Unit Outline

This unit applies a critical sociological perspective to health, illness and medicine. Each year the unit will use topical examples to explore expert and public knowledges about health and illness, the social distribution and patterning of health and illness, inequalities in health, experiences of health and illness, the health professions and the politics of health care. Recent examples include vaccination, breastfeeding, alternative medicine, wellness influencers, professionalisation among allied health practitioners and political debates about private health insurance. This unit is highly relevant for students interested in social research or work in sociology, social work, health and social policy related areas. The unit objectives are: (1) to familiarise students with key health related sociological theories and empirical research; (2) to introduce students to contemporary sociological debates about health and illness; and (3) to develop the skills of critical sociological analysis as applied to health and illness.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1.	Explain key concepts, debates and theoretical approaches relating to the sociology of health and illness.
2.	Apply relevant sociological theories and empirical research findings when discussing contemporary health and illness issues.
3.	Articulate your own position on key debates about health and illness.
4.	Communicate your ideas in written forms, using appropriate sociological language and concepts.

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Pre-requisite	25 credit points at Introductory level or higher or admission into A1C - Diploma of Creative Arts and Health

Alterations as a result of student feedback

Weekly on-campus workshops are now 2 hours per week. This change has been made in response to the feedback from previous student cohort. As always, the teaching team will greatly appreciate your feedback both informally during the delivery of the unit in 2024, and formally through the University of Tasmania’s eVALUate surveys following your completion of the unit.

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Online Multiple Choice Quiz	Week 3	10 %	LO1, LO2
Assessment Task 2:	Short Report	Week 6	20 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 3:	Essay	Week 10	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 4:	Take Home Exam	Exam Period	30 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Online Multiple Choice Quiz

Task Description:

Complete an online multiple choice quiz of 10 multiple-choice questions.
The task is designed to help you assess your own progress in the unit and your understanding of key concepts and material covered in weeks 1 and 2. The quiz is open-book – students can refer to any course material during the test. Once a student opens the quiz they must complete it within 20 minutes.

Task Length:

Due Date:

Week 3 (25/Mar/2024)

Weight:

10 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Demonstrate understanding of key sociological concepts and terms relevant a sociological approach to health and illness.	LO1, LO2
2	Ability to correctly understand and apply information presented in the unit materials.	LO1, LO2

Assessment Task 2: Short Report

Task Description:

Write a short report on a topic related to socioeconomic status and health, gender and health or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health. Details will be provided in Mylo.

Task Length:

1000 words.

Due Date:

Week 6 (08/Apr/2024)

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Answers the question: Directly addresses the set task, stays focused and adheres to the instructions for the report.	LO1, LO2, LO4
2	Understanding: Demonstrates understanding of sociological concepts and empirical research relevant to the question and the sociology of health and illness. Example(s) used to demonstrate understanding.	LO1, LO2
3	Structure and expression: Adhere to specified formatting for the report. Develop an argument where you articulate your position. A logical progression of ideas. Clear written expression	LO3, LO4
4	: Uses appropriate sociological, sources, government health and demographic data and relevant empirical research. Includes at least two articles from the specified sociological journals and cite from the AIHW and/or ABS	LO2, LO4
5	Referencing: Consistently uses Harvard referencing style as outlined in the Sociology referencing guide provided to students in this unit.	LO4

Assessment Task 3: Essay

Task Description:

See details provided in Mylo site for this unit.

Task Length:

2000 words.

Due Date:

Week 10 (06/May/2024)

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Answers the question: Engages with the set question thoughtfully and presents a clear answer to the question Presents an argument that is supported by the literature. Follows the instructions.	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
2	Understanding: Shows a critical understanding of the chosen topics/ sociological debates/concepts, etc. Demonstrates an understanding of the different ways in which sociologists explain the social nature of health and illness. Synthesises material to	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
3	Structure and Expression: Conforms to a recognised essay structure, including a clear argument and logical progression through ideas. Clear and concise written expression using appropriate sociological language to identify and analyse the issues.	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
4	Sources: Uses a wide range of appropriate sources. Uses the set readings for the assessment tasks and also include references to other materials set in this unit including the textbook and relevant weekly readings.	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
5	Referencing: Consistently uses Harvard referencing style as outlined in the Sociology referencing guide provided to students in this unit.	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment Task 4: Take Home Exam

Task Description:

Exam

Task Length:

Online examination – further details will be released during the semester

Due Date:

Exam Period (10/Jun/2024)

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Answers the question: Presents a clear and sociologically informed answer to the exam questions.	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
2	Understanding: Shows an understanding of the relevant issues, sociological debates and concepts. Demonstrates awareness and understanding of a sociological approach to health and illness.	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
3	Structure and Expression: A clear argument and logical progression through ideas. Expresses ideas clearly and concisely.	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
4	Sources: Uses appropriate sources to support their arguments and provides references.	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.

Review of results and appeals

You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.