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Unit outline_

HSBH1003: Health, Behaviour and Society

Semester 1, 2022 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Why do people make the health decisions they do, even though they sometimes seem like the wrong ones? How do social and psychological factors affect people’s health outcomes? This unit introduces you to key areas of psychology and sociology relevant to health and wellbeing that will be important tools for understanding and practicing in health and wellbeing, by helping you to understand the lives of those people you will help through your work. The unit aims to develop a 'sociological imagination', which is a quality of mind that will be used to prompt you to question common­sense assumptions regarding health and wellbeing. You will also gain familiarity with some key areas of contemporary psychology.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Health Sciences
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
BACH1130 or BACH1132 or BACH1133 or BACH1134 or BACH1161 or BACH1165
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Mairwen Jones, mairwen.jones@sydney.edu.au
Guest lecturer(s) Steven Cumming, steven.cumming@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Lisa Vaccaro, lisa.vaccaro@sydney.edu.au
Mairwen Jones, mairwen.jones@sydney.edu.au
Ryan Naylor, ryan.naylor@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Zakia Hossain, zakia.hossain@sydney.edu.au
Camilla Scanlan, camilla.scanlan@sydney.edu.au
Sanjana Bhardwaj, sanjana.bhardwaj@sydney.edu.au
Gianina Raymundo, gianina.raymundo@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam (Record+) Type B final exam Online Final exam
MCQ
50% Formal exam period 2 hours
Presentation group assignment Psychology group presentation
Group Presentation Weeks 10-13
20% Multiple weeks 25 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO17 LO18
Assignment Online Quizzes Weeks 2-12
Online quiz due weekly, weeks 2-12. 1 mark per quiz (max 10)
10% Multiple weeks 25 minutes per week.
Creative assessment / demonstration hurdle task Interdisciplinary learning activity
Compulsory attendance week 3 or 4 online and written activities.
0% Week 03 2 hour workshop plus written activities
Outcomes assessed: LO19
Skills-based evaluation hurdle task Academic Honesty Module
Online skills assessment. Complete via the academic honesty Canvas site.
0% Week 04 25 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO20
Assignment Portfolio assessment
Portfolio assessment
20% Week 07
Due date: 08 Apr 2022 at 23:59
1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO20 LO19 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3
hurdle task = hurdle task ?
group assignment = group assignment ?
Type B final exam = Type B final exam ?

Assessment summary

Submitted Work:

Quizzes: Each online quiz is linked to the content of a particular lecture and readings for each week. Each quiz needs to be completed before the tutorial in the student’s own time. Quizzes will close before the tutorial each week so must be completed on time. There are 11 quizzes, one for each in weeks 2-12 and they cover lecture material and readings. Students receive one point per quiz completed, to a maximum of 10.

 

Skills-based assessment:

Interdisciplinary learning activity: Students are required to attend their timetabled learning activity (scheduled in either Week 3 or 4). They must also complete online and written activities. Information about this activity is available via the IPL Canvas site.

 

Skills-based assessment:

Academic honesty module: Students are required to successfully complete the academic honesty module by Week 4. The module is available via a separate Canvas site. For more information please refer to this site: https://sydney.edu.au/students/academic-integrity.html 

 

Submitted Work:

Society and Health Portfolio: This is a 1500 word individual written assignment. Students will submit written answers to selected questions drawn from the weekly quizzes (weeks 2-6).

 

Teamwork:

Psychology presentation: Students are required to work together in groups to research, discuss and present a psychological issue in depth by choosing one of four topics.

 

Exams:

Final exam: Students will be required to demonstrate their understanding of the material in this module by completing questions that covers the lecture topics and associated readings for both the social determinants of health and psychology content. 

 

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on the HSBH1003 Canvas site.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2021 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

The Academic Honesty Module and Interdisciplinary Learning Activities are barrier tasks which means they must be completed or students will not pass the unit. Students will be unable to take the weekly quiz once it has closed. It must be completed before their scheduled tutorial time. Other assignments will be subject to late penalties as described in university policy

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction to Health, Behaviour and Society/How do people make decisions? Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5 LO9
Week 02 Social determinants of health: what is health, and how do social structures affect it? Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO3 LO5 LO8
Week 03 Ethnicity and health: looking at a social determinant of health in detail Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO3 LO5 LO6 LO8
Week 04 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health: Marginalisation, and strengths- and deficit-based approaches to health Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO8
Week 05 Global health and inequality/How social structures affect your work in health Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO3 LO5 LO7 LO8 LO19
Week 06 Social determinants of health Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO19 LO20
Week 07 Cognitive Psychology Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO9
Week 08 Health Psychology Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO10 LO11
Week 09 1. Biological psychology; 2. Psychology of learning Lecture (2 hr) LO12 LO13
Week 10 Social psychology Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO14
Week 11 Abnormal psychology Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO15
Week 12 Developmental psychology Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO16
Week 13 Review: psychology and social determinants of health modules Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: All lectures will be online. Some will be delivered synchronously via zoom, some will be pre-recorded. Students are expected to attend all scheduled synchronous online zoom lectures and view all non synchronous lecture recordings.

