Gender and Health

Subject POPH90199 (2010)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2010.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 9 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2010:

Semester 1, Parkville - 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: 24 hrs: One 2 hour seminar per week
Total Time Commitment: 120 hours
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: -
Core Participation Requirements: -

Coordinator

Dr Louise A. Keogh

Contact

Key Centre for Women's Health in Society
Telephone: +61 3 8344 0717
Email: enquiries-kcwhs@ unimelb.edu.au

OR

Academic Programs Office
Melbourne School of Population Health
Tel: +61 3 8344 9339
Fax: +61 3 8344 0824
Email: sph-gradinfo@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview: This subject will introduce sex/gender as a social construct. We will take a historical perspective to explore the women’s health and men’s health movements. We will compare and contrast the health of men and women and critically analyse the explanations that have been offered for both the differences and similarities. Case studies will be used to illustrate the contemporary ways in which practices of health care are gendered and the consequences for health (e.g. psychiatry, HRT use, cancer, heart disease and medical consultations). We will also analyse the ways in which public health programs are gendered and the consequences for health (e.g. screening programs, tobacco cessation etc). Finally, we will analyse the health consequences of gender relations in day-to-day life (e.g. in employment, housing, family).
Objectives: At the completion of this subject, students should be able to demonstrate the ability to:
  • Understand the social construction of sex/gender
  • Use a historical perspective to understand the ways that gender and health are related
  • Apply the theories of gender to health problems
  • Apply the theories of gender to health promotion and public and social policy
Assessment:
  • One class presentation of 20 mins (equivalent of 1000 words) during semester (20%)
  • One essay due mid-semester, 1000 words (20%)
  • One essay due end of semester, 3000 words (60%)
Prescribed Texts: Students will have access to electronic copies of relevant readings.
Recommended Texts: None
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills: Upon completion of this subject a student should have:
  • Advanced written and oral communication skills
  • Advanced skills in cross-disciplinary analysis
  • Advanced skills in reading critically within and across a range of academic disciplines
  • Advanced skills in critical analysis of academic theories.
Related Course(s): Doctor of Clinical Physiotherapy
Master of Health Social Sciences
Postgraduate Diploma in Health Social Sciences
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Social Health
Women's Health

Download PDF version.