student in their list of MyLO courses. Find out more about Turnitin at //www.utas.edu.au/turnitin/info-for-students (Note: by using the Turnitin submission via 'Academic Honesty' your assignment is not added to the overall database, so resubmission after you have reworked it will not compare an assignment to its previous version.)
Requests for extensions
Extensions are only granted in exceptional circumstances and must be:
- requested in writing to the Unit Coordinator and include supporting evidence; and
- submitted at least three days prior to the due date.
Extensions for assignments may be granted by the Unit Coordinator or Lecturer.
Penalties*
The penalty for late submissions without an approved extension will be 5% of the mark each day for the first week beyond the due date. Thereafter the assignment will not be marked and will therefore receive a fail grade.
Review of results and appeals
In the first instance any student who believes that they have grounds for complaint regarding a mark must consult the Unit Coordinator.
If the matter is not resolved after discussion with the Unit Coordinator, the student may apply for formal review of assessment. Consult the Student Complaints website for further details
(//www.utas.edu.au/governance-legal/student-complaints).
Academic referencing*
In your written work you will need to support your ideas by referring to scholarly literature, works of art and/or inventions. It is important that you understand how to correctly refer to the work of others, and how to maintain academic integrity.
Failure to appropriately acknowledge the ideas of others constitutes academic dishonesty (plagiarism), a matter considered by the University of Tasmania as a serious offence.
Choose either APA6, Harvard, or Vancouver as a referencing style and use it consistently. You will find Endnote Software, available via this link, an invaluable resource for use throughout the course: http://utas.libguides.com/endnote.
For information on presentation of assignments, including referencing styles:
http://utas.libguides.com/referencing.
The University library provides information on presentation of assignments, including referencing stylesand should be referred to when completing tasks in this unit.
Please read the following statement on plagiarism. Should you require clarification please see your unit coordinator or lecturer.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is a form of cheating. It is taking and using someone else's thoughts, writings or inventions and representing them as your own; for example, using an author's words without putting them in quotation marks and citing the source, using an author's ideas without proper acknowledgment and citation, copying another student's work.
If you have any doubts about how to refer to the work of others in your assignments, please consult your lecturer or tutor for relevant referencing guidelines. You may also find the Academic Honesty site on MyLOof assistance.
The intentional copying of someone else's work as one's own is a serious offence punishable by penalties that may range from a fine or deduction/cancellation of marks and, in the most serious of cases, to exclusion from a unit, a course or the University.
The University and any persons authorised by the University may submit your assessable works to a plagiarism checking service, to obtain a report on possible instances of plagiarism. Assessable works may also be included in a reference database. It is a condition of this arrangement that the original author's permission is required before a work within the database can be viewed.
For further information on this statement and general referencing guidelines, see the Plagiarism and Academic Integrity page on the University web site or the Academic Honesty site on MyLO.
Academic misconduct*
Academic misconduct includes cheating, plagiarism, allowing another student to copy work for an assignment or an examination, and any other conduct by which a student:
- seeks to gain, for themselves or for any other person, any academic advantage or advancement to which they or that other person are not entitled; or
- improperly disadvantages any other student.
Students engaging in any form of academic misconduct may be dealt with under the Ordinance of Student Discipline, and this can include imposition of penalties that range from a deduction/cancellation of marks to exclusion from a unit or the University. Details of penalties that can be imposed are available in Ordinance 9: Student Discipline – Part 3 Academic Misconduct.
What learning opportunities are there?
MyLO
MyLO is the online learning environment at the University of Tasmania. This is the system that will host online discussion, provide learning resources (readings, etc.) and engage you in other activities such as self-tests and surveys.
Getting help with MyLO
It is important that you are able to access and use MyLO as part of your study in this unit. To find out more about the features and functions of MyLO, and to practice using them, visit the Getting Started in MyLO unit. For access to information about MyLO and a range of step-by-step guides in pdf, word and video format, visit the MyLO Student Support pageon the University website.
If something is not working as it should, contact the Service Desk or Request IT Help Online.
Resources
Required readings
The modules in this unit will draw on the following three texts. It is recommended that you have access to them through the library in order to complete this unit.
- Baum F. (2008). The New Public Health (3rd Edition). Melbourne: Oxford University Press
- Hanlon P & Carlisle S & Lyon A (2012). The Future Public Health Open University UK. ISBN: 9780335243556
- Flemming, ML., Parker, E. (2012). Introduction to Public Health. Sydney: Elsevier
This is a very useful revision text for those who feel they may need to brush up their skills in tertiary study, information research, critical thinking and academic writing:
- Craig C. (2009). Study Skills for Health and Social Care Students. London: Sage.
Textbooks can be purchased from Booktopia - Order Online.
Recommended and further readings
- Mooney G. (2012) The Health of Nations: Towards A New Political Economy. Zed Books ISBN: 97801780320595
- Mooney G. (2009) Challenging Health Economics Oxford University Press USA. ISBN: 9780199235971
- Keleher H. & MacDougall C. (Eds). (2009). Understanding health: a determinants approach Oxford University Press Melbourne. ISBN 0195574907, 9780195574906
- Lin V. (2007). Public Health in Australia: the organised effort Allen & Unwin. ISBN: 1865088757, 9781865088754
Available for download from the Web:
- Wilkinson R, Marmot M. (2003). Social Determinants: the solid facts. (2nd Edition). WHO, Geneva. Available at: http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/98438/e81384.pdf
- National Environmental Health Strategy, 2012-2015. Department of Health, Canberra. Available at: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/health-pubhlth-publicat-environ.htm
All further required readings will either be available from e-Journals accessed through the University of Tasmania Library website, or from additional readings that will be made available to you online.
