University of Sydney Handbooks - 2017 Archive

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Health Policy

 

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Unit of study descriptions

BETH5104 Bioethics, Law and Society

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Sascha Callaghan Session: Semester 1 Classes: 4x8hr intensives or online. Attendance is compulsory if enrolled in face-to-face block mode Assessment: 1x2000wd problem (40%); 1x3500 word essay (60%). Online 'attendance' is also compulsory and will be demonstrated by engagement in at least 8 out of the 10 weekly discussion topics. No formal mark will be given for attendance, but failure to meet the attendance requirement may result in failure of the course. Mode of delivery: Block mode, Online
Note: Prerequisites: A three-year undergraduate degree in science, medicine, nursing, allied health sciences, philosophy/ethics, sociology/anthropology, law, history, or other relevant field, or by special permission.
This unit of study begins by introducing students to intersections amongst health care practice, ethics, and the law. In particular students will explore the ethical and moral bases of law as well as how the law, in turn, influences moral norms, clinical practice, and health policy. Students learn how to critically read and analyse primary sources of law relevant to bioethics. Students will then examine a number of areas of law that have particular significance for bioethics and society including consent, tort law, competence, maternal-foetal conflicts, abortion, reproduction, mental health, end-of-life-decision-making, and genetics.
Textbooks
Required: Kerridge, Lowe and Stewart (2013), Ethics and law for the health profession, 4th Edition (Federation Press). All other compulsory readings are provided to students in digital format. Most supplementary readings can be accessed through the library collection.
BETH5203 Ethics and Public Health

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: A/Professor Stacy Carter Session: Semester 2 Classes: 5x7hour intensives; or Distance Education (online). Prohibitions: BETH5206 Assessment: 5xOnline Quiz (50%); 1x2500wd essay (50%) Mode of delivery: Block mode, Online
This unit provides students with an overview of the ethical and political issues that underlie public health and public health research. The unit begins with some fundamentals: the nature of ethics, of public health (and how it might be different to clinical medicine) and of public health ethics. It introduces key concepts in public health ethics including liberty, utility, justice, solidarity and reciprocity, and introduces students to different ways of reasoning about the ethics of public health. A range of practical public health problems and issues will be considered, including ethical dimensions of communicable and non-communicable diseases in populations, and the ethical challenges of public health research. Throughout, the emphasis is on learning to make sound arguments about the ethical aspects of public health policy, practice and research. Most learning occurs in the context of five teaching intensives, which are highly interactive and focus on the development and application of reasoning skills.
Textbooks
Students are provided with a list of readings (in digital format).
BETH5206 Introduction to Public Health Ethics

Credit points: 2 Teacher/Coordinator: A/Professor Stacy Carter Session: Semester 2a Classes: 2x7hour intensives; or Distance Education (online) Prohibitions: BETH5203 Assessment: 2xOnline Quiz (40%); 1x1500wd essay (60%) Mode of delivery: Block mode, Online
Note: Students enrolled in the Graduate Diploma or Master of Public Health may choose to take BETH5203 (6CP) instead of BETH5206 (2CP).
BETH5206 Ethics and Public Health introduces you to a range of ethical issues that arise within the practice of public health. It begins with an orientation to the field: we will discuss conceptualisations of public health, what ethics is, and how ethics relates to evidence. We will talk about the origins and development of public health ethics as a (relatively new) field, and how it is distinguished from other areas of ethics. Your learning will then be structured around three sets of important concepts. The first are concepts central to utilitarian reasoning: benefit, harm and cost. The second cluster of concepts relates to the proper relationship between the citizen and the state (including public health as an institution): they are autonomy, liberty and paternalism. The third cluster includes fairness, justice and equity, concepts that are often used rhetorically in public health, but not always carried through into practice. We will focus on two main case studies to apply what you learn. Throughout this unit you will be encouraged to ask questions, and to compare and debate competing answers to those questions. What is public health? What does it mean to say that something is harmful? To what extent should we each be free to engage in practices that harm our health? What is the proper role of the state in attempting to change the health of populations? What is equity and why does it matter (and if it matters, why aren't we doing more about it)? This is a Core Unit for Graduate Diploma and Master in Public Health students. Most learning occurs in the context of two teaching intensives, which are highly interactive and focus on the development and application of reasoning skills.
Textbooks
Students are provided with a list of readings (in digital format). Most supplementary readings can be accessed through the library or online.
CISS6004 Health and Security

