POPLHLTH 211 : Introduction to Environmental Health
Medical and Health Sciences
2022 Semester Two (1225) (15 POINTS)
Course Prescription
Course Overview
The goal of this course is to give an overview of some of the key aspects of environmental health, here in New Zealand, regionally and internationally.
By "environmental health", we mean the study of external causes of disease and injury, rather than causes that are internal, that are found within the body. In this course we focus mainly on the physical environment rather than social, political and cultural environments, and we are interested, in particular, in those factors that can be modified.
Environmental health thinking takes a systems approach and there are a wide range of interconnected issues from the global (e.g. climate change), to the regional (e.g. cross-border air pollution) to the local (e.g. air quality, water, noise, cities, transport and housing).
It is important to appreciate that there are different 'world views' and 'values' when it comes to the 'environment' and 'wellbeing'. The course will explore Māori and Pacific perspectives on the environment, health and wellbeing and will also look at the concept of sustainability, as well as sustainability and the health sector. Environmental health inequities are common with regards to the causation, impacts and response to environmental health issues, and some of these inequities will be covered in the course.
As well as environmental problems, success stories in environmental health will also be discussed. There are significant achievements, hard fought at the time, but now taken for granted, that we can learn from and apply to other environmental issues.
There will be discussion of ways to influence environmental issues as a citizen, a health professional or as an advocate. Students in the course will learn submission writing skills - this is a key way for health professionals and citizens to influence the policy decision-making process.
The course will build on basic understandings of health determinants and epidemiology acquired in Population Health (POPLHLTH 111).
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 |
| Capability 6: | Social and Environmental Responsibilities |
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate an understanding of how the environment affects health. (Capability 1.1, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 5.1 and 6.2)
- Demonstrate an understanding of how human activities impact on the environment and health. (Capability 1.1, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.3, 4.2, 5.2, 6.1 and 6.2)
- Understand and use some examples of key local, regional and global environmental health issues. (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.3, 4.1, 5.2, 6.1 and 6.2)
- Demonstrate an understanding of Maori and Pacific perspectives on the environment, health and wellbeing. (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.3, 4.1, 4.2, 5.2, 6.1 and 6.2)
- Demonstrate an appreciation of approaches that may be taken to identify, understand and manage environmental hazards and risks. (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.3, 5.2, 6.1 and 6.2)
- Demonstrate an understanding of inequities in environmental health. (Capability 1.1, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.3, 4.1, 4.2, 5.2, 6.1 and 6.2)
- Develop skills in writing submissions - an important skill for health professionals and citizens. Understand the importance of public voice, advocacy and participation of communities in environmental health decision-making. (Capability 1.1, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.3, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3)
- Develop an awareness of the concept of sustainability in general, as well as sustainability and the health sector. (Capability 1.1, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.3, 5.2, 6.1 and 6.2)
Assessments
| Assessment Type | Percentage | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | 50% | Individual Coursework |
| Exam | 40% | Individual Examination |
| Tutorials | 10% | Individual Coursework |
| 3 types | 100% |
| Assessment Type | Learning Outcome Addressed | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | |||
| Coursework | ||||||||||
| Exam | ||||||||||
| Tutorials | ||||||||||
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 2 hour tutorial every other week, 2 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 5 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.
Delivery Mode
Campus Experience
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.
Attendance is expected at scheduled tutorials to complete components of the course.
Lectures will be delivered in a variety of formats depending on COVID restrictions, lecturer availability and other circumstances. The lecture sessions will be onsite where possible. Other formats may include live online lectures, prerecorded lectures and self-directed learning sessions.
Lectures will be usually be available as recordings; however, tutorials are not usually not recorded unless there is a need for online learning.
The course will sometimes include live group discussions in lectures and tutorials.
Attendance on campus is required for the exam, unless there is a need for an online exam.
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.
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.
Student feedback has led to changes in the assignments, which now require students to reflect on different aspects of a common public health problem. Feedback led to bringing back the ‘student choice’ lecture in the second half of the semester.
Other Information
This course is held at The University of Auckland Grafton Campus when there are on-campus sessions.
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.