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Unit outline_

SEXH5405: Abortion, Contraception and Preconception Care

Semester 2, 2024 [Block mode] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit of study aims to provide students with an understanding of fertility control across the reproductive lifespan. This will include in depth information on the range of hormonal and non-hormonal reversible contraceptive methods, emergency contraception and permanent methods of contraception. The impact of age, culture, tradition, society, personal beliefs, disability, and health on contraceptive choices and reproductive health will be explored as well as the consequences of unintended pregnancy and the importance of access to abortion. The unit is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills in the field of preconception care, while discussing the latest evidence regarding optimisation of health before pregnancy with a focus will be on conditions where preconception care is particularly beneficial such as diabetes and obesity.

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 Emma Mason, emma.mason@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Kirsten Black, kirsten.black@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Essay
Essay
50% Formal exam period
Due date: 20 Nov 2024 at 23:59
2,000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO6 LO7
Online task Online discussions
Online discussions
10% Ongoing 200 words each
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Presentation group assignment Group case study presentation
In person oral presentation during face-to-face intensive workshop
20% Week 10
Due date: 12 Oct 2024 at 17:00
20 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Small test Multiple Choice Quiz (MCQ)
Online quiz
20% Week 13
Due date: 01 Nov 2024 at 12:00
25 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
group assignment = group assignment ?

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 (SEXH5405) 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 Orientation week Independent study (10 hr)  
Week 02 Module 1: Introduction to the unit of study Independent study (10 hr)  
Week 03 Module 2: Contraceptive choices throughout life Independent study (10 hr)  
Week 04 Module 3: Contraception considerations in adolescence Independent study (10 hr)  
Week 05 Module 4: Non-Hormonal contraceptive options Independent study (10 hr)  
Week 06 Module 5: Hormonal contraceptive options including emergency contraception Independent study (10 hr)  
Week 07 Module 6: Improving access to LARC part 1: the contraceptive implant Independent study (10 hr)  
Week 08 Module 7: Improving access to LARC part 2: The IUD Independent study (10 hr)  
Week 09 Module 8: Preconception care 1 Independent study (10 hr)  
Week 10 Face-to-face intensive workshop (2.5 days, compulsory) Block teaching (17 hr)  
Week 11 Module 9: Preconception care 2 Independent study (10 hr)  
Week 12 Module 10: Abortion Independent study (10 hr)  
Week 13 Revision and preparation for assessments Independent study (10 hr)  

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance at the face-to-face intensive workshop is compulsory for all students. Failure to attend may result in an absent fail for the 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

This unit of study has the following textbooks:

Recommended textbooks

Contraception today. Guillebaud, John, author. 2020
Available online via the University of Sydney Library here

Preconception Health and Care: A Life Course Approach. Shawe, Jill; Steegers, Eric A.P; Verbiest, Sarah. 2020.
Available online via the University of Sydney Library here

For information on clinical consultation refer to:

Handbook of contraception and sexual health. Everett, Suzanne, author. 2020.
Available online via the University of Sydney Library here

All other 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. discuss the available options for controlling fertility, including hormonal and non-hormonal reversible contraceptive methods, emergency contraception and permanent methods of contraception
  • LO2. understand the reproductive health needs of women from adolescence through to menopause
  • LO3. understand the consequences of unintended pregnancy and describe the options available to women
  • LO4. discuss the impact of unsafe abortion in an international context
  • LO5. demonstrate an understanding of the impact of age, culture, tradition, society, personal beliefs, disability and health on contraceptive choices
  • LO6. understand the key principles and components of preconception care
  • LO7. demonstrate an understanding of how to improve service delivery of preconception care.

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.