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: 1x1.5hr lecture/week, 1x1.5hr seminar/week Assessment: 1x1000wd Issue brief (35%), 1x3000wd Research essay (50%), 1x500wd Self-evaluation (15%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
This unit assesses the political and security significance of disease-related events and developments. Whether one contemplates historical experiences with smallpox, the contemporary challenges posed by diseases such as HIV/AIDS and SARS, or the risks arising from new scientific developments such as synthetic biology, it is clear that diseases exercise a powerful influence over civilised humankind. The unit concentrates on areas in which human health and security concerns intersect most closely, including: biological weapons; fast-moving disease outbreaks of natural origin; safety and security in microbiology laboratories; and the relationships between infectious disease patterns, public health capacity, state functioning and violent conflict. The overall aim of the unit is to provide students with a stronger understanding of the scientific and political nature of these problems, why and how they might threaten security, and the conceptual and empirical connections between them.
HPOL5000 Introduction to Health Policy

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Anne Marie Thow Session: Semester 1 Classes: Block mode with compulsory Intensive workshops on Campus. 2 x 2-day workshops, online lectures and discussions Assessment: 1 x 1500wd written assignment (30%); 1 x 3000wd written assignment (50%); Online learning quiz (5%); online problem based learning exercise (15%) Mode of delivery: Block mode
This unit aims to develop a critical and comparative understanding of the history, theory and practice of health policy. It gives an overview of the political choices and frameworks - national and global - that shape policymaking.
Learning objectives: By the end of this unit students will be able to: (i) Define the boundaries and key features of health policy; (ii) Understand the basic history and features of the Australian health system; (iii) Identify policy instruments and how they function; (iv) Understand the main frameworks used for analysing policy; (v) Understand the factors influencing how policy issues are prioritized in health; (vi) Demonstrate the capacity to apply these understandings in particular settings through case studies.
Content: This unit explores the main structures and institutions that make health policy. The unit examines debates over policy frameworks, and the evidence and advocacy in setting priorities. Conflicts over health policy will be placed in broader contexts - comparing different health systems and assessing global influences. Case studies will be used to examine the relationships between policy and practice.
Textbooks
Buse K, Mays N, Walt G (2012). Making health policy. Second edition. Open University Press: London. Other recommended reading materials will be available on the unit's eLearning site
HPOL5001 Economics and Finance for Health Policy

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: A/Prof James Gillespie Session: Semester 1 Classes: Block mode with compulsory Intensive workshops on Campus. 2 x two day workshops plus online discussion Assessment: Health Economics Exercise (50%), Health finance assignment (50%) Mode of delivery: Block mode
This unit aims to provide students with an understanding of the main concepts and analytical methods of health economics, political economy and finance to examine the workings of health systems in Australia and comparable countries. Topics covered include the debates over the public-private mix and governance and accountability - who makes decisions about funding priorities? To whom should decision makers be held accountable and for what aspects of their work? How does health finance shape broader policy reform?
Learning outcomes: By the end of this unit students will be able to: (i) apply basic concepts and methodologies of health economics and political economy in policy analysis; (ii) understand the role of economic analysis in evaluating health policy change; (iii) understand the main models and debates regarding health system funding and the implications for equity, delivery and governance of health services; (iv) apply this knowledge to current Australian and global health systems and debates over reform; (v) be familiar with theoretical frameworks underlying health economics and current debates over health finance.
Textbooks
Buse K, Mays N, Walt G (2012). Making health policy. Second edition. Open University Press: London. Other required and recommended reading materials available from eLearning site.
HPOL5003 Analysing Health Policy

