Course Outline

PUB707 Public Health Foundations

Course Coordinator:Bridie Kean (bkean@usc.edu.au) School:School of Health - Public Health

2024Semester 2

Online

Online You can do this course without coming onto campus.

Please go to usc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.

What is this course about?

Description

This is a foundation course where you will develop specialised public health knowledge and skills. Public health is multidisciplinary and focuses on creating health equity within and between communities and populations by promoting health, preventing disease and managing risks. You will explore health inequities, and the range of socio-ecological determinants that influence the health and wellbeing of populations in Australian and global contexts. You will apply these concepts to investigate public health priorities from a holistic, ecological, salutogenic and social justice perspective.

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Online
Online – 3 hours of structured asynchronous online learning materials and an optional 1-hour online Zoom drop in session. 4hrs Week 1 13 times

Course Topics

Development of public health

Public health disciplines

Public health principles, evidence and frameworks

Patterns of health and wellbeing of populations

Socio-ecological determinants of health

Climate change impacts on health

Health equities and social justice

Global and national public health priorities

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

Disaster management and resilience

 

What level is this course?

700 Level (Specialised)

Demonstrating a specialised body of knowledge and set of skills for professional practice or further learning. Advanced application of knowledge and skills in unfamiliar contexts.

What is the unit value of this course?

12 units

How does this course contribute to my learning?

Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... Graduate Qualities Mapping Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming... Professional Standard Mapping * International Union for Health Promotion and Education
1 Identify and describe public health concepts, disciplines and activity. Knowledgeable
B.1
2 Explore public health priorities in Australian and global contexts. Creative and critical thinker
A.1, B.1, B.2, A.5, 6.3
3 Investigate public health priorities from a socio-ecological, salutogenic and social justice perspective. Empowered
B.1, B.2, B.3, A.4, A.5, 4.1

* Competencies by Professional Body

CODE COMPETENCY
International Union for Health Promotion and Education
B.1 The concepts, principles and ethical values of health promotion as defined by the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion (WHO, 1986) and subsequent charters and declarations
A.1 Health as a human right, which is central to human development
B.2 The concepts of health equity, social justice and health as a human right as the basis for health promotion action
B.3 The determinants of health and their implications for health promotion action
A.4 Addressing health inequities, social injustice, and prioritising the needs of those experiencing poverty and social marginalisation
A.5 Addressing the political, economic, social, cultural, environmental, behavioural and biological determinants of health and wellbeing
4.1 Use effective communication skills including written, verbal, non­verbal, and listening skills
6.3 Collect, review and appraise relevant data, information and literature to inform health promotion action

Am I eligible to enrol in this course?

Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.

Pre-requisites

Students must be enrolled in a Postgraduate Program

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

PUB112

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Not applicable

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Standard Grading (GRD)

High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL).

Details of early feedback on progress

Formative feedback will be provided within the first four weeks. This will be related to Task 2. 

Assessment tasks

Delivery mode Task No. Assessment Product Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it?
All 1 Written Piece Individual 25%
1200 word written reflection on health promotion concepts
Week 5 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 2 Portfolio Individual 35%
1000 words
Week 8 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 3 Case Study Individual 40%
Approximately 1000 words
Exam Period Online Submission
All - Assessment Task 1:Public Health reflection portfolio
Goal:
To demonstrate your understanding of public health concepts and content.
Product: Written Piece
Format:
You will complete a 1200-word written reflection on key public health concepts using prescribed readings using and a structured reflection framework. Details on the format of the structured reflection will be made available on Canvas. You will be provided with formative feedback in week two.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Comprehension of public health knowledge
1
2
Application of reflection skills
3
3
Quality of scholarly communication
1
All - Assessment Task 2:Public health portfolio
Goal:
To explore public health priorities and actions.
Product: Portfolio
Format:
A written portfolio. More information about this task will be provided on Canvas at the commencement of the semester.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Comprehensiveness of the discussion of public health priorities and actions.
1 2
2
Accuracy of descriptive epidemiological data
2
3
Integration of credible sources
2
4
Quality of written communication including correct spelling, grammar and referencing
1
All - Assessment Task 3:Applied Case Study Online Assignment
Goal:
To apply public health concepts and frameworks using a socio-ecological and social justice perspective.
Product: Case Study
Format:
An online case study assignment to be completed independently. Further information about this task will be provided on Canvas.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Application of public health concepts
1
2
Identification of individual and environmental determinants of a public health priority
2 3
3
Application of a socio-ecological health framework
2 3

Directed study hours

A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.

What resources do I need to undertake this course?

Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.

Prescribed text(s) or course reader

There are no required/recommended resources for this course.

Specific requirements

Not applicable

How are risks managed in this course?

Health and safety risks for this course have been assessed as low. It is your responsibility to review course material, search online, discuss with lecturers and peers and understand the health and safety risks associated with your specific course of study and to familiarise yourself with the University’s general health and safety principles by reviewing the online induction training for students, and following the instructions of the University staff.

What administrative information is relevant to this course?

Assessment: Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation.  It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline.  This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.

Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person.  You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.

In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin.  This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.

Assessment: Additional Requirements

Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying:

The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%
The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale
You have not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconduct

Assessment: Submission penalties

Late submission of assessment tasks may be penalised at the following maximum rate: 
- 5% (of the assessment task's identified value) per day for the first two days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. 
- 10% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the third day - 20% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the fourth day and subsequent days up to and including seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. 
- A result of zero is awarded for an assessment task submitted after seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. Weekdays and weekends are included in the calculation of days late. To request an extension you must contact your course coordinator to negotiate an outcome.

SafeUniSC

UniSC is committed to a culture of respect and providing a safe and supportive environment for all members of our community. For immediate assistance on campus contact SafeUniSC by phone: 07 5430 1168 or using the SafeZone app. For general enquires contact the SafeUniSC team by phone 07 5456 3864 or email safe@usc.edu.au.

The SafeUniSC Specialist Service is a Student Wellbeing service that provides free and confidential support to students who may have experienced or observed behaviour that could cause fear, offence or trauma. To contact the service call 07 5430 1226 or email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au.

Study help

For help with course-specific advice, for example what information to include in your assessment, you should first contact your tutor, then your course coordinator, if needed.

If you require additional assistance, the Learning Advisers are trained professionals who are ready to help you develop a wide range of academic skills. Visit the Learning Advisers web page for more information, or contact Student Central for further assistance: +61 7 5430 2890 or studentcentral@usc.edu.au.

Wellbeing Services

Student Wellbeing provide free and confidential counselling on a wide range of personal, academic, social and psychological matters, to foster positive mental health and wellbeing for your academic success.

To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 1226.

AccessAbility Services

Ability Advisers ensure equal access to all aspects of university life. If your studies are affected by a disability, learning disorder mental health issue, injury or illness, or you are a primary carer for someone with a disability or who is considered frail and aged, AccessAbility Services can provide access to appropriate reasonable adjustments and practical advice about the support and facilities available to you throughout the University.

To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email AccessAbility@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 2890.

Links to relevant University policy and procedures

For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:

  • Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
  • Review of Assessment and Final Grades
  • Supplementary Assessment
  • Central Examinations
  • Deferred Examinations
  • Student Conduct
  • Students with a Disability

For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching

Student Charter

UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.

General Enquiries

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