Graduate Diploma in Social Health (Health Ethics)

The social and political dimensions of health and illness present important challenges to practitioners, administrators and policy makers. The Graduate Diploma in Social Health allows students to investigate current issues and questions in health ethics, health care history or medical anthropology and sociology in a multidisciplinary environment offering opportunities to study health and illness drawing upon a variety of humanities and social sciences.

On completion of this course, graduates should:

• have gained a sophisticated understanding of the social context in which disease develops, and of the social context in which health care interventions are developed;
• have the ability to critically evaluate and synthesise the relevant literature
• have developed analytical skills in identifying the social basis to problems in clinical, social and policy contexts
• have developed a knowledge of relevant theories and be able to apply it to healthcare problems
• be able to apply the conceptual, theoretical and practical dimensions of the course to students' own professional practice
• be able to articulate knowledge and understanding of the area in oral and written form
• have developed a respect for intellectual integrity, and for the ethics of scholarship.

Students must complete the following THREE core subjects:

ELECTIVE SUBJECTS

Students must complete FIVE subjects from the following list of electives:

Note: 175-501 is recommended only for overseas-born students of non-English speaking background.

• Completion of any three year degree, OR
• Proof of meeting the requirements for registration or temporary registration as a nurse by the Nurses Board of Victoria in Division 1, 3, or 4 of the Register, OR
• Equivalent professional qualification and at least 2 years documented relevant work or professional experience,

• An accredited Aboriginal Health Worker Diploma, or equivalent professional qualification AND at least 2 years relevant work or professional experience; OR
• An accredited Aboriginal Health Worker Certificate Level 4, or equivalent professional qualification AND at least 4 years relevant work or professional experience;

• Documentary evidence of competent academic or professional writing skills.

The Selection Committee may conduct interviews and tests and will call for reports from at least two professional referees to elucidate any of the matters referred to above.

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

Academically excellent:

• have a strong sense of intellectual integrity and the ethics of scholarship
• have in-depth knowledge of their specialist discipline(s)
• reach a high level of achievement in writing, generic research activities, problem-solving and communication
• be critical and creative thinkers, with an aptitude for continued self-directed learning
• be adept at learning in a range of ways, including through information and communication technologies

Knowledgeable across disciplines:

• examine critically, synthesise and evaluate knowledge across a broad range of disciplines
• expand their analytical and cognitive skills through learning experiences in diverse subjects
• have the capacity to participate fully in collaborative learning and to confront unfamiliar problems
• have a set of flexible and transferable skills for different types of employment

Leaders in communities:

• initiate and implement constructive change in their communities, including professions and workplaces
• have excellent interpersonal and decision-making skills, including an awareness of personal strengths and limitations
• mentor future generations of learners
• engage in meaningful public discourse, with a profound awareness of community needs

Attuned to cultural diversity:

• value different cultures
• be well-informed citizens able to contribute to their communities wherever they choose to live and work
• have an understanding of the social and cultural diversity in our community
• respect indigenous knowledge, cultures and values

Active global citizens:

• accept social and civic responsibilities
• be advocates for improving the sustainability of the environment
• have a broad global understanding, with a high regard for human rights, equity and ethics

Mid-year Entry is available.