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: A/Prof James Gillespie and Dr Carmen Huckel Schneider Session: Semester 2 Classes: Block mode with compulsory Intensive workshops on Campus. 2 x two day workshops plus online discussion Assessment: 1x2500 word assignment (40%), 1x3500 word policy research project proposal (60%) Mode of delivery: Block mode
This unit aims to develop skills for undertaking policy research and analysis. The unit takes a multidisciplinary approach to familiarise students with fundamental frameworks and methodologies that can be applied to analyse policy from public health, social and political sciences, public policy and history.
Learning outcomes. By the end of the unit students will be able to: (i) Apply a critical analysis to questions of policy success or failure; (ii) Understand and explain the different methodological approaches that can be applied in policy research; (iii) Identify appropriate research methodologies, data collection methods and analysis for specific policy research questions; (iv) Design a health policy research project.
Textbooks
Sarantakos, S. (2005). Social Research (3rd ed.). New York: Palgrave Macmillan. Other required and recommended readings and reference lists will be available through eLearning
HPOL5007 Global Health Policy

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Carmen Huckel Schneider, Dr Anne Marie Thow Session: Semester 2 Classes: Block mode with compulsory Intensive workshops on Campus or online only mode. Block mode 2 x 2 day workshops plus 4 tutorials (tutorials offered face-to-face or online) or online only Assessment: 1 x 2000 word essay (35%), Tutorial discussion papers or online discussion (15%), 1 x 3000 word essay (50%) Mode of delivery: Block mode, Online
The aim of this unit is to equip students with the knowledge and skills to identify and articulate political and policy processes at the global level, become familiar with institutions and actors involved in global health policy, and utilize strategies for influencing policy making at the global level. We analyse the influence and power of institutions and actors in the development and implementation of global health policy, and investigate the governance of global health policy responses. Teaching makes extensive use of current case studies from recognised experts in the field.
Learning outcomes. By the end of this unit students will be able to: (i) Explain the effects of globalization on health of populations; (ii) Demonstrate how events and trends in health and non-health areas affect global health policy; (iii) Identify and classify the different types of actors/institutions that influence health policy; (iv) Undertake a policy stakeholder analysis with reference to power, influence and interests; (v) Develop strategies to influence global health policy development; (vi) Define global health governance and its role in structuring and regulating global health policy.
Textbooks
Buse K, Mays N, Walt G (2012). Making health policy. Second edition. Open University Press: London.
HPOL5008 Evidence into Policy and Practice

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Carmen Huckel Schneider, Prof. Andrew Wilson Session: Semester 1 Classes: Block mode with compulsory Intensive workshops on Campus. 2 x 2 day workshops Course leaders will assist students with online advice and supervision for their assignments Corequisites: HPOL5000 and HPOL5001 Assessment: 1 x literature search strategy (10%), 1 x 2000 word evidence based case for a policy or practice change (30%), 1 class presentation of the business case (20%), 1 x 2500 word evidence based submission to a government consultation or inquiry (40%) Mode of delivery: Block mode
The aim of this unit is to increase students' understanding about the links between evidence and policy and practice and to build skills for making an evidence based case for change and implementing evidence based policy.
Learning outcomes. By the end of this unit student will be able to: (i) Use evidence to identify areas that require policy change; (ii) Search for and critically appraise evidence for policy design and implementation; (iii) Understand key theories of the use of evidence in policy and practice; (iv) Critically analyse the role of evidence in policy and political processes; (v) Identify facilitators and barriers to the use of evidence in policy; (vi) Demonstrate the use of evidence in implementing effective interventions; (vii) Use evidence effectively in a case for policy change.
Content: The teaching of this course will include: lectures, guest presentations from leading policy makers and researchers on current issues and student presentations of how evidence from research can assist them to address real world issues in their jobs.
HPOL5009 Health Policy Project

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Anne Marie Thow, Dr Carmen Huckel Schneider Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: Block mode 2 x 1 day workshops plus online or online only Corequisites: HPOL5003 and HPOL5008 Assessment: 1x abstract (5%), 1x5000 word policy document (65%), and 1xclass presentation (30%) Mode of delivery: Block mode, Online
In this unit students undertake an independent research project and develop a complete policy for implementation in the real world. This unit is a capstone project that builds on the skills developed in HPOL5008. Students will choose an approved policy project. This can be drawn from their work experience or identified with the assistance of their academic mentor. By the conclusion of the project, students will have developed a policy document including: a critical literature review; an appraisal of relevant evidence and possible options; an analysis of the environment in which the policy will be introduced; a communication strategy, and; implementation, evaluation and accountability mechanisms. The project will be presented at the final student workshop.
Learning outcomes: By the end of this unit students will be able to: (i) identify the features supporting and resisting the policy change, and the strategies required to facilitate adoption of the change; (ii) understand and analyse the key components of policy development; (iii) effectively research, write and communicate a new policy.
MEDF5005 Health Research Methods and Ethics

