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Unit outline_

NURS6033: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health

Semester 1, 2021 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit of study explores contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and the ways in which historical circumstances have had, and continue to have, an impact on the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Students will explore the most significant social determinants of health as these relate to the health of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations. The subject includes introduction to key terminology, concepts and skills that can enable students to engage in respectful and culturally safe health care with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. While the unit will focus primarily on the health of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, it will also provide opportunity for comparison with the health of the Indigenous populations in other nations. The subject will provide an overview of and opportunity for critical discussion in relation to strategic planning in Indigenous health contexts. Students will have opportunity to focus specifically on Indigenous health programs, and to examine issues and control, planning, delivery and evaluation processes.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Nursing and Midwifery
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
NURS5002
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Sybele Christopher, sybele.christopher@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam (Record+) Type B final exam Assessment 3 Final Exam
There are three sections in this paper (Section A, B and C).
40% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Assignment Assessment 1 Critical Essay
40% Week 05
Due date: 04 Apr 2021 at 23:59
1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Presentation group assignment Assessment 2 Group Presentation
Group will be allocated one target to explore and critically examine
20% Week 09
Due date: 09 May 2021 at 23:59
15 minute group presentation Submission
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
group assignment = group assignment ?
Type B final exam = Type B final exam ?

Assessment summary

Critical Essay: 

For this essay, students are required to critique one (1) of the provided government policies. With reference to relevant literature, critically discuss the extent to which the policy selected has achieved its objectives in relation to the experience of dispossession.  In their response, students are required to refer to the concept of health inequalities. 

  • Students are encouraged to consult the marking rubric as they develop their critical essay submission.  Time is set aside in Tutorial 2 to field assessment inquiries and a Critical Essay discussion forum is available on CANVAS.

Group presentation:

  • Each group will be allocated one one Closing the Gap target (2020)  to explore and critically examine the reason behind the target’s inclusion in the strategy, providing linkage to relevant social determinants of health.
  • Student teams will present their group presentation, having submitted their powerpoint slides and a referenced summary the Sunday prior to Presentation week (week 9)
  • Students are encouraged to consult the marking rubric as they develop their PowerPoint presentation.  Time is set aside in Tutorial 2 to field assessment inquiries and a group Presentation discussion forum is available on CANVAS.

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.

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:

Where an assignment is submitted late without an approved extension, a late penalty will apply. For every calendar day up to and including ten calendar days after the due date a penalty of 5% of the maximum awardable marks will be applied to late work. For work submitted more than ten calendar days after the due date a mark of zero marks 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. Introduction to the Unit. Social determinants of health. Closing the gap and health inequities Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1
Week 01 2. Acknowledgement / Welcome to country Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Why Indigenous and Torres Straits Islander peoples health matter. Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Week 02 3. Colonisation, invasion, policies and impact Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Week 03 4. Self directed learning activity Australian healthcare different challenges and opportunities in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander healthcare Online class (2 hr) LO2 LO4
Week 04 5. Determinants of health for Aboriginal and Torre Strait Islander peoples and Closing the Gap 2020 Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 05 6. Cultural safety in Australian Health care and communicating with Indigenous Australians Lecture (2 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 10 10. Caring for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people; challenges and opportunities. Lecture (2 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6
Group presentations Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 11 11. Art and health with the resident Aboriginal artist, Ms. Tanya Martin (Boomali Gallery) Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5 LO6
Artist in residence Story telling, sharing culture Tutorial (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 12 12. Unit of study revision and exam preparation Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6

Attendance and class requirements

 

 

The Sydney Nursing School Resolutions specifically outline attendance requirements. Resolution 7.2 states that if students are absent without leave for more than 10% of classes in a particular unit of study in any one semester, the Head of School may call upon them to show cause why they should not be deemed to have failed that unit of study. Students must also attend 100% of all clinical simulation laboratories (CSL) and off-campus clinical, which are supplemented with online and group activities.

Referencing guide: The Sydney Nursing School has adopted the American Psychological Association (APA) Referencing style, 6th Edition, 2010 as its official referencing style. This is an author-date style of referencing. 

Attendance: Attendance at lectures and tutorial class sessions is a requirement of the unit of study and students who are absent without good cause may not be eligible to achieve a minimum grade of PASS. The Sydney Nursing School Resolutions specifically outline attendance requirements. Resolution 7.2 states that if students are absent without leave for more that 10% of classes in a particular unit of study in any one semester, the Dean may call upon them to show cause why they should not be deemed to have failed that unit of study.

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

See E-Reserve for 2021 Reading list

 

 

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. Search for, evaluate and discuss the strengths and positive contributions made by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, communities and services in Australia.
  • LO2. Identify important historical and policy factors that have influenced the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
  • LO3. Discuss the current health status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and how this compares with the health of non-Indigenous Australians and Indigenous populations internationally.
  • LO4. Critically discuss the importance of acknowledging different ways of understanding health conditions from Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and other diverse cultural perspectives and the implications this can have for healthcare.
  • LO5. Develop awareness of culturally sensitive modes of communicating and delivering healthcare in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities such as Aboriginal art.
  • LO6. Demonstrate knowledge of the need for nurses and other health professionals to be culturally competent practitioners, and a foundational understanding of how to work with Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island peoples in culturally safe ways.

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
LO1         
LO2         
LO3         
LO4         
LO5         
LO6         

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes Competency standards
LO1
Registered Nurses Standards for Practice - NMBA
1.1. Accesses, analyses, and uses the best available evidence, that includes research findings for safe quality practice
2.4. Provides support and directs people to resources to optimise health related decisions
2.7. Actively fosters a culture of safety and learning that includes engaging with health professionals and others, to share knowledge and practice that supports person- centered care
3.2. Provides the information and education required to enhance people’s control over health
LO2
Registered Nurses Standards for Practice - NMBA
1.3. Respects all cultures and experiences, which includes responding to the role of family and community that underpin the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people of other cultures
2.3. Recognises that people are the experts in the experience of their life
LO3
Registered Nurses Standards for Practice - NMBA
1.1. Accesses, analyses, and uses the best available evidence, that includes research findings for safe quality practice
4.3. Works in partnership to determine factors that affect, or potentially affect, the health and well being of people and populations to determine priorities for action and/or for referral
7.1. Evaluates and monitors progress towards the expected goals and outcomes
LO4
Registered Nurses Standards for Practice - NMBA
1.2. Develops practice through reflection on experiences, knowledge, actions, feelings and beliefs to identify how these shape practice
2.2. Communicates effectively, and is respectful of a person’s dignity, culture, values, beliefs and rights
2.3. Recognises that people are the experts in the experience of their life
4.1. Conducts assessments that are holistic as well as culturally appropriate
LO5
Registered Nurses Standards for Practice - NMBA
2.2. Communicates effectively, and is respectful of a person’s dignity, culture, values, beliefs and rights
2.4. Provides support and directs people to resources to optimise health related decisions
3.3. Uses a lifelong learning approach for continuing professional development of self and others
4.2. Uses a range of assessment techniques to systematically collect relevant and accurate information and data to inform practice
LO6
Registered Nurses Standards for Practice - NMBA
1.3. Respects all cultures and experiences, which includes responding to the role of family and community that underpin the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people of other cultures
2.2. Communicates effectively, and is respectful of a person’s dignity, culture, values, beliefs and rights
6.1. Provides comprehensive safe, quality practice to achieve agreed goals and outcomes that are responsive to the nursing needs of people
7.1. Evaluates and monitors progress towards the expected goals and outcomes

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

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered apart from assessments, competency mapping, learning activities and learning outcomes linked.

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.