Skip to main content
Unit of study_

PUBH5036: Public Health: Critical Challenges

2025 unit information

This unit introduces you to the theoretical and practical underpinnings of public health via a diverse range of case studies. Together we will critically analyse what public health is and what it seeks to achieve. We will explore key concepts that will be taken up in more detail in other core and elective units, challenge current orthodoxies, and seek to develop a reflective and analytical approach to public health practice and research. We will have a particular focus on exploring the health and well-being challenges experienced by indigenous peoples, migrants and other disadvantaged groups, in Australia and globally. We will do this through considering the meaning of evidence and the historical and contemporary public health context, with the aim of working together to identify ethical, innovative and effective solutions. Throughout this unit you will be encouraged to interact with your unit coordinators, tutors and fellow students, ask questions, and respectfully debate answers to questions such as: What is public health? What does it mean to think beyond the social determinants? What is equity and why does it matter? Integration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledges and perspectives: This unit pays particular attention to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander public health challenges and solutions. The Sydney School of Public Health is committed to graduating public health professionals who have the competence and confidence to work effectively and respectfully with Australia's First Peoples. This unit will help prepare you for this work and provide important foundational knowledge that will be further advanced in concurrent and subsequent Master of Public Health units of study.

Unit details and rules

Managing faculty or University school:

Medicine and Health

Study level Postgraduate
Academic unit Public Health
Credit points 6
Prerequisites:
? 
None
Corequisites:
? 
None
Prohibitions:
? 
None
Assumed knowledge:
? 
None

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

  • LO1. understand key historical and theoretical foundations for public health
  • LO2. demonstrate an understanding of relevant concepts in public health ethics
  • LO3. make considered arguments about the ethical dimensions of public health
  • LO4. critically appraise methods and evidence used in public health
  • LO5. demonstrate an understanding of the primordial determinants of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health

Unit availability

This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.

The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.

Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 1 2024
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 1 2024
Online Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 2 2024
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 2 2024
Online Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 1 2025
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Outline unavailable
Semester 1 2025
Online Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Outline unavailable
Semester 2 2025
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Outline unavailable
Semester 2 2025
Online Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Outline unavailable
Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 1 2020
Block mode Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 1 2020
Online Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 2 Early 2020
Block mode Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 2 Early 2020
Online Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 1 2021
Block mode Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 1 2021
Block mode Remote
Semester 1 2021
Online Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 2 2021
Block mode Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 2 2021
Block mode Remote
Semester 2 2021
Online Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 1 2022
Block mode Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 1 2022
Block mode Remote
Semester 1 2022
Online Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 2 2022
Block mode Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 2 2022
Block mode Remote
Semester 2 2022
Online Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 1 2023
Block mode Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 1 2023
Block mode Remote
Semester 1 2023
Online Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 2 2023
Block mode Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 2 2023
Online Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Find your current year census dates

Modes of attendance (MoA)

This refers to the Mode of attendance (MoA) for the unit as it appears when you’re selecting your units in Sydney Student. Find more information about modes of attendance on our website.