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Timothy Schlub Session: Semester 1 Classes: 2x compulsory in person interactive full day workshops, 4x optional in person 3hr tutorials, 5x online lectures and discussions, 2x online elective module readings Assessment: Study design and ethics assignment (40%), statistics assignment (20%), statistics exam (20%), online self-study elective task (10%), online quizes (10%) Mode of delivery: Block mode
This unit of study introduces students to the fundamental skills that are required for postgraduate research in medicine and health. Students will learn how to conduct research that is scientifically and ethically sound, and be able to critically appraise and review literature. Students will understand the strengths and limitations of common study designs and develop simple but important statistical analysis skills, including how to present and interpret data, basic data management skills, and how to determine the required sample size for a study. Obtaining ethics approval is necessary for any study involving the collection or analysis of data involving humans, animals or their tissues. Hence, this unit will also cover ethics in research and when and how to apply for ethics approval. These fundamental skills promote a scholarly attitude towards knowledge and understanding, and are essential for engagement with the research community.
MIPH5135 Health Systems in Developing Countries

Credit points: 4 Teacher/Coordinator: Associate Professor Joel Negin Session: Semester 2 Classes: 1x 2hr lecture per week for 10 weeks; plus 2x 0.5 day workshops; also offered fully online Assessment: 1x1500 word research paper (40%), 1x2000 word solution proposal (50%), and participation (10%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day, Online
Health systems are complex and multi-faceted. Successful health systems require attention to political economy, governance, institutions, and local context. This unit will cover health systems in developing countries to equip students with a conceptual understanding and a set of tools to address major public health challenges from a health systems perspective. With a focus on evidence-based decision making, the unit will provide an understanding of health systems including specific topics such as health workforce, financing, service delivery, information systems and policy, and how these impact health interventions and health status in less developed countries. A multi-sectoral, integrated model will be used to understand the varied aspects of development challenges related to health systems. A case study approach will then provide students with concrete examples of health systems challenges and will strengthen students' ability to view health problems in a holistic, multi-faceted manner. The unit will provide students with the tools needed to make a practical difference in health systems in less developed countries with emphasis on implementation of health projects and bringing interventions to scale.
Textbooks
Readings are available on the unit's eLearning site.
PUBH5024 Obesity and Health Promotion

This unit of study is not available in 2017

Credit points: 2 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Louise Hardy Session: Intensive August Classes: compulsory attendance at 2.5 one-day workshops including participation in small group work during the workshop. Prerequisites: (PUBH5010 or CEPI5100), PUBH5033 and PUBH5020 Assessment: Workshop participation and small group work presentation (30%) and 1x written assignment (2000 words) (70%). Mode of delivery: Block mode
This unit will build on introductory public health core units of study, and apply them to consideration of global obesity as a public health problem. The unit will develop students' skills in approaches to obesity monitoring, prevention programs and policies, extending research methods, critical appraisal skills, introductory health promotion and disease prevention in MPH. Students will develop an understanding of surveillance systems to monitor obesity, and develop skills in evidence based obesity prevention interventions in diverse social, cultural and community contexts. The course will include discussions of policies and international approaches to obesity prevention, as part of non-communicable disease prevention and control.
Textbooks
Pre-readings will be provided
PUBH5025 Physical Activity and Public Health

This unit of study is not available in 2017

Credit points: 2 Teacher/Coordinator: Professor Adrian Bauman Session: Intensive August Classes: Compulsory attendance at 2 x 1 day workshops, followed by two weeks on line discussion. In addition, in 2014, participants are expected to register for the course 3-4 weeks in advance [with Catherine.Kiernan@sydney.edu.au] so they can be directed to the website to watch the compulsory pre-course videos [there are 6-8 10-15 minute videos on physical activity and public health that we have created]. Prerequisites: Content of Core MPH electives noted as prerequisites Assessment: Attendance and participation at workshop (20%), 1x written assignment (1500-2000 words) (80%) Mode of delivery: Block mode
This course will build on introductory public health core units of study and apply them to an examination of physical activity and public health. The epidemiological and other evidence for health and social benefits and reasons for activity will be considered, as well as evidence-based strategies and settings for increasing physical activity at the population level. The course will consider the differences between local level 'exercise programs' and large scale public efforts, and develop an understanding of policy and advocacy as applied to physical activity promotion.
Textbooks
Bauman, A., Bellow, B., Vita, P., Brown, W., Owen, N. Getting Australia Active I: towards better practice for the promotion of physical activity. National Public Health Partnership. Melbourne, Australia, March 2002 ISBN: 0-9580326-2-9
PUBH5302 Health Economic Evaluation