Students in on-campus mode need to attend all scheduled face-to-face tutorials. Students in remote mode need to attend all scheduled zoom synchronous classes.  

Lectures take place in weeks 1-13. 

There will be 1 hour tutorials commencing in Week 2 up to and including Week 13, except for Week 9 when students will be using the tutorial time to work on their group presentations.

Students need to attend at least 5 of the 6 scheduled tutorials for Weeks 7, 8, 10, 11, 12 and 13. If students miss more than one of these tutorials and don’t have special consideration due to illness/misdaventure approved they will lose 10% of their psychology group presentation task mark for each week they are absent.

 

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

A list of set readings for each week is available on the HSBH1003 Canvas site.

You should study the relevant chapters of the textbooks and any other set readings as they will help you understand material presented in the lectures.  Exam questions will be set mainly on the lecture content but textbook and set reading content may be examined.

Social determinants of Health Module Textbook

Title: Second Opinion: An Introduction to Health Sociology, (6th Ed). Oxford University Press, Melbourne

Year: 2019

It is not necessary to buy this text book. The book is available as an eResource via the University of Sydney Library via this link: https://sydney.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/61USYD_INST/1r05knn/alma991006775449705106

There is also a hard copy available in the Fisher library in 2 hour reserve. The library also holds copies of the 2014 version of the textbook. This can be used but the page numbers will differ. Please make sure that you access the 2019 version also when it is available.

Any additional weekly readings, lecture notes and recordings are available on Canvas.

Psychology Module Textbook

Title: Health, Behaviour and Society HSBH1003, 2nd edition (Customised Book)

Year: 2019

Author: Lilienfeld

Available for short loan in hard copy from Fisher and Susan Wakil libraries. The book can also be purchased directly from the publishers. Students will be provided with links for purchase of hard copy book or ebook in Week 1.

Additional readings psychology module

The following two readings support the lecture content of your Week 7 online lecture. This content may be examinable. Both are available on Canvas for Week 7.

Baddeley, Eysenck, & Anderson, (2015) Memory (Chapter 1)

Gerrig, Zimbardo, Campbell, Cumming & Wilkes (2011) Psychology and Life 2nd Edition (Chapter 5)

 

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Understand how society impacts on an individual’s health and health care.
  • LO2. Understand what psychology is, and its relevance to the health professions.
  • LO3. Understand the key ‘social determinants’ of health.
  • LO4. Develop an understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health issues.
  • LO5. Be familiar with some examples of research into society and health.
  • LO6. Develop an understanding of the health needs of people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
  • LO7. Develop an understanding of global health and inequality.
  • LO8. Communicate your knowledge of the impact of society on health and illness in written form and through in-class discussions with peers.
  • LO9. Understand the basic cognitive processes underpinning memory, thought and decision making.
  • LO10. Understand the links between psychological factors and physical and mental health.
  • LO11. Understand how behaviour and health factors interact and influence each other.
  • LO12. Understand the contribution of biological factors including the role of the brain, genes and hormones in behaviour.
  • LO13. Understand how behaviour is modified through learning.
  • LO14. Understand the psychological aspects of social interactions, and the behaviour of groups and organisations from a psychological viewpoint.
  • LO15. Understand the key clinical features of some common psychological disorders.
  • LO16. Understand how behaviour and thinking changes over the lifespan.
  • LO17. Communicate your knowledge of psychology and health issues in oral are well as written form.
  • LO18. Demonstrate organisational, writing, and communication skills needed in the preparation and delivery of a group oral presentation.
  • LO19. Increasing interdisciplinary learning knowledge
  • LO20. Understanding academic honesty

