93205 Health and Society
Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a
particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source
of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.
Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Subject level:
Undergraduate
Result type: Grade and marksThere are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Description
This subject allows students to develop understanding of the philosophy and expression of primary health care, health promotion and community development as the basis for therapeutic nursing practice in the community. The influence of power and politics on health care and the implications for patients are also explored. Students appreciate the dynamic and diverse nature of the community and the principles and practice of community health nursing. Health promotion and primary health care as defined by the World Health Organization and the social determinants of health form the framework for this subject. Knowledge of the social determinants of health and how they affect people's lives before, during and after illness is necessary for students to develop empathy and understanding of individual circumstances. Empathy and understanding are intrinsic to all nursing practice. The concepts that underpin this subject are: Primary Health Care (PHC); The Social Determinants of Health (SDH); Health Promotion; Public Health.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| A. | Outline the philosophy, principles and practices of Primary Health Care (PHC) and how this translates into practice. RN Standards of Practice 2.3 |
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| B. | Identify and demonstrate an understanding of the social determinants of health (individual, environmental and social factors) that have the potential to impact the health and wellbeing of Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Australians and their implications for nursing practice. RN Standards of Practice 1.3 |
| C. | Recognise current health issues pertaining to the health and wellbeing of Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Australians and employ a strengths-based, upstreaming approach aimed to facilitate empowerment and improved health outcomes. RN Standards of Practice 2.4, 3.2 |
| D. | Demonstrate ability to communicate key subject concepts in a style appropriate to purpose and context through reading, questioning and using relevant professional and scholarly evidence. RN Standards of Practice 1.1, 2.2 |
| E. | Reflect on the impact of the practitioner's own values, attitudes and beliefs as they engage in the professional role. RN Standards of Practice 1.2 |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the following graduate attributes:
- The ability to plan and provide care that is respectful of each individuals’ needs, values and life experiences (1.0)
- The embodiment of a professional disposition committed to ethical, equitable and legal nursing practice (2.0)
- The ability to communicate and collaborate safely, compassionately and respectfully. (3.0)
- The ability to provide patient care premised on the best available evidence (4.0)
- Professional cultural competence that contributes to the health and well-being of Indigenous Australians, inclusive of their physical, social, emotional and spiritual wellbeing (5.0)
Teaching and learning strategies
In this subject, you will participate in a range of teaching and learning strategies that are designed to encourage you to engage and learn about health and our society. This subject benefits from both the face-to-face delivery of content and access to online resources including lectures, readings and videos.
Pre Tutorial Preparation
To get the most out of the tutorials, students are expected to complete the programmed pre-tutorial learning activities prior to attending tutorials. These activities will form the basis of group discussions and practical activities that students will engage in during the tutorials. Therefore you will need to allow time for self-directed study and assignment preparation in addition to time attending tutorials. As a general rule, for every hour of face to face teaching you should allow 1-2 hours of self-directed study that includes pre-work and assignment preparation.
Lectures and online learning materials
The online learning materials and lectures enable students to prepare for and review subject content and support their learning and engagement in tutorials. Online lectures will enable students to work through concepts, statistics and terminology at their own pace to support their learning in tutorials.
Tutorials
Tutorials in this subject will run in large collaborative teaching spaces by teams of tutors. The tutorials provide students an opportunity to explore, interpret and reflect on the complex relationships that exist between health and society. Participation in tutorials will support the development of critical thinking and problem solving skills. Working both individually and in groups, students will increase their evidence-based knowledge and understanding of the subject area, and gain confidence in communicating their thoughts in a clear, coherant and confident manner.
Students will be supported and guided by the teaching team and also work in pairs and groups to unpack the tutorial content. Tutorial activities and content is structured to contribute to the required assessment tasks and students will be provided with feedback from the teaching team and peers.
Academic Writing
Students are expected to comply with academic writing practices with integrity and use information ethically, legally and respectfully.
An aim of this subject is to help you develop academic and professional language and communication skills to succeed at university and in the workplace. During this subject, you will complete a milestone assessment task that will, in addition to assessing your subject-specific learning objectives, assess your English language proficiency.
Response to Previous Student Feedback on Subjects (SFS) Results
Regular feedback is sought from students and other stakeholders about the subjects offered by UTS for the purpose of identifying areas of excellence and potential improvement. The key theme/s from previous feedback about Health and Society 93205 and changes that have been made as a consequence of this feedback are outlined below:
1. Refinement of assessment 2 to provide more time and focus for students to present their ideas for strengths based programs
2. Many students reported they enjoyed the open environment of the large collaborative learning spaces which allows for sharing of perspectives and experiences, but some found this space intimidating to speak up in. We have therefore incorporated more interactive learning strategies in which students can participate and respond collectively on topics being shared and discussed.
