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Health and Society
Master of Public HealthInformal specialisationYear: 2021
Health and Society
Contact information
Coordinators:
Ms Emma Barnard & Professor Richard Chenhall
ebarnard@unimelb.edu.au /chenhall@unimelb.edu.au
Overview
The social, cultural and political dimensions of illness, suffering and healthcare present important challenges, not only to patients and consumers, but to healthcare practitioners, administrators, and planners. Students undertaking subjects within this specialisation will acquire theoretical insights and methodological skills that can help to better understand society and therefore develop novel solutions to public health problems. Students who undertake a Health and Society research project will also develop knowledge and skills in social research methods, and their application to health. This specialisation incorporates subjects from health ethics, the sociology of health and illness, medical anthropology and the history of health care, providing students with a humanities and social science ‘toolkit’ for their public health careers. Examples of complex health issues that require a critical social lens will be used to demonstrate the application of the social sciences to public health, for example; stem cell research, alcohol use, abortion politics and the development of culturally sensitive population health programs. Possible roles in the field include project and leadership roles across government, not for profit, and community sector organisations, health administration, research, policy, advocacy, and health promotion.
Last updated: 12 November 2021
Structure
Standard 200 Point Program (no Advanced Standing):
SIX core subjects and NINE elective subjects and the Capstone Selective POPH90227 Public Health in Practice OR
SIX core subjects, EIGHT elective subjects and either a Research Project or Professional Practice unit
175 Point Pathway:
SIX core subjects and SEVEN elective subjects and the Capstone Selective POPH90227 Public Health in Practice OR
SIX core subjects, SIX elective subjects and either a Research Project or Professional Practice unit
150 Point Pathway:
SIX core subjects and FIVE elective subjects and the Capstone Selective POPH90227 Public Health in Practice OR
SIX core subjects and FOUR elective subjects and either a Research Project or Professional Practice unit
Subject Options
Core Subjects
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
POPH90217 | Foundations of Public Health | February (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
POPH90013 | Biostatistics | Semester 1 (Online) |
12.5 |
POPH90014 | Epidemiology 1 | Semester 1 (Online) |
12.5 |
POPH90218 | Public Health Leadership and Management | March (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
POPH90231 | Qualitative Research in Public Health | Semester 2 (Online) |
12.5 |
POPH90274 | Prioritising & Planning in Public Health | July (Online) |
12.5 |
Highly Recommended Electives
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
POPH90200 | Principles of Social Research Design | February (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
POPH90201 | Community-Based Participatory Research | Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
POPH90245 | Health Illness and Society | No longer available | |
POPH90270 | Bioethics and Public Health | Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
POPH90300 | Health and Social Justice | Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Other Electives
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
POPH90199 | Gender and Health | Not available in 2021 | 12.5 |
POPH90205 | Health Inequalities | Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
POPH90260 | Ethics of Ageing and End of Life | Term 2 (Online) |
12.5 |
POPH90066 | Women and Global Health | September (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
POPH90291 | Indigenous Health in a Global Context | Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
POPH90296 | Indigenous Health & History Insights | Not available in 2021 | 12.5 |
GEND90014 | No longer available |
Capstone
There are three Capstone options to choose from - please refer to the Course Entry for detailed information on each of these:
- Research Project
- Professional Practice Unit
- Capstone selective subject & an additional elective
Last updated: 12 November 2021