POPLHLTH 102 : Health and Society

Medical and Health Sciences

2020 Semester One (1203) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

A description and analysis of health within a social context. Discusses different models of health and provides a range of explanations for how social factors influence health. Options for addressing these issues are also explored.

Course Overview

The main aim of this course is to introduce you to the social determinants of health. This course will introduce a framework through which the causes and effects of social inequalities in health can be understood. You will look critically at common assumptions about health, illness, disease and health care.
You will develop an understanding of the relationship between social factors and how they impact on health, and particularly how they lead to inequalities. The course also explores interventions that might reduce social inequalities in health.
You will also learn not to look for a ‘correct’ answer, but rather to consider a range of perspectives and interpretations and weigh one against another.

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Recognise and explain the relationship between social factors and how they are associated with health outcomes, and particularly how they lead to inequalities. (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 2.1 and 2.2)
  2. Describe possible solutions to reduce health inequalities related to the social determinants of health. (Capability 3.2)
  3. Communicate a clear and logical argument within a traditional essay style. (Capability 2.1, 2.2 and 4.1)
  4. Identify and synthesize a body of literature to answer a specific research question. (Capability 2.2 and 4.1)
  5. Working effectively in a team towards a common goal. (Capability 4.2 and 5.1)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Essay 15% Individual Coursework
Essay 20% Individual Coursework
Tutorial Assignment & Presentation 15% Group Coursework
Exam 50% Individual Examination
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5
Essay
Essay
Tutorial Assignment & Presentation
Exam

Course Contacts

Rob McNeill, Course Director (r.mcneill@auckland.ac.nz)
Monique Palaone-Smith, Professional Teaching Fellow (poplhlth102@auckland.ac.nz)

Workload Expectations

Following University workload guidelines, a standard 15 point course represents approximately 150 hours of study.

For this course, you can expect 24 hours of lectures and 10 hours of tutorial time. Since the course as a whole represents approximately 150 hours of study, that leaves a total of  116 hours across the entire semester for independent study, e.g. reading, reflection, preparing for assessments/exams, etc. 

Digital Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website at http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page: https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

We are continually redeveloping aspects of this course based on previous years' feedback. The main areas of focus for 2020 will be in making refinements to the tutorial programme and continuing to make improvements to the feedback given to students for assignments.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter (https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html).

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 23/11/2020 10:26 a.m.