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes Competency standards
LO1
Professional capabilities for medical radiation practice - MRPBA
Domain 2.1.b. Manage personal, mental and physical health to ensure fitness to practise.
Domain 2.2.a. Recognise and evaluate the socio-cultural factors that may influence patient/client attitudes and responses to medical radiation services.
LO3
Professional capabilities for medical radiation practice - MRPBA
Domain 2.1.b. Manage personal, mental and physical health to ensure fitness to practise.
Domain 2.2.a. Recognise and evaluate the socio-cultural factors that may influence patient/client attitudes and responses to medical radiation services.
LO4
Professional capabilities for medical radiation practice - MRPBA
Domain 2.2.a. Recognise and evaluate the socio-cultural factors that may influence patient/client attitudes and responses to medical radiation services.
Domain 2.2.b. Apply the principles of cultural competence and culturally safe care to practice.
Domain 2.2.d. Identify and respect appropriate boundaries between patients/clients and health professionals.
Domain 3.1.a. Establish rapport with the patient/client to understand their issues and perspectives.
Domain 3.1.e. Identify likely communication barriers specific to individual patients/clients and/or family/carers and implement strategies to avoid or overcome them.
Domain 3.1.f. Make appropriate adjustments to communication style to suit the particular needs of the patient/client including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
LO5
Professional capabilities for medical radiation practice - MRPBA
Domain 4.1.d. Recognise opportunities to contribute to the development of new knowledge through research and enquiry.
LO6
Professional capabilities for medical radiation practice - MRPBA
Domain 2.1.f. Apply knowledge of the Australian healthcare system to practice.
Domain 2.2.a. Recognise and evaluate the socio-cultural factors that may influence patient/client attitudes and responses to medical radiation services.
Domain 2.2.b. Apply the principles of cultural competence and culturally safe care to practice.
Domain 2.2.d. Identify and respect appropriate boundaries between patients/clients and health professionals.
Domain 3.1.a. Establish rapport with the patient/client to understand their issues and perspectives.
Domain 3.1.e. Identify likely communication barriers specific to individual patients/clients and/or family/carers and implement strategies to avoid or overcome them.
Domain 3.1.f. Make appropriate adjustments to communication style to suit the particular needs of the patient/client including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
LO7
Professional capabilities for medical radiation practice - MRPBA
Domain 2.1.f. Apply knowledge of the Australian healthcare system to practice.
Domain 2.2.a. Recognise and evaluate the socio-cultural factors that may influence patient/client attitudes and responses to medical radiation services.
LO9
Professional capabilities for medical radiation practice - MRPBA
Domain 2.1.b. Manage personal, mental and physical health to ensure fitness to practise.
Professional capabilities for medical radiation practice - MRPBA
Domain 2.1.b. Manage personal, mental and physical health to ensure fitness to practise.
Professional capabilities for medical radiation practice - MRPBA
Domain 2.1.b. Manage personal, mental and physical health to ensure fitness to practise.
Professional capabilities for medical radiation practice - MRPBA
Domain 2.1.b. Manage personal, mental and physical health to ensure fitness to practise.
Domain 3.1.a. Establish rapport with the patient/client to understand their issues and perspectives.
Professional capabilities for medical radiation practice - MRPBA
Domain 2.1.b. Manage personal, mental and physical health to ensure fitness to practise.
National Safety and Quality Health Service - NSQHS
8. Recognising and Responding to Acute Deterioration Standard
National Safety and Quality Health Service - NSQHS
8. Recognising and Responding to Acute Deterioration Standard
Professional capabilities for medical radiation practice - MRPBA
Domain 2.2.c. Display appropriate professional behaviour in patient/client interactions.
Domain 2.5.a. Participate in peer assessment, standard setting, mentorship and provide developmental support to other medical radiation practitioners and other members of the healthcare team.
Domain 3.2.a. Establish and maintain effective and respectful working relationships with health practitioners.
Domain 3.2.b. Understand, acknowledge and respect the roles and responsibilities of healthcare team members and other service providers, and work effectively and collaboratively with them.
Professional capabilities for medical radiation practice - MRPBA
Domain 2.2.c. Display appropriate professional behaviour in patient/client interactions.
Domain 2.3.b. Recognise and respond appropriately to unsafe or unprofessional practice.
National Safety and Quality Health Service -
Competency code Taught, Practiced or Assessed Competency standard
8 A Recognising and Responding to Acute Deterioration Standard

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Student feedback has been relatively positive. More time for discussion of concepts will be provided during lectures, and more interaction with teaching staff will be provided. Lectures have been revised to telegraph structure more clearly, and to link between the two modules more clearly.

The Canvas E-Learning Management System (LMS) supports the teaching in this unit. Material presented in lectures will be posted just after the lecture, or in the week prior to the lecture on the LMS site. The site also contains incofmation about assessment, links to the weekly online quizzes, set readings, tutorial information, announcements and updates. You should go to the site at least twice a week. You will access online learning activities that complement the online quiz program through the LMS site.

You must read all unit materials, announcements on the site and all emails sent to your student email address to ensure you do not miss important announcements about assessment, classes or content.

 

Additional costs

There are no additional costs for this unit.

Site visit guidelines

There are no site visit guidelines for this unit.

Work, health and safety

There are no specific WHS requirements for this unit.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.