Global Health, Security & Sustainability

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

170 hours

It is strongly recommended that students enrolling in this subject have completed first and second year requirements in their Course.

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

"Global health, Security & Sustainability" is a new and exciting subject that explores the root causes of disease, poverty, injustice and inequity that exist in the world today.

It will feature eminent speakers from a range of academic disciplines to provide students with diverse approaches to examining, understanding and addressing old and new threats to health, security and sustainability. Students will be encouraged to draw on disciplines in law, arts, engineering, economics, biosciences and medicine to explore and understand the depth, complexity and multi dimensionality of current global health challenges.

Case studies will be used to introduce the concept of chains of causation, and provide an overview of the inequity and imbalances in health status, health service provision, and health research between and within countries. The field of view will range from the individual to the global context, including major threats to health, security and sustainability, particularly global warming and the risks of nuclear war. Various academic disciplines will provide alternative perspectives to better understand how health inequities and threats arise, what tools and mechanisms are available to address them, and what we have learned about what works in improving health.

Students completing the subject should:

• have a deeper and broader understanding of the nature, causes and complex interactions between important threats to global health, development, security and sustainability
• have improved their skills in critically analysing complex issues, including being able to explore complex, interlinked chains of causation which link the experience of individuals with local, national, regional and global issues
• appreciate the complementary and synergistic contributions different disciplines can make to addressing complex challenges
• be familiar with a variety of tools and mechanisms for addressing threats to global health, development, security and sustainability
• have strengthened their ability to work with others with diverse skills and backgrounds
• be better equipped to work in international settings, especially in more resource-constrained settings
• to be better equipped to decide on potential academic careers or employment in global issues

• 1,000 word written piece due mid semester (30%)
• 3,000 word written piece due at the end of semester (60%)
• Oral presentation, participation in discussions (10%)
• Attendance in 75% of the tutorials as hurdle requirement

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Engineering

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Analytical thinking, report writing including referencing, research, public speaking, team work and communication skills, diplomacy, time management, prioritising and organisational skills.