Credit points: 4 Teacher/Coordinator: A/Professor Alison Hayes Session: Intensive September Classes: 2x 2day compulsory workshops Prerequisites: ((PUBH5010 or CEPI5100) and PUBH5018) or (HPOL5001 as a prerequisite and HPOL5003 as a co-requisite) Assessment: assignment 1 (40%), assignment 2 (60%) Mode of delivery: Block mode
This unit aims to develop students' knowledge and skills of economic evaluation as an aid to priority setting in health care. This unit covers: principles of economic evaluation; critical appraisal guidelines; measuring and valuing benefits; methods of costing; modeling in economic evaluation. The workshops consist of interactive lectures and class exercises.
Textbooks
A course manual will be provided to each student.
PUBH5307 Advanced Health Economic Evaluation

Credit points: 2 Teacher/Coordinator: Professor Kirsten Howard Session: Intensive October Classes: 1 x 2day compulsory workshop Prerequisites: PUBH5018 and (PUBH5010 or CEPI5100) Corequisites: PUBH5205 and PUBH5302 Assessment: 1x written assignment (100%) Mode of delivery: Block mode
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
The aims of this unit are to provide students with an understanding of the concepts, application and analytical techniques of more advanced methods of health economic evaluation and with practical working knowledge of how to conduct economic evaluations using stochastic and deterministic data. This unit will focus on students developing the hands-on skills of conducting economic evaluations, included detailed practical instruction in the use of decision analytic software such as TreeAge and Excel. The format will be in face to face workshops with lectures followed by computer based exercises directly relating to the lectures. The broad topic areas covered are: 1) analysis of health outcomes including survival and quality of life measures 2) analysis of costs 3) economic modeling, including conduct of sensitivity analyses (one way, multi-way and probabilistic sensitivity analysis) and 4) presenting and interpreting results of cost effectiveness analyses.
PUBH5308 Health Workforce Policy Analysis

Credit points: 2 Teacher/Coordinator: Prof Deborah Schofield, Dr Michelle Cunich Session: Intensive October Classes: On-line materials plus compulsory attendance at a two day workshop. Assessment: Assignment on a health workforce policy analysis topic of the student's choice (100%) Mode of delivery: Block mode
This unit will examine the major mechanisms of health workforce planning in Australia. The nature of the Australian health workforce will be considered, and the processes by which planning is influenced through government policy and research translated and integrated with policy. Current health workforce issues such as adequacy of education and training programs, ageing, and the distribution of the workforce will be addressed. Current approaches to planning for an adequate health workforce, and evaluations of the quality of evidence on current health workforce models of care will be examined using practical examples.
Textbooks
Australia's Health Workforce, Productivity Commission Research Report, 2005 Available at: http://www.pc.gov.au/study/healthworkforce/finalreport/index.html
PUBH5309 Translational Health

This unit of study is not available in 2017

Credit points: 2 Teacher/Coordinator: Emeritus Professor Jack Dowie, Professor Glenn Salkeld Session: Semester 2a,Semester 2b Classes: Weekly on-line plus one compulsory day workshop. Assessment: Multiple Choice Questions [MCQ] and creation of an original Annalisa Decision Aid construct (30%), 1500-2000 word Report (70%) Mode of delivery: Block mode
Translational Health introduces the main existing translational methods and models in healthcare, most of which focus on 'knowledge translation' and 'bringing evidence into practice', i.e. on moving results from the basic sciences through clinical and public health science and guidelines into clinical and public health decision and policy making. Most of these models diagnose the problem of 'loss in translation' in terms of institutional and professional barriers and blocks along the translation pathways. While acknowledging these, Translational Health focuses on the modelling method - the 'language' and 'vocabulary' - most likely to perform the translation task effectively in relation to patient-centered practice. The technique underlying the method is Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (in contrast to conventional Decision Analysis) and the template for its practical implementation is the Annalisa 2.0+ software. It is shown how high quality clinical and public health decision making needs to be based on 'values translation' as well as 'knowledge translation'. And how the approach can facilitate the desirable 'backwards translation' to ensure research is practice-relevant in both content and format. Students choose from a set of topics within which to pursue the principles, follow empirical examples and develop their own analyses in a practicum.
PUBH5418 Tobacco Control in the 21st Century

