Culture and Ethics

Subject 563-806 (2008)

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

Credit Points: 25.000
Level: Graduate/Postgraduate
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2008:

Semester 1, - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 5 hours per week of seminars for 12 weeks, 10.5 hours non-contact study time per week for 12 weeks, one Introductory Day per semester of 8 hours. (Total hours per semester: 194 hours)
Total Time Commitment: Not available
Prerequisites: Nil
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

Dr Helen Austin
Subject Overview: This subject consists of two discrete units:
  1. Culture addresses the explanatory models of illness and the influence of different ethnicities and religions on illness and health seeking behaviours.
  2. Ethics describes the various models or concepts of ethics related to medicine and their application to cancer and end of life care.

The subject combines seminars led by experts on the topic under review and comprehensive reading materials reviewing the relevant literature. Distance learning students will receive reading materials, taped discussions of the seminars and copies of the PowerPoint presentations used by presenters.

Assessment: 40%: Clinical Dissertation undertaking reflective analysis on a series of cultural problems encountered in the students own care of patients (Max: 4,000 words), OR Essay on a set cultural topic (Max: 4,000 words) - Due week 5; 40%: Essay discussing a set ethics topic (Max: 4,000 word) - Due week 10; 20%: Oral presentation with write-Up (Max: 1,000 words). Students will choose a weekly topic to present.
Prescribed Texts: None
Recommended Texts: A course reader will be provided.

Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

This subject is designed to enable students to:

  • describe the unique contribution of culture to the beliefs and values of patients and their families, their religious practices and rituals;
  • discuss the application of the ethical principles relevant to cancer care in clinical settings;
  • demonstrate inter-cultural sensitivity in describing the assessment and treatment of patients and families in the cancer and palliative care setting;
  • critically examine complex clinical predicaments from both a culturally sensitive and ethically sound perspective.

On completion of the subject, students should be able to:

  • describe the unique contribution of culture to the beliefs and values of patients and their families, their religious practices and rituals;
  • discuss the application of the ethical principles relevant to cancer and end of life care in clinical settings;
  • demonstrate intercultural sensitivity in describing the assessment and treatment of patients and families in the cancer and palliative care setting;
  • critically examine complex clinical predicaments from both a culturally sensitive and ethically sound perspective.
Related Course(s): Graduate Diploma in Psycho-Oncology

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