ObjectivesOn completion of this course, students should:
* have a sophisticated understanding of the conceptual approaches within the social study of health, illness and health care;
* have knowledge of relevant theories and be able to apply it to social health problems;
* have the ability to critically evaluate and synthesise the relevant literature;
* have developed analytical skills in identifying the basis to problems in clinical and social contexts;
* apply the conceptual, theoretical and practical dimensions of the course in students' own professional practice;
* be able to articulate knowledge and understanding of the area in oral and written form;
* understand the principles and processes of research design;
* identify research issues and formulate research questions;
* have the capacity to design and conduct research at a postgraduate level;
* have a respect for intellectual integrity, and for the ethics of research and scholarship.
Academic titleMaster of Social Health (Health Ethics)
Course description* Master of Social Health (100 points): 5 coursework subjects (4 core subjects, 1 elective subject, and the minor thesis)
* Master of Social Health (150 points): 9 coursework subjects (6 core subjects, 3 elective subjects, and the minor thesis)
Articulation to Master of Social Health from Graduate Diploma of Social Health:
After completion of 4 postgraduate subjects of the Graduate Diploma of Social Health at a level of at least H2B, students may apply for admission to the 150 points Master of Social Health and apply for transfer of completed subjects.
Please note that students who have completed split level subjects at the 400 level cannot enrol in the equivalent 500 level subject.
Stream Structure
CORE SUBJECTS:
Students must complete the following CORE subjects for both the 100 and 150 point program:
Subject Semester Credit Points
505-921 Principles of Qualitative Research Desgn
This subject will give students an understanding of the principles underlying good qualitative research. The topics covered will be relevant for students interested in qualitative research specifically, and for health research students who want to le... Semester 1 12.50
505-500 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
505-922 Research Methods in Social Health
This subject provides training in research methods for qualitative and literature-based social and ethical research. A core component of this subject is training in analytic thinking and in the development of a research proposal. Students will also h... Semester 1 12.50
505-505 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
505-920 Minor Thesis in Social Health
A thesis of 12,000 to 15,000 words will be completed under appropriate academic supervision. Semester 1, Semester 2 37.50
ADDITIONAL CORE SUBJECTS - 150 POINT PROGRAM ONLY
Students enrolled in the 150 point program must also complete the following TWO core subjects:
Subject Semester Credit Points
505-507 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
505-508 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
ELECTIVE SUBJECTS - 100 POINT PROGRAM
Students enrolled in the 100 point program must complete ONE of the following elective subjects:
Note: Students may elect to undertake another approved subject.
Subject Semester Credit Points
505-502 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
161-507 Ethical Theory and Practice
This subject involves the philosophical study of issues in professional and applied ethics. It introduces students to a range of concepts and theories relevant to that study, including the nature of moral reasoning and philosophical argumentation. Dr... Semester 1 12.50
166-537 Health Politics, Policy & Governance
This subject focuses on critically analysing politics, policy and governance in relation to health. It asks students to examine the institutions, structures and organisations that shape the policy process in health, consider how health problems are d... Semester 1 12.50
505-539 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
505-522 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
505-504 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
505-507 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
161-521 Issues in Professional & Applied Ethics
This course will examine some of the central debates in applied ethics, focussing on ethics and the law. Topics discussed may include ethical issues associated with intellectual property, self-regulation and meta-regulation, social responsibilty of t... Semester 2 12.50
505-508 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
136-528 Medicine and Culture
Over the ages people have deployed various methods - metaphysical, magical or the pure empirical - to combat the ravages of disease. Bloodletting, cupping, leaching, doses of highly poisonous chemicals, blisters, copious draughts of mineral water, hy... Semester 2 12.50
505-525 Women and Global Health
Developing and newly-industrialised countries experience wide variation in terms of history, politics, demographic transition, development and epidemiology. This subject situates women and their health in a dynamic context of development, globalizati... Semester 2 12.50
ELECTIVE SUBJECTS - 150 POINT PROGRAM
Students enrolled in the 150 point program must complete THREE of the following elective subjects:
Note:
* 175-501 is recommended only for overseas born students of non-English speaking backgrounds.
* Students may elect to undertake another approved subject.
Subject Semester Credit Points
505-502 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
161-507 Ethical Theory and Practice
This subject involves the philosophical study of issues in professional and applied ethics. It introduces students to a range of concepts and theories relevant to that study, including the nature of moral reasoning and philosophical argumentation. Dr... Semester 1 12.50
166-537 Health Politics, Policy & Governance
This subject focuses on critically analysing politics, policy and governance in relation to health. It asks students to examine the institutions, structures and organisations that shape the policy process in health, consider how health problems are d... Semester 1 12.50
505-539 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
505-522 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
161-521 Issues in Professional & Applied Ethics
This course will examine some of the central debates in applied ethics, focussing on ethics and the law. Topics discussed may include ethical issues associated with intellectual property, self-regulation and meta-regulation, social responsibilty of t... Semester 2 12.50
136-528 Medicine and Culture
Over the ages people have deployed various methods - metaphysical, magical or the pure empirical - to combat the ravages of disease. Bloodletting, cupping, leaching, doses of highly poisonous chemicals, blisters, copious draughts of mineral water, hy... Semester 2 12.50
505-525 Women and Global Health
Developing and newly-industrialised countries experience wide variation in terms of history, politics, demographic transition, development and epidemiology. This subject situates women and their health in a dynamic context of development, globalizati... Semester 2 12.50
505-504 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