Skip to main content
Unit outline_

SEXH5205: Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health

Semester 2, 2024 [Online] - Westmead, Sydney

This unit aims to introduce adolescent sexual and reproductive health. The key areas of learning are adolescent development, adolescent sexual and reproductive health, diversity and intersectionality, communication and engagement, healthcare access and sexual and reproductive health promotion. This course will be of interest to public health professionals, health promotion workers and clinicians who want to work with diverse groups of adolescents in sexual and reproductive health. On completion of this unit, students will be able to: (i) Describe the biological, psychological, and social determinants of adolescent sexual and reproductive health and their complex interactions. (ii) Understand the sexual and reproductive health of adolescents. (iii) Understand techniques to optimise communication with diverse groups of adolescents, considering legal, ethical and safety factors. (iv) Understand the public health implications of adolescent sexual and reproductive health, including health promotion and healthcare access.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Sexual Health
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Fiona Robards, fiona.robards@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Online task Assessment 1: Online Dicussion 1
Online discussion
15% Week 04
Due date: 21 Aug 2024 at 23:59
1000 words total
Outcomes assessed: LO1
Online task Assessment 2: Online Discussion 2
Online discussion
15% Week 07
Due date: 11 Sep 2024 at 23:59
1000 words total
Outcomes assessed: LO1
Assignment Assessment 3: Case Study
Case study
30% Week 10
Due date: 09 Oct 2024 at 23:59
1750 words
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3
Assignment Assessment 4: Essay
Essay
40% Week 13
Due date: 30 Oct 2024 at 23:59
2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO4

Assessment summary

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 sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

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:

Please note, for this unit of study (SEXH5205) the late submission penalty will be 5% of the maximum awardable mark for 10 calendar days only. If the assessment is submitted more than 10 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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Module 1: Adolescent sexual development Independent study (10 hr)  
Week 02 Module 2: Adolescent sexual health Independent study (10 hr)  
Week 03 Module 3: Adolescent reproductive health Independent study (10 hr)  
Online Class - Welcome session (compulsory) Online class (1 hr)  
Week 04 Module 4: Diversity and intersectionality Independent study (10 hr)  
Online Class - Contraception options for adolescents (compulsory) Online class (1 hr)  
Week 05 Module 5: Legal and ethical issues Independent study (10 hr)  
Online class - Adolescent health and diversity (compulsory) Online class (1 hr)  
Week 06 Module 6: Effective communication and engagement Independent study (10 hr)  
Online class - Clinical skills - working with adolescents (compulsory) Online class (1 hr)  
Week 07 Module 7: Conduct a psychosocial (HEEADSSS) assessment Independent study (10 hr)  
Online class - Youth participation (compulsory) Online class (1 hr)  
Week 08 Module 8: Accessible, youth friendly services Independent study (10 hr)  
Online class - Promoting access to healthcare (compulsory) Online class (1 hr)  
Week 09 Module 9: Promoting sexual health Independent study (10 hr)  
Online class - Promoting sexual health with Aboriginal young people (compulsory) Online class (1 hr)  
Week 10 Revision Independent study (10 hr)  
Week 11 Revision Independent study (10 hr)  
Week 12 Revision Independent study (10 hr)  
Week 13 Revision Independent study (10 hr)  

Attendance and class requirements

See Canvas for the online lecture dates and times. 

Attendance at the online lectures facilitated via Zoom is compulsory for all students.

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 readings for this unit can be accessed on Canvas

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. Describe the biological, psychological, and social determinants of adolescent sexual and reproductive health and their complex interactions.
  • LO2. Understand the sexual and reproductive health of adolescents.
  • LO3. Understand techniques to optimise communication with diverse groups of adolescents, considering legal, ethical and safety factors.
  • LO4. Understand the public health implications of adolescent sexual and reproductive health, including health promotion and healthcare access.

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.

UoS Coordinator considered feedback and made appropriate changes/improvements

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.