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Becky Freeman Session: Intensive August Classes: 1x3 day workshop of lectures and problem-focused discussions, followed by 4 weeks of problem-based online discussions Assessment: 2x 2000 word essays (60%), 1x 100 item online quiz (10%) and online discussion and participation (30%) Mode of delivery: Block mode, Distance education/intensive on campus
The unit consists of learning topics, each of which is supported by extensive Web based resources, and 4 moderated online discussion forums, each focusing on a problem related to tobacco use and control. Lecture topics include: history of tobacco use and control; the burden of illness from tobacco use; secondhand smoke: the research evidence; measuring tobacco use, uptake and cessation in communities; international trends in tobacco consumption; the tobacco industry; the WHO's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and new forms of tobacco advertising and promotion. Problem focused discussion forums include: Harm reduction and tobacco control, regulation of tobacco, improving and implementing pack warnings; promoting smoking cessation, prevention of uptake (youth programs); denormalisation of the tobacco industry; controlling advertising; and controlling exposure to tobacco smoke, making news on tobacco and influencing political policy on tobacco.
Textbooks
(recommended only) Chapman S. Public Health Advocacy and Tobacco Control: Making Smoking History. Oxford: Blackwell, 2007.
PUBH5420 Public Health Advocacy Strategies

Credit points: 4 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Becky Freeman Session: Semester 2b Classes: 2 full days followed by 3 weeks of online Assessment: 2500 word essay (70%), online participation (30%) Mode of delivery: Block mode
Students will have the opportunity to critique and analyse case studies from a variety of both successful and unsuccessful public health advocacy examples. There will be an emphasis on how online environments and social media tools are contributing to public health advocacy debates and campaigns. Recent examples of how online media have influenced health policy and programming will be presented. Students will examine and prepare writing for online media such as news, blogs, and social media. The lectures will include guest speakers from non-government organisations, government and other experienced stakeholders from across the public heath sector.
Textbooks
Recommended: Chapman S. (2007) Public Health Advocacy and Tobacco Control: Making Smoking History. Oxford: Blackwell.
PUBH5422 Health and Risk Communication

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Claire Hooker, Associate Professor Julie Leask, Professor Phyllis Butow Session: Semester 2 Classes: Block/intensive 2 x 9-5 full days + 3 x 9-5 full days; please check with the coordinator for scheduling Assessment: Assignment 1 x 3000 word (50%), Assignment 1 x 2000 words (35%), online activities (15%). Attendance at intensives is compulsory and 80% attendance is required to pass the unit of study. Mode of delivery: Block mode
In this unit, students will develop a critical awareness of the determinants of effective communication, particularly in relation to health risks to the individual and to society. The first half covers individual health risk communication in clinical settings, including: theories of health communication, patient centred care and shared decision making; evidence-based communication skills; research paradigms including interaction analysis; cross-cultural communication in health care; discussing prognosis and informed consent. The second half explores risk communication for public health, ranging from managing outbreak situations to low risk / high concern issues such as immunisation. We teach theories of risk perception and communication with particular application to public health incident responses. We give practical guides to media messages, risk message framing, public engagement, traditional and social media, and the ethical aspects of public communication. The unit offers students the opportunity to learn from outstanding guest lecturers who work in these areas and interactive opportunities for students to try their skills in risk communication and decision making.
Textbooks
Students are provided with a list of readings (in digital format). Most supplementary readings can be accessed through the library or online.
PUBH5500 Advanced Qualitative Health Research

