Introduction to Health (9829.2)

Please note these are the 2024 details for this unit
Home
/
Find your course
/
Introduction to Health
Available teaching periods Delivery mode Location
View teaching periods Hybrid
 UC College, Bruce, ACT
Bruce, Canberra
EFTSL Credit points Faculty
0.125 3 Faculty Of Health
Discipline Study level HECS Bands
Public Health Level 1 - Undergraduate Introductory Unit Band 2 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan 2021)
Band 3 2021 (Commenced Before 1 Jan 2021)
In this unit students are challenged to explore the many dimensions of 'health' and the way our thinking about health, and provision of health services has evolved. We look at what predated the World Health Organisation's landmark 1948 definition and what has developed since, including the Alma Ata Declaration of Primary Health Care, The Ottawa Charter of Health Promotion, The Social Determinants of Health, Planetary Health and the Millennium and Sustainable Development Goals. We also explore the evolution of the Australian Health System, meet different health professionals and look at how our needs and expectations are changing as our population and environment change. We also examine how health systems and service provision differ around the globe.

Learning outcomes

On the successful completion of this unit students will be able to:
1. Assess and appraise different aspects of health, health services and the health workforce both within Australia and globally;
2. Examine theories of health and healthcare relevant to a diversity of health activities and professional practice; and
3. Compare and evaluate individual, population and global contexts of health.


Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - display initiative and drive, and use their organisation skills to plan and manage their workload
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
2. UC graduates are global citizens - think globally about issues in their profession
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development


Skills development

As we share our own knowledge, teaching, learning, and research practices within this University may we also pay respect to the knowledge and traditions of the Ngunnawal peoples.



Prerequisites

None.

Corequisites

None.

Incompatible units

None.

Equivalent units

None.

Assumed knowledge

None.
Year Location Teaching period Teaching start date Delivery mode Unit convener
2026 UC College, Bruce, ACT Semester 1 16 February 2026 Hybrid Ms Tamieka Mawer
2026 Bruce, Canberra Semester 1 16 February 2026 Hybrid Dr Ro McFarlane
Not available

Required texts

These books are recommended reading only

Keleher, H., & MacDougall, C. (2022). Understanding health (No. Ed. 5). Oxford University Press.    Available as an ebook 

Liamputtong, P (2019) Social Determinants of Health Oxford University Press    Available as an ebook

Other recommended readings are also provided on the canvas sites or held by the Library on short term loan

Submission of assessment items

Extensions & Late submissions

Artificial intelligence

Students are permitted to use generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) as indicated in the assessment instructions for this unit, as well as Studiosity Writing Feedback Plus.

GenAI may only be used in authorised ways when completing assessments at UC. This means that GenAI can only be used for an assessment when:

  1. the Unit Convener has authorised GenAI use for that assessment
  2. the student uses GenAI in the way that the assessment instructions allow
  3. the student fully acknowledges their use of GenAI, with proper citations, references and a GenAI Acknowledgement Statement in line with the assessment instructions.

Where the assessment instructions do not specifically state that GenAI may be used and how, then its use is not permitted for that assessment. Students must still provide the required GenAI Acknowledgement Statement to indicate whether GenAI has or has not been used in the preparation of the assessment. If unsure, students should seek advice from the Unit Convener.

The GenAI for Students Links to an external site. Library Guide provides further information, including how to reference GenAI Links to an external site..

Moderation

The Faculty of Health Policy for Moderation is applied to this unit.

Students must apply academic integrity in their learning and research activities at UC. This includes submitting authentic and original work for assessments and properly acknowledging any sources used.

Academic integrity involves the ethical, honest and responsible use, creation and sharing of information. It is critical to the quality of higher education. Our academic integrity values are honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility and courage.

UC students have to complete the Academic Integrity Module annually to learn about academic integrity and to understand the consequences of academic integrity breaches (or academic misconduct).

UC uses various strategies and systems, including detection software, to identify potential breaches of academic integrity. Suspected breaches may be investigated, and action can be taken when misconduct is found to have occurred.

Information is provided in the Academic Integrity Policy, Academic Integrity Procedure, and University of Canberra (Student Conduct) Rules 2023. For further advice, visit Study Skills.

Learner engagement

University is an opportunity to develop critical thinking skills.

Please note the University of Canberra's policy on use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (genAI) https://www.canberra.edu.au/about-uc/l-and-t/genai-and-assessment-at-uc

Assessments are clearly marked to advise on allowable genAI use. The consequences for illegal use of genAI are significant

Students may use Studiosity Writing Feedback Plus on all assignments

Participation requirements

Whilst attendance at lectures and workshops does not form a component of the mark for this unit, tutorial activities are very focused towards assessments for this unit. Therefore, attendance is expected. Your participation in classes and any out-of-class activities will enhance your understanding of the unit content and therefore the quality of your assessment responses. Lack of participation will severely jeopardise your ability to pass the assessment items as these are explained and modelled in class. Students who do not attend classes tend to fail the unit. Student participation in all aspects of this unit is vital to this unit as is professionalism, maturity in the workplace and respect for colleagues/peers.

Required IT skills

General IT skills.
You will require computer skills to access the internet and be able to upload to the Canvas education site submissions using Word and Portable Document Format (PDF) formats. This unit may involve online tutorials in real-time using a virtual room. To participate verbally, rather than just typing, you will need a microphone. For best audio quality we recommend a microphone and speaker headset. For more information and to test your computer, please visit the UCLearn Student Help link.

In-unit costs

None

Work placement, internships or practicums

None.