Adolescent Sexuality and Sexual Health

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

170 hours

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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.

This subject explores two main themes:
1. The social construction of sexuality - how our understandings of sexuality are developed in socio-cultural contexts; and
2. Sexual health - how it is defined and measured, what factors contribute to it, and practical issues to consider when interacting with adolescents and trying to have an impact on their sexual health and wellbeing.

On completion of the subject students will be able to:

• demonstrate an understanding of the breadth, depth and diversity of adolescent sexuality;
• demonstrate an understanding of some of the historical aspects of the study and social construction of sexuality;
• identify the current understanding of the indicators of and influences on adolescent sexuality and sexual health in Australia;
• demonstrate a sound knowledge of the skills necessary to successfully work with and engage adolescents who have sexual health concerns.
• devise developmentally appropriate health promotion strategies related to young people and sexual health;
• critically appraise debates and discussions around the sexual health of young people;
• demonstrate an understanding and knowledge of the factors impacting on young peoples’ decision making around their sexual behaviour and sexuality;

• Wiki: group assignment on a sexual health topic with equal contributions from each student to produce a group assignment with one group mark (4 students per group), 500-1000 words each student - due in Week 12 [35%]
• Reflective posting(s) on a practical/ ethical/ professional dilemma in the sexual health domain on discussion board (hurdle); 500 words minimum - due in Week 10 [15%]
• 4 short answer questions on key issues in ASRH, each 500 words long, total 2000 words - due throughout the teaching period for student feedback (2 at end of week 4 and 2 at end of week 8) [50%]

Viner, R. (2005), ABC Adolescence, Blackwell Publishing

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

At the end of this subject students are expected to have developed critical thinking and analytical skills, an ability to find, evaluate and use relevant information, written communication skills, problem solving skills and skills enabling them to work successfully within a group.