ObjectivesOn completion of this course, graduates should:
* have gained a sophisticated understanding of the social context in which disease develops, and of the social context in which health care interventions are developed;
* have the ability to critically evaluate and synthesise the relevant literature
* have developed analytical skills in identifying the social basis to problems in clinical, social and policy contexts
* have developed a knowledge of relevant theories and be able to apply it to healthcare problems
* be able to apply the conceptual, theoretical and practical dimensions of the course to students' own professional practice
* be able to articulate knowledge and understanding of the area in oral and written form
* have developed a respect for intellectual integrity, and for the ethics of scholarship.
Academic titleGraduate Diploma in Social Health (Health Ethics)
Course descriptionA total of 8 coursework subjects: 3 core compulsory subjects plus 5 elective subjects as indicated below.
CORE SUBJECTS
Students must complete the following THREE core subjects:
Subject Semester Credit Points
505-400 Health, Ethics and Society
This subject introduces and critically examines standard conceptual approaches to health ethics and provides an introduction to conceptual approaches within other relevant disciplines. Through the employment of these different conceptual approaches, ... Semester 1 12.50
505-405 Bioethics: The Fundamental Debates
This subject introduces students to the classic debates in bioethics about reproduction, life and death. Specific topics may include: active and passive euthanasia, abortion, organ transplantation, reproductive and genetic technologies (e.g. cloning,... Semester 2 12.50
505-407 Current Issues in Health Ethics
The subject will involve the identification and exploration of theoretical and philosophical frameworks of participants in debates, resolutions/outcomes, and investigation of alternative positions. Possible topics include allocation of resources, acc... Semester 2 12.50
ELECTIVE SUBJECTS
Students must complete FIVE subjects from the following list of electives:
Note: 175-501 is recommended only for overseas-born students of non-English speaking background.
Subject Semester Credit Points
505-402 Culture, Health and Illness
This subject provides an introduction to critical medical anthropology, a rapidly growing and dynamic endeavour, which provides a link between social anthropology and biological anthropology. While the subject discusses various perspectives in medica... Semester 1 12.50
505-439 Living Longer: Global Perspectives
The course will study the history of health transitions from a global perspective, focussing on the factors historians have identified in bringing about the modern rise in life expectancy. The course is structured around the book by James C. Riley, R... Semester 1 12.50
505-422 Women's Sexual & Reproductive Health
This subject takes as a starting point a consideration of what constitutes sexual and reproductive health over the life course. It provides an overview of key sexual and reproductive health issues in a variety of geographic locations and considers t... Semester 1 12.50
505-404 Directed Study in Social Health
The content of this subject is individually negotiated between the student and a supervisor appointed by the subject co-ordinator, on the basis of the academic areas of expertise of the available supervisors, and the interests of the student. A list ... Semester 1, Semester 2 12.50
175-501 Presenting Academic Discourse
This subject aims to develop the advanced language required for successful postgraduate study in English. In this subject students will develop critical approaches to researching, reading and writing. They will also develop the ability to plan and pr... Semester 1, Semester 2 12.50
730-386 Health and Medical Law
This subject considers the legal relationship between patients and health care providers. It explains the duty of health care providers to exercise reasonable care in diagnosis, information giving and treatment; and to involve patients in decision ma... Semester 2 12.50
505-408 Key Concepts in Social Health
This subject explores key ways that bodies and the people that inhabit them are understood in the social and medical sciences. How knowledge about bodies is constructed within medical and social sciences is investigated through theoretical understand... Semester 2 12.50
136-037 Biotechnology in Modern Society
This subject will introduce students to selected research and commercial applications of modern biotechnology in order to discuss the broader issues that arise from them. A range of topics will be covered in this subject, which may include the recomb... Semester 2 12.50