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Unit outline_

HSBH3001: Health and Indigenous Populations

Semester 1, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

The increasing need to address the health of Indigenous populations is not a new phenomenon. This Unit of Study teaches students, from an Indigenous Australian lens, about delivering services to Indigenous populations to address health and wellness. The semester journey takes into account the strength of Indigenous ways of doing, knowing and being that have enabled Indigenous people to address the social, political and cultural determinants of health. Students will be engaged in understanding the complexities surrounding the collection and recording of accurate Indigenous population health data that has led to Indigenous disadvantage and the gap in life expectancy that Australia still struggles to close. Students will be engaged in strategies for effective cultural communication with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health professionals and patients/ clients. Ethical approaches required for researching Indigenous peoples and communities will also be explored.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Health Sciences
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
HSBH1007 or HSBH2007 or BACH1161 or HSBH1003
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
NURS2008
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Vanessa Lee, vanessa.lee@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Online task Online Quiz
Online Quiz
4% Week 02
Due date: 06 Mar 2020 at 04:00

Closing date: 06 Mar 2020
30 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO3 LO2
Assignment Case Study Report
Case study
40% Week 05 1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Online task Online Quiz
Online Quiz
4% Week 06
Due date: 03 Apr 2020 at 04:00

Closing date: 03 Apr 2020
30 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Online task Online Quiz
Online Quiz
4% Week 08
Due date: 24 Apr 2020 at 04:00

Closing date: 24 Apr 2020
30 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO3 LO2
Assignment Critique Diary
Diary entries
40% Week 09 1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Online task Online Quiz
Online Quiz
4% Week 12
Due date: 22 May 2020 at 04:00

Closing date: 22 May 2020
30 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Online task Online Quiz
Online Quiz
4% Week 13
Due date: 29 May 2020 at 04:00

Closing date: 29 May 2020
30 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2

Assessment summary

  • Online Quiz: There are five quizzes in total and each quiz is worth 4%.
  • Case Study Report: You are required to identify a current Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander program that is being delivered by an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled health organisation in a rural, urban, or remote setting.
  • Critique Diary: The aim of the critique diary is to provide you with the opportunity to objectively critique one different topic of your choice from the lecture each week. Each critique requires you to provide constructive feedback based on unbiased thoughts and facts.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (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.

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 1. Overview and administration. 2. Library referencing (last 30 mins). 3. No Tutorial. Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 02 1. Kanyini and the social, cultural and political determinants impacting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. 2. Quiz 1 due. 3. Tutorial. Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO7
Week 03 1. Health systems in Indigenous contemporary society. 2. Tutorial ‘Kinship Module’ https://sydney.edu.au/about-us/vision-and-values/our-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-community/kinship-module.html Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 04 1. Health service delivery and the three C’s - communication, community, and culture. 2. Tutorial. Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 05 1. Self-identification Vrs Indigeneity. 2. Tutorial. 3. Case Study Report due. Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO7
Week 06 1. Mental health vs Social and Emotional Wellbeing - co-design with Indigenous people. 2. Tutorial. 3. Quiz 2 due. Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 08 1. Close the Gap or Closing the Gap in First People’s health. 2. Quiz 3 due. 3. Tutorial Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 09 1. Effective service delivery for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with a disability. 2. Tutorial Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 10 1. Service delivery in rural Australia: what does it take? 2. Tutorial. 3. Assessment item 3 'Critique Diary' due. Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO3 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 11 1. Community engagement in health promotion with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. 3. Tutorial Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5 LO7
Week 12 1. Understanding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community- based research. 2. Tutorial. 3. Quiz 4 due Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO7
Week 13 Course review Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance Requirements: Your attendance is required at both lectures and tutorials and will be recorded for this course. In line with the Faculty of Medicine and Health policy, you are required to have an attendance record of 90%. Your attendance record will be considered when allocating final grades at the end of the semester.

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

All recommended readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library.

Carson, B., Dunbar, T., Chenhall, R., & Bailie, R. (Eds.). (2007). Social determinants of Indigenous health. Crows Nest, NSW: Allen & Unwin.

Couzos, S., & Murray, R. (Eds.). (2008). Aboriginal primary health care. An evidence-based approach (3rd ed.). South Melbourne: Oxford University Press.

Smith, J. (Ed.). (2007). Australia's rural and remote health: A social justice perspective
(2nd ed.). Victoria: Tertiary Press.

Walter, M. (2019). Social Research Methods (4th edition). Docklands Victoria: Oxford University Press

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. (critically) evaluate the impact of history and policy on the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
  • LO2. analyse the complexities in collecting and recording accurate population health data of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, and the current health status of Indigenous people in comparison with non-Indigenous people
  • LO3. describe the challenges for health professionals when confronted with the health inequalities experienced by Indigenous Australians, and provide examples of how to overcome these challenges
  • LO4. critique the literature on the media commentary surrounding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s health
  • LO5. identify what is considered as ethical and culturally competent when communicating with Indigenous peoples and/or communities
  • LO6. describe the most appropriate model of health care, as per the evidence, to address the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and explain why this model and approach of service delivery is so effective
  • LO7. analyse Indigenous health while recognising and avoiding cultural bias, and considering the social and cultural contexts of health issues.

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

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

Following student feedback, assessment 2 has been reviewed and no longer requires students to contact an organisation about the their program. Due to the broken link for the the cultural competence on-line training that prerequisite has now been removed.

More information about this unit of study can be found on Canvas.

If you would like to discuss any aspects of this Unit of Study, I can be reached via email vanessa.lee@sydney.edu.au for an appointment, or approack me after the lectures on Friday.

Site visit guidelines

There are no site visit guidelines for this 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.