Complementary Medicines in Contemporary Society unit (CSA120)

Online

Introduction

This unit examines the role of complementary medicines in contemporary healthcare through interdisciplinary perspectives from Pharmacy, Sociology, Law, and traditional health practices.

You will develop foundational knowledge of widely used complementary medicine approaches, including herbal medicine, naturopathy, traditional medical systems, medicinal cannabis, and commonly used supplements such as nutraceuticals and vitamins.

You will also explore debates about evidence and complementary medicine, and consider the complex relationship between orthodox medicine and the field of complementary and alternative medicine and gain an understanding of ethical and legal issues related to complementary medicine including the regulation of complementary medicine products and practitioners.

Summary

Unit name	Complementary Medicines in Contemporary Society
Unit code	CSA120
Credit points	12.5
College/School	Health School of Pharmacy and Pharmacology
Discipline	Pharmacy|Law|Sociology and Criminology
Coordinator	Doctor Vanni Caruso
Available as an elective?	Yes
Delivered By	University of Tasmania
Level	Introductory

Availability

Location	Study period	Attendance options		Available to
Online	Semester 1
Online	Semester 2

Note

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Units are offered in attending mode unless otherwise indicated (that is attendance is required at the campus identified). A unit identified as offered by distance, that is there is no requirement for attendance, is identified with a nominal enrolment campus. A unit offered to both attending students and by distance from the same campus is identified as having both modes of study.

Key Dates

Study Period	Start date	Census date	WW date	End date
Semester 1	22/2/2026	16/3/2026	19/4/2026	13/6/2026
Semester 2	5/7/2026	27/7/2026	30/8/2026	24/10/2026

* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).

Unit census dates currently displaying for 2026 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2026 will be available from the 1st October 2025. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

• Discuss the evolving role of Complementary Medicines with a particular focus on Australia.
• Analyse the legal, regulatory, and ethical frameworks governing the safety, availability, and promotion of Complementary Medicines in Australia and internationally.
• Appraise the use of evidence in decisions to use complementary medicines.

Fee Information

Field of Education	Commencing Student Contribution 1,3	Grandfathered Student Contribution 1,3	Approved Pathway Course Student Contribution 2,3	Domestic Full Fee 4
060501	$1,192.00	$1,192.00	not applicable	$2,862.00

• Available as a Commonwealth Supported Place
• HECS-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility³
• FEE-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility⁴

¹ Please refer to more information on student contribution amounts.
² Please refer to more information on eligibility and Approved Pathway courses.
³ Please refer to more information on eligibility for HECS-HELP.
⁴ Please refer to more information on eligibility for FEE-HELP.

If you have any questions in relation to the fees, please contact UniConnect or more information is available on StudyAssist.

Please note: international students should refer to What is an indicative Fee? to get an indicative course cost.

Requisites

Mutual Exclusions

You cannot enrol in this unit as well as the following:

XBR120

Teaching

Teaching Pattern	This unit is offered online and students are expected to complete approximately 10 hours of independent learning per week.
Assessment	Online quizzes (20%)|Digital Poster (40%)|Oral Presentation (40%)
Timetable	View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required	No required reading materials.
Recommended	Recommended readings will be provided by your Unit Coordinator via the Reading List link in MyLO, or the Reading List on the University Library website.

The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.