POPLHLTH 103G : Epidemics: Black Death to Bioterrorism

Medical and Health Sciences

2023 Semester Two (1235) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Epidemics have devastated human populations and will continue to do so. This course looks at how epidemics can run rampant through society and how we can control them. It will include examples from the past and present, as well as outline future threats. A diversity of epidemics will be covered, from the plague, gambling, depression, pandemics, nun-biting and alien abduction.

Course Overview

This course explores the concept of the epidemic – the emergence of diseases or conditions affecting many individuals at the same time. It examines epidemics caused by micro-organisms, environmental contaminants, lifestyle choices and self-harming behaviors.
The course covers historical epidemics and pandemics from Black Death to HIV, examines modern-day examples such as influenza, smoking and the infodemic, and explores the concept of social contagion, from nun-biting to alien abduction. The COVID-19 pandemic will be featured and discussed throughout the course.
Note there will be many different lecturers on this course. This is a taste tester for epidemics, a smorgasbord of diseases.

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Course Contacts

Dr Helen Petousis-Harris 
Associate Professor, Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care
School of Population Health
h.petousis-harris@auckland.ac.nz 

Dr Adrian Ludlam 
Research Fellow, Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care
School of Population Health
a.ludlam@auckland.ac.nz 

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Describe the nature and cause of different types of epidemics. (Capability 1.1)
  2. Explain the historical background of epidemics and an understanding of contemporary epidemics in New Zealand and world-wide. (Capability 2.1)
  3. Assess and discuss the actions that might be taken by society to monitor, manage and prevent one modern epidemic. (Capability 3.3)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Quizzes 20% Individual Test
Essay Outline 5% Individual Coursework
Essay 25% Individual Coursework
Final Exam 50% Individual Examination
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3
Quizzes
Essay Outline
Essay
Final Exam

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 2 hours of lectures, a 1 hour tutorial, 2 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 5 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at scheduled activities including tutorials to complete components of the course.
Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including tutorials will not be available as recordings.
The course will not include live online events including tutorials.
Attendance on campus is required for the exam.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Learning 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.

A list of recommended readings is provided. Students will be expected to seek additional readings and read around the topics, and to be prepared to discuss the issues and questions arising from them. This is intended to help students expand their reading on each topic, and is also designed to assist with assignment work. Students are, encouraged to read much more widely. In preparing assignments, students will be expected to have gone well beyond the references listed.

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.

This course receives generally positive feedback from students. The course performs above the average for the School, the Faculty and the University. However students do tend to comment on the many lecturers in the course. Some find it exciting and stimulating while others would prefer a single lecturer. It is important students understand that this course is based on the diversity of epidemics and that most lectures are given by leaders in their respective fields.

Other Information

This course is held at The University of Auckland City Campus. Lectures are at Noon on Tuesday and Thursday. Tutorials are on Tuesday at 1 pm, Thursdays at 1 pm or 2 pm.

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.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

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 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.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

The delivery mode may change depending on COVID restrictions. Any changes will be communicated through Canvas.

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 students may be asked to submit 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. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.

Published on 20/06/2023 03:30 p.m.