Content (topics)
- Introduce the principles and practice of PHC
- Explore definitions of ‘health’ and ‘community’, and the different ways in which health can be effected within our contemporary Australian environment
- Discuss health inequality and inequity, social justice, minority and disadvantaged groups.
- Explore contemporary and historically rooted environmental health concerns and the importance of sustainable projects and resources within the context of health
- Explore the influences of power, politics and health care
- Allow for students to develop a working knowledge of key Australian demographic information (including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples) and discuss how this is incorporated into health care and nursing
- Explore of the concepts and principles of epidemiology, and the role of PHC nurses in assessing and using the relevant data bases
- Explore the application of health promotion and education, and examine current policy and identified priority areas, and how this relates to nursing practice
- Discuss the role of community development and capacity building within the PHC nurse’s role, including how a nurse can be an agent for change
- Increase understanding of the PHC nurse’s values, attitudes and beliefs, and how PHC principles can guide all nursing practice.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Have you been paying attention?
| Intent: | The weekly quizzes will encourage students to engage with preparatory activities and lecture material to check their understanding of the material and to help them be prepared to participate in in-class activities. |
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| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): A, B and C This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 1.0, 4.0 and 5.0 |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Length: | 15 minutes to complete each quiz |
Assessment task 2: Program pitch
| Intent: | The purpose of this assessment is for students to apply their understanding of the social determinants of health to the development of primary health care programs that facilitate the empowerment and improvement of health outcomes for local communities. |
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| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): A, B, C and D This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0 and 5.0 |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Length: | Each team will have 12 minutes to pitch their program. Questions for each team member will be asked after this time. |
Assessment task 3: Reflection
| Intent: | The purpose of this assessment is for students to reflect on what they have learnt in this subject in relation to a contemporary health issue and how their values, attitudes and beliefs may impact on their role as a RN. |
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| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): A, B, C, D and E This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0 and 5.0 |
| Weight: | 40% |
| Length: | 1200 words +/- 10% |
Required texts
There is no compulsory text book for this subject. All required material will be available via links from within Canvas. Please bring the readings and any other relevant content to the tutorial class in the week required.
Other resources
UTS Student Centre
Building 10
Monday to Friday: 9am - 5pm
Tel: 1300 ASK UTS (1300 275 887)
Details for student centres: www.uts.edu.au/current-students/contacts/general-contacts
For other resources/ information refer to the Faculty of Health website (www.uts.edu.au/about/faculty-health) and Canvas at: https://canvas.uts.edu.au/.
UTS Library
The Library has a wide range of resources, facilities and services to support you including textbooks, subject readings, health literature databases, workshops and bookable study rooms. There is also a team of librarians to help you with your questions available via online chat, phone and in person. W: https://www.lib.uts.edu.au/, Facebook: utslibrary, Twitter: @utslibrary Tel: (02) 9514 3666.
Improve your academic and English language skills
Marks for all assessment tasks such as assignments and examinations are given not only for what you write but also for how you write. If you would like the opportunity to improve your academic and English language skills, make an appointment with the HELPS (Higher Education Language & Presentation Support) Service in Student Services.
HELPS (Higher Education Language & Presentation Support)
HELPS provides assistance with English language proficiency and academic language. Students who need to develop their written and/or spoken English should make use of the free services offered by HELPS, including academic language workshops, vacation intensive courses, drop-in consultations, individual appointments and Conversations@UTS (www.ssu.uts.edu.au/helps). HELPS staff are also available for drop-in consultations at the UTS Library. Phone (02) 9514 9733.
Please see www.uts.edu.au for additional information on other resources provided to students by UTS.
The Accessibility and Financial Assistance Service
The Accessibility Service can support students with disabilities, medical or mental health conditions, including temporary injuries (e.g., broken limbs). The Accessibility Service works with Academic Liaison Officers in each Faculty to provide ‘reasonable adjustments’ such as exam provisions, assistive technology, requests and strategies for managing your studies alongside your health condition. If you’re unsure whether you need assistance, we recommend getting in touch early and we can provide advice on how our service can assist you. Make an appointment with an Accessibility Consultant (AC) on +61 2 9514 1177 or Accessibility@uts.edu.au.
The Financial Assistance Service can assist you with financial aspects of life at university, including Centrelink information, tax returns and budgeting, interest-free student loans and grants to assist with course-related costs. Check eligibility and apply online and make an appointment on +61 2 9514 1177 or Financial.assistance@uts.edu.au.