In addition you will be expected to research your own resources relevant to the assignment topics and discussions.
Reading Lists
Reading Lists provide direct access to all material on unit reading lists in one place. This includes eReadings and items in Reserve. You can access the Reading List for this unit from the link in MyLO, or by going to the Reading Lists page on the University Library website.
Equipment, materials, software, accounts
You will find Endnote Software, available via this link, an invaluable resource for use throughout the course: http://utas.libguides.com/endnote
Online study resources for Postgraduate students
A suite of resources has been developed specifically with Postgraduate students enrolled in Health courses at UTAS. The Postgraduate Support site can be found at //www.utas.edu.au/medicine/medicine/postgrad/postgrad-support
Library
University of Tasmania electronic Library resources are available to you when you are enrolled as a student. You will be able to conduct Catalogue and Database searches, access the range of Electronic journals and download selected papers. The Library's information page at http://www.utas.edu.au/library provides you with the information you need to get started.
Activities
Learning expectations
The University is committed to high standards of professional conduct in all activities, and holds its commitment and responsibilities to its students as being of paramount importance. Likewise, it holds expectations about the responsibilities students have as they pursue their studies within the special environment the University offers.
The University's Code of Conduct for Teaching and Learning states:
Students are expected to participate actively and positively in the teaching/learning environment. They must attend classes when and as required, strive to maintain steady progress within the subject or unit framework, comply with workload expectations, and submit required work on time.
Details of teaching arrangements*
This course is delivered online.
Core unit content will be delivered via MyLO, and you are also required to engage in online discussion forums.
Specific attendance/performance requirements*
This course is delivered online.
You are expected to regularly participate in the online discussion and assessment activities, as per the unit and assessment schedules.
Teaching and learning strategies
This Unit is based on the three recommended texts listed above. As you work through the readings for each module it is important that you reflect on your own experiences when thinking about the course material covered.
The Discussion Board is likely to be new to many of you. You are encouraged to share your ideas and thoughts about the questions posed in each module on the Discussion Board. This will help you to consider other student's points of view in formulating your own views about each of the topics being considered in the modules.
Work Health and Safety (WHS)
The University is committed to providing a safe and secure teaching and learning environment. In addition to specific requirements of this unit you should refer to the University's Work Health and Safety website and policy.
Communication
News and announcements will be posted to MyLO News, and students will be expected to be aware of the content of such posts within 48 hours of them being posted.
All questions about assessment that have not been answered in the descriptions here in the Unit Outline, or in the instructions on MyLO, can be asked using the Q&A Discussion Forum on MyLO.
Emails should be addressed to XXXXXXXXXX and XXXXXXXXXXXXX
UTAS recognises that feedback is an important part of the learning process. Feedback is provided in many ways, and from different sources. Feedback from teaching staff may be in the form of verbal comments made during seminars, written comments made on submitted assessment tasks, web discussion board input, checklists on criteria sheets or formal interview processes. Feedback may also come from your colleagues in the form of informal comments during assignment discussions or group work, or written peer or supervisor assessment of skills.
Teaching staff aim to mark all assessment tasks and return them to students within three weeks of submission.
Further information and assistance
If you are experiencing difficulties with your studies or assignments, have personal or life-planning issues, disability or illness which may affect your course of study, you are advised to raise these with the unit coordinator in the first instance.
There is a range of University-wide support services available to you including Student Learning Support, Student Advisers, Disability Services, and more which can be found on the Student Support and Development page of the University website.
Should you require assistance in accessing the Library, visit their website for more information.
Unit schedule
Week | Date beginning | Topic/ Module/ Focus Area | Activities | Resources/ Readings/ Further Information |
1 | 23/2 | Introductory Exercise | Available on MyLO | Assignment 1.1 – 1.8 – see Assessment Schedule |
2 | 2/3 | Module 1 | Available on MyLO | |
3 | 9/3 | Module 2 | Available on MyLO | |
4 | 16/3 | Module 3 | Available on MyLO | |
5 | 23/3 | Module 3 continued | Available on MyLO | |
6a | 30/3 | Module 4 | Available on MyLO | |
Mid-semester break Thursday 2 April – Wed 8 April | ||||
6b | Thurs 9/4 | Module 4 continued | Available on MyLO | |
7 | 13/4 | Module 5 | Available on MyLO | Submit one 250 word DB post to MyLO dropbox by Monday 13/4 5pm |
8 | 20/4 | Module 5 | Available on MyLO | Assignment 2: Conference Abstract and presentation |
9 | 27/4 | Module 6 | Available on MyLO | |
10 | 4/5 | Module 7 | Available on MyLO | |
11 | 11/5 | Module 8 | Available on MyLO | |
12 | 18/5 | Module 8 continued | ||
13 | 25/5 | Study week | Submit one 250 word DB post to MyLO dropbox by Monday 25/5 5pm | |
Study Week | 1/6 | Assignment 3: due Monday 1 June by 5pm | ||
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Note: The open version of this document may have been altered from the original. Only pages on this site that display the CC licence and logo are licensed under a Creative Commons licence.
| Attribution information | |
|---|---|
| Title: | Unit Outline 'Introduction to Public Health' - Open Version |
| Source: | https://www.utas.edu.au/health/resources/open-resources/resources/courses/public-health/unit-outline-introduction-to-public-health |
| Author: | A/Prof Kate MacIntyre |
