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Course Outline

SWK285 Health & Mental Health in Australia

Course Coordinator:Dyann Ross (dross@usc.edu.au) School:School of Law and Society

2025Semester 2

UniSC Sunshine Coast

UniSC Fraser Coast

 Blended learning Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online.

Please go to unisc.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

In Australia, individuals are expected to accept that scientific and medical solutions can prevent and cure illness and disease, however, health is not an objective state, but dependent on historical, cultural, political, social and economic contexts. These interrelationships are explored using anti-oppressive theories that privilege social models of health. The course explores the social constructions of health and the role legislation plays across a range of health issues. The course focuses on mental health and the nature of professional practice in Australian public health services.

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Lecture – Live Online Lecture 2hrs Week 1 13 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – On Campus Tutorial 1hr Week 2 11 times

Course Topics

The socio-political context of health

Theories and models of health

Current responses to health

Discrimination and privilege in mental/health

Mental health: Mapping the context

Mental health legislation & practice

Mental health: Consumer and carers’ lived experience

Mental health: Practice and challenges

Employment and workplace health

Citizenship & human rights: Asylum seekers

Race & mental/health

Gender, sexuality and mental/health

Rural and globalised health

 

What level is this course?

200 Level (Developing)

Building on and expanding the scope of introductory knowledge and skills, developing breadth or depth and applying knowledge and skills in a new context. May require pre-requisites where discipline specific introductory knowledge or skills is necessary. Normally, undertaken in the second or third full-time year of an undergraduate programs.

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 Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming...
1 Describe and explain the historical, conceptual and political foundations to approaches to health and wellbeing. Knowledgeable
Ethical
2 An ability to use progressive theories to critique modernist models of health interventions in Australia and their impact on service users. Engaged
Sustainability-focussed
3 Communicate innovative and creative strategies for social change to address oppression and injustice in the populations health. Creative and critical thinker
Engaged
4 Explain the relationship between disadvantaged population groups, dominant discourses and policy agendas and peoples health outcomes. Knowledgeable
Sustainability-focussed

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

Not applicable

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

Not applicable

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Not applicable

Microcredential Information

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

Students can receive feedback on a draft outline of their second assessment before progressing substantially with it.

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 Quiz/zes Individual 15% 
Set of 5 x three questions per set
 Throughout teaching period (refer to Format) Online Submission
All 2 Essay Individual 40% 
2000 words
 Week 8 Online Submission
All 3 Written Piece Individual or Group 45% 
2000 words maximum
 Exam Period Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All - Assessment Task 1:Complete Key Concepts Quiz
Goal: 
To achieve a sound understanding of key concepts of the course through questions related to weekly readings.
Product: Quiz/zes
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
On line, self-paced set of 5 x 3 questions quiz employing multiple choice, multiple answer and other question methods. You are required to log on to the Blackboard site and complete the quiz by following the prompts. The quiz involves a set of 5 x 3 questions, commencing in week 3. They are to be completed on a weekly basis during the weeks offered.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
You need to complete the quiz and level of achievement will relate to number of questions answered correctly.
 4
Generic Skills: 
Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 2:Summarise and Discuss 3 Course Readings
Goal: 
To learn to accurately summarise and explore the main points of the provided readings to demonstrate an understanding of key ideas in relation to health.
Product: Essay
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
Refer to the 3 required readings (to be provided on Blackboard link to library e-reserve) and write a 2000 word essay which: 

Clearly summarises the key points of each reading  

Provides a discussion of the readings – ie it is not enough to describe the readings 

Provides a developed summative conclusion.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
An accurate understanding of the main points of each of the readings
 1 2
2 
An ability to discuss and explore the readings
 1 2
3 
An ability to present student’s own thinking arising from the readings
 3
4 
Appropriate use of other relevant references (at least 3 additional references which make use of the course materials)
 3
5 
A well written paper (clarity of expression, correct grammar, spelling and punctuation), logically structured, coherently argued analysis, within the word count, appropriately referenced using the Harvard system of referencing.​​​
 1 2 3 4
Generic Skills: 
Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 3:Prepare a PowerPoint Document or an Alternative Resource on a Health Topic
Goal: 
To prepare a PowerPoint document, or an alternative resource, on a health topic which students can choose to use as the basis for a small group discussion in tutorial time. The aim is to demonstrate the socio-political and cultural aspects of the issue and to outline the implications for practice.
Product: Written Piece
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
You need to undertake research to explore a chosen health topic in the Australian context with a view to showing an ability to select relevant references (including public reports, health consumer’s perspectives and demographic information) to build a comprehensive picture of the issue. You also need to show a critical theory approach to: the topic/focus; how the references are interpreted, and; how the issue is understood. You should create a PowerPoint, or alternative equivalent, document and aim to demonstrate how the health issue is: 

Comprised of socio-political and cultural factors,  

Influenced by privileged social groups/actors and dominant discourses, and; 

Show how these factors can in turn impact in different ways (specifically either in discriminatory or privileging ways) on different social groups/individuals.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
An ability to gather relevant information and perspectives from different stakeholders (ie: dominant views and non-dominant views) related to the chosen health issue
 1 2
2 
Articulate the socio-political and cultural factors involved, explaining the part played by privileged social groups/actors in maintaining dominant discourses
 1
3 
Show an understanding of the implications for the most disadvantaged social groups in relation to the health issue
 3
4 
At least 8 information sources to be used, 4 of which need to be academic references, including course materials
 1 2 3 4
5 
A well prepared PowerPoint or alternative equivalent document (clarity of expression, relevant graphics/pictures, correct grammar, spelling and punctuation),
 1 2
6 
(cont) logically structured, coherently argued analysis, appropriately referenced using the Harvard system of referencing.
Generic Skills: 
Communication, Collaboration, Information literacy

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

Information regarding prescribed texts or other associated resources will be made available on the BlackBoard site prior to commencement of study.

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

Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment 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.

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

  • In person:
    • UniSC Sunshine Coast - Student Central, Ground Floor, Building C, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs
    • UniSC Moreton Bay - Service Centre, Ground Floor, Foundation Building, Gympie Road, Petrie
    • UniSC SouthBank - Student Central, Building A4 (SW1), 52 Merivale Street, South Brisbane
    • UniSC Gympie - Student Central, 71 Cartwright Road, Gympie
    • UniSC Fraser Coast - Student Central, Student Central, Building A, 161 Old Maryborough Rd, Hervey Bay
    • UniSC Caboolture - Student Central, Level 1 Building J, Cnr Manley and Tallon Street, Caboolture
  • Tel:+61 7 5430 2890
  • Email:studentcentral@usc.edu.au
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