Critical Debates in Population Health

Subject POPH90211 (2011)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2011.

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

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2011:

Semester 2, 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 hours (6x4 hour symposia)
Total Time Commitment: 120 hours
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: -
Non Allowed Subjects: -
Core Participation Requirements: For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.
The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website.

Coordinator

Dr Marion Frere

Contact

McCaughey Centre: VicHealth Centre for the Promotion of Mental Health and Community Wellbeing
Melbourne School of Population Health
Tel: +61 3 8344 9125
Email: marionf@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 immerses students in the critical contemporary debates within population health. Students will examine the explicit and implicit theoretical assumptions and frameworks informing these debates, the particular agendas of key stakeholders, the forums of debate, as well as who participates, how knowledge is constructed, produced, legitimated and contested. In addition, implications for the community, ethical health policy, practice, and research will be examined.
The subject is structured around a series of public lectures, critical debates in population health, which students attend. The lectures involve a series of experts, from policy, academia, and community, to provide different perspectives on the issue being analysed. Students prepare in class before the public lecture, and then immediately after, applying a range of theoretical and critical analyses to the material presented.
Objectives: At the completion of this subject, students should be able to demonstrate the ability to:
  • Articulate key approaches used within critical debates in population health
  • Critically analyse key standpoints within contemporary debates about population health
  • Formulate and justify strategic interventions in key areas of health on the basis of a particular ethical and theoretical standpoint.
Assessment:
  • One oral presentation of 20 minutes (equivalent of 1000 words) (20%); related written piece of 1000 words (20%), due mid-semester
  • One 3,000 word essay (60%) due at the end of the semester.
Prescribed Texts: Students will have access to electronic copies of relevant readings.
Recommended Texts: -
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 skills in verbally communicating key concepts about critical debates succinctly.
  • Advanced skills in applying cross-disciplinary analysis to critical debates
  • Advanced skills in reading critically within and across a range of population health disciplines
  • Advanced skills in critical analysis of academic and popular discourses in population health.
Related Course(s): Master of Health Social Sciences
Master of Public Health
Postgraduate Diploma in Health Social Sciences
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Social Health

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