HS3100 - Social Constructions of Health in Australia

Credit points:	03
Year:	2013
Student Contribution Band:	Band 1
Administered by:	School of Nursing, Midwifery & Nutrition

This subject introduces the student to social and cultural concepts of the origins of health and illness with a particular focus on Australias health system. Topics addressed include: biomedical and social models of health; the comparative health status of different social groups; factors influencing the preservation or marginalisation of health; the health professions; socio-political influences on health; the health care system; and the interrelationships between patients/clients, health care providers and health institutions. Issues that must be considered in planning health care services that are responsive to the needs of all community groups are broadly addressed.

Learning Outcomes

• demonstrate an understanding of the social, cultural and political dimensions of health and illness;
• describe and analyse the relationships between governments, bureaucracies, health professionals, consumer and other interest groups;
• discuss the political processes involved in health care policies and provision;
• discuss the ways in which health status and inequalities are socially determined;
• incorporate social perspectives into professional practice.

Graduate Qualities

• The ability to adapt knowledge to new situations;
• The ability to think critically, to analyse and evaluate claims, evidence and arguments, and to reason and deploy evidence clearly and logically;
• The ability to deploy critically evaluated information to practical ends;
• The ability to find and access information using appropriate media and technologies;
• An understanding of the economic, legal, ethical, social and cultural issues involved in the use of information;
• The ability to select and organise information and to communicate it accurately, cogently, coherently, creatively and ethically;
• The ability to read complex and demanding texts accurately, critically and insightfully;
• The ability to speak and write clearly, coherently and creatively;
• The ability to work with people of different gender, age, ethnicity, culture, religion and political persuasion;
• The ability to work individually and independently;
• The ability to use online technologies effectively and ethically;
• The ability to appraise information critically.

Prerequisites:	NS2003 AND NS2004
Inadmissible Subject Combinations:	HS2000

Availabilities
External, Study Period 1
Census Date 28-Mar-2013
Coordinator:	Ms Marie Bodak
Method of Delivery:	WWW - LearnJCU
Assessment:	end of semester exam (50%); assignments (50%).

Note: Minor variations might occur due to the continuous Subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.