Unit Outline

This unit introduces the scope of public health practice in the 21st century and the social, political and economic context within which public health practitioners operate. The unit combines theoretical and practical content to assist your learning about the determinants of health; importance of improved equity to raising health standards locally, nationally and globally, and ways by which communities can be engaged and empowered to identify and address issues that affect their health. Different health outcomes for people across a range of communities will be critically examined in relation to public health practice.

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	Analyse a definition of public health and its development within the Australian and global contexts
2	Critically reflect on and advocate for the delivery of public health functions in the Australian context
3	Critically analyse the determinants of health and health inequities, and their impact(s) on the health outcomes of populations and in particular Indigenous peoples
4	Critique how public health priority issues are addressed by policy at a local, national and global level
5	Communicate key challenges for the health of populations, and potential solutions at a local, national and global level

Alterations as a result of student feedback

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:	Discussion Board	Week 3	10 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO5
Assessment Task 2:	Public Health Case Study	Week 5	20 %	LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5
Assessment Task 3:	Social Determinants and Health Equity Report	Week 9	30 %	LO3, LO4, LO5
Assessment Task 4:	Interactive Oral Presentation	Week 12	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Discussion Board

Task Description:

Critically analyse a definition of public health and reflect on public health functions in Australia with your fellow students.

Task Length:

500 words

Due Date:

Week 3

Weight:

10 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Critical analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of a definition of public health	LO1, LO2
2	Reflect on how public health functions align with the needs of populations and Indigenous peoples	LO2, LO3, LO5
3	Engages in clear and relevant academic discourse with peers. Appropriately acknowledges academic references to support ideas, including the use of generative AI	LO1, LO2, LO5

Assessment Task 2: Public Health Case Study

Task Description:

Critically analyse a public health case study for how the social determinants interact to influence population health outcomes. Assistance of generative AI is permitted to generate a public health case study. Submit both your evaluation and the case study.

Task Length:

1000 Words

Due Date:

Week 5

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Demonstrate the relationship between social determinants and population health outcomes.	LO3, LO4
2	Critically reflect on the lessons learned from the case study.	LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5
3	Applies evidence from published peer-reviewed literature and research while adhering to university standards for academic integrity	LO3, LO4, LO5

Assessment Task 3: Social Determinants and Health Equity Report

Task Description:

Select a determinant of health from Assessment Task 2. Use evidence from published peer-reviewed literature to discuss and recommend potential policy solutions to improve health equity.

Task Length:

2000 Words

Due Date:

Week 9

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Analyses the complex interplay of health determinants and their impact on health equity and inequity, critically evaluating how these factors intersect to shape health outcomes	LO3, LO5
2	Develops evidence-based policy recommendations to enhance health equity	LO4, LO5
3	Applies evidence from published peer-reviewed literature and research while adhering to university standards for academic integrity, including responsible use of generative AI, proper English conventions, and accurate academic referencing	LO3, LO4, LO5

Assessment Task 4: Interactive Oral Presentation

Task Description:

Building on Task 3, present your policy solutions to improve health equity in a conversation with peers and assessors.

Task Length:

10-minute discussion

Due Date:

Week 12

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Presents evidence-based policy recommendations to address health equity issues	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5
2	Identifies and discusses strengths, limitations and valid implementation challenges	LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5
3	Provides clear, well-structured and logical arguments	LO3, LO4, LO5

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.

Academic progress review

The results for this unit may be included in a review of your academic progress. For information about progress reviews and what they mean for all students, see Academic Progress Review in the Student Portal.

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.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

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.