Public Health History and Politics

Subject 505-506 (2008)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2008.Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 12.500
Level: Graduate/Postgraduate
Dates & Locations:

This subject is not offered in 2008.

Time Commitment: Contact Hours: One 2-hour seminar per week.
Total Time Commitment: Students should expect a total time commitment outside the stated contact hours of at least three hours for each hour of contact in this subject.
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Coordinator

Centre for the Study of Health & Society
Subject Overview:

This course will study specific problems in public health from both historical and contemporary perspectives. It will explore five public health issues that have a rich history and continue to pose a contemporary political challenge to national governments and the global community. It is hoped that the historical studies will provide context and insight into contemporary problems. The five public health issues will be tuberculosis; sexually transmitted diseases (syphilis/HIVAIDS); maternal and child health; food quality and obesity; pandemics (influenza/SARS).

This course will study specific problems in public health from both historical and contemporary perspectives. It will explore five public health issues that have a rich history and continue to pose a contemporary political challenge to national governments and the global community. It is hoped that the historical studies will provide context and insight into contemporary problems. The five public health issues will be tuberculosis; sexually transmitted diseases (syphilis/HIVAIDS); maternal and child health; food quality and obesity; pandemics (influenza/SARS).

Assessment: Seminar Reading diary: 500 level: 2000 words, reviewed during semester, final version due at end of semester. Students will be expected to keep a diary of their reading of both the recommended historical and contemporary literature (30%).Research essay: 500 level: 3000 words on one of the five case studies in the course. The essay should display evidence of the benefit of historical perspective in understanding the problems of the present and challenges of the future, due at end of semester (70%).
Prescribed Texts: None
Recommended Texts: Printed set of readings will also be available for purchase.
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Links to further information: http://www.sph.unimelb.edu.au
Notes: This subject is a Group 1 elective in the Master of Public Health.

Subject Coordinator: Prof Janet McCalman 8344 9107

Related Course(s): Master of Public Health
Master of Social Health (Aboriginal Health)
Master of Social Health (Health Ethics)
Master of Social Health (Health Policy)
Master of Social Health (Interdisciplinary)
Master of Social Health (Medical Anthropology)

Download PDF version.