Political Economy of Women's Health

Subject WOHT90012 (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 1, Hawthorn - 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

Semester 2, Hawthorn - 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

Intensive. See www.mccp.unimelb.edu.au for delivery details

Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: Twenty-four hours of lectures/seminars/tutorials in the intensive period, supported by additional preliminary tutorials to a maximum of five hours.
Total Time Commitment: Estimated total time commitment of 120 hours.
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements: For the purposes of considering requests 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: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Contact

Melbourne Consulting and Custom Programs

Level 3, 442 Auburn Rd Hawthorn

Phone: 9810 3300

Email: mccp.enquiries@mccp.unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

Economic theory is used to justify many health policy decisions. Economic conditions are an important influence on women's health and knowledge of economics is essential for a complete understanding of women's health issues. This course will outline the basics of current mainstream economic theory, focussing on key economic concepts such as efficiency, scarcity, exchange, and competition. It will examine why health issues are difficult to deal with in an economic framework. Feminist critiques of economic theory will also be presented. The main techniques used in the economic evaluation of health services will be covered, as well as the related issue of the different ways in which health outcomes can be measured Quality Adjusted Life Years (QALYs) for example. The difficulties encountered in measuring health, as opposed to illness, will be discussed. The course assumes no prior knowledge of economics.
Objectives:

Students who successfully complete this subject should:

• Have developed a sophisticated awareness of the relationship between women's health and their economic situation
• have an in depth understanding of the most important features of mainstream economic
• theory and understand why economic theory has difficulty in dealing with issues connected to health
• Have an advanced understanding of the feminist critique of mainstream economic theory as it relates to women's health
• Comprehend how economic policies affect women's health, both directly and indirectly
• Have a critical understanding of the main methods used in the economic evaluation of health services, and the various attempts to measure health outcomes.
• Have enhanced writing skills
Assessment: Class paper and written assignments totalling 4,000 words
Prescribed Texts: NA
Recommended Texts: Course materials are provided to all participants
Breadth Options:

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

Students who successfully complete this subject should:

• Have developed a sophisticated awareness of the relationship between women's health and their economic situation
• have an in depth understanding of the most important features of mainstream economic
• theory and understand why economic theory has difficulty in dealing with issues connected to health
• Have an advanced understanding of the feminist critique of mainstream economic theory as it relates to women's health
• Comprehend how economic policies affect women's health, both directly and indirectly
• Have a critical understanding of the main methods used in the economic evaluation of health services, and the various attempts to measure health outcomes.
• Have enhanced writing skills
Links to further information: www.mccp.unimelb.edu.au
Related Course(s): Master of Women's Health
Postgraduate Diploma in Women's Health

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