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Julie Mooney-Somers Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: 2x3 full day workshop in March/April Prohibitions: QUAL5005 Assessment: interviewing activity with reflection (35%); 2500wd essay (35%); multiple choice quizzes (2x10%); in-class participation (10%) Mode of delivery: Block mode
This unit of study provides a comprehensive introduction to qualitative inquiry in health. It is designed for beginners and people who want an advanced-level introduction. Over the course of the unit we will address: What is qualitative research? How is it different from quantitative research? What is its history? What research problems can it address? How do I design a qualitative study? What are the different (and best) ways to generate data? How do you analyse qualitative data? Is methodology different to method? What are ontology and epistemology? What is reflexivity (and aren't qualitative researchers biased)? What are the ethical issues? What is good quality qualitative research? Can I generalise qualitative findings? You will get practical experience and skills through carrying out an observation, participating in a focus group, conducting an interview, analysing data, arguing for qualitative research in health, and appraising the quality of published literature. In both workshops you will meet working qualitative researchers and hear about their projects. This advanced unit will show you a new way of thinking critically about research and researching, and give you the skills and confidence to begin evaluating and doing qualitative research for yourself.
PUBH5550 Climate Change and Public Health

Credit points: 4 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Ying Zhang, Dr Melody Ding Session: Semester 2 Classes: Block mode (2 day workshop) or fully online. Assessment: 1x 1500 word essay (40%), 1x 2500 word essay (60%) Mode of delivery: Online, Block mode
This unit provides an overview of climate change in the context of public health. The unit begins with climate change models and explores causation and the ways in which climate change interacts with human behaviour and population health. It comprises three parts: 1) the scientific evidence, including the history/trend, exposure assessment, and the consequences of climate change and extremes, 2) responses to climate change, including adaptation and mitigation, to build community resilience, and 3) an integrated multi-disciplinary perspective, e.g. international environmental governance and law, environmental economics, and environmental and social injustice, to address climate change and health in a broader concept of sustainability and global change. This unit will provide both Australian and international perspectives on climate change and health, supported by theoretical and empirical research in both developed and developing countries. It will enable students to have a critical thinking about climate change and health.
Textbooks
Readings will be provided
QUAL5002 Qualitative Methodologies and Study Design

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Julie Mooney-Somers Session: Intensive May,Semester 1 Classes: 2x3 full day workshops Corequisites: PUBH5500 Assumed knowledge: Basic understanding of the nature of qualitative knowledge and the processes of qualitative research. Assessment: Group presentation (2x15%); peer review (2x10%); 4000wd assignment (50%) Mode of delivery: Block mode
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
Note: Departmental permission is required for students who have not completed PUBH5500.
Qualitative methodologies are historical traditions and systems for planning and justifying research methods. This intermediate unit assumes a basic understanding of qualitative research and focuses on qualitative methodologies. Qualitative methodologies are informed by theories from sociology, anthropology, philosophy and other disciplines. They shape the research questions, objectives, design and outcome of a qualitative study. This course begins with general principles of qualitative methodology and study design. We examine several qualitative methodologies in detail, including: narrative inquiry, community based participatory research, ethnography, grounded theory, arts-based, and qualitative synthesis. We consider their historical and theoretical roots, the research practices they encourage, and their current status. The final session considers how we can use methodologies as resources rather than recipes, maintaining both flexibility and coherence in our study designs.
QUAL5003 Qualitative Research Analysis and Writing

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Julie Mooney-Somers Session: Semester 2 Classes: 4x1 full day workshops Prerequisites: PUBH5500 Assumed knowledge: Basic understanding of the nature of qualitative knowledge and types of qualitative data. Assessment: Practical analysis activities (20%, 20%, 20%), draft results and discussion sections for a journal article (40%) Mode of delivery: Block mode
In this Unit you will analyse and write about qualitative data. This intermediate unit assumes a basic understanding of qualitative research and focuses on qualitative analysis and writing. Across the first three workshop days we will explore the principles of qualiative analysis, learn about different analytic strategies and key analytic tools. You will learn how to develop codes and themes, use memos and analytic maps, and interpret data through the process of writing. The final workshop day focuses on writing; you will learn methods for starting writing, structuring articles, and editing your own work. Most importantly, we will practice thinking in genres, asking the question: who is going to read this, and how should I write for them? Between workshops, you will work to analyse a portfolio of qualitative data. After completing this Unit you will have a wider range of analytic techniques at your disposal, and will have experience in shaping your writing to make it appropriate for its intended audience.