Assessment/Standards

Macquarie University uses the following grades in coursework units of study:  

Grade descriptors and other information concerning grading are contained in the Macquarie University Grading Policy, which is available at: http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html

Further details for each assessment task will available on iLearn including marking rubrics.

All final grades are determined by a grading committee and are not the sole responsibility of the Unit Convenor.

Students will be awarded one of these grades plus a Standardised Numerical Grade (SNG). The SNG is not necessarily a summation of the individual assessment components. The final grade and SNG that are awarded reflect the corresponding grade descriptor in the Grading Policy.

To pass this unit, students must complete all assessments and receive a total mark of at least 50%.

Extensions for Assessment Tasks

Applications for assessment task extensions must be submitted via www.ask.mq.edu.au. For further details please refer to the Disruption to Studies Policy available at http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html 

Late Submission of Work

All assignments which are officially received after the due date, and where no extension has been granted by the unit convenor, will incur a deduction of 5% for the first day, and 5% for each subsequent day including the actual day on which the work is received. Weekends and public holidays are included. For example:  

About this Unit

HLTH350 Legal, Ethical and Policy Directions in Health provides an introduction to ways in which legal, ethical and policy issues influence the evolution of public health, both in Australia and internationally. It is intended to equip students with knowledge, research and analytical skills to be informed and confident when working in the area of health. It is important to note that the unit is not designed to provide students with qualifications or specialist skills in law, but is designed to provide an understanding of jurisdictional boundaries and the need for relevant specialist consultation in complex matters.

The unit consists of two (2 x 1 hour) lectures and one (1 x 1 hour) tutorial per week. Assessment is based on four elements described in detail in the guide to assessments on iLearn.

Technology

HLTH350 has an online learning space accessed via iLearn.mq.edu.au. You are required to have available appropriate technology e.g. a laptop or a desktop computer and a reliable internet connect to access course content, online assessment tasks and recorded lectures.

Textbooks and Readings

There is no set textbook for the unit. Required readings for lectures are identified on the HLTH350 iLearn guide to lectures, tutorials and readings. These readings are readily available via the library online catalogue; public access websites (e.g. PLoS Medicine, WHO). The complete list of readings can be found in the Student Guide to HLTH350 available on the HLTH350 iLearn page. You will get more out of the lectures if you familiarise yourself with the readings in advance. The readings expand upon the key points covered during lectures and will be part of the material covered in the assessment tasks, including the take home exam.

Attendance

All lectures and tutorials are scheduled in your individual timetable. In most cases lectures are recorded, however, attendance is expected at lectures as this is where the majority of learning occurs. Failure to attend may impact your final results. The structure and content of the lecture program, including related readings, are available in iLearn.

The timetable for classes can be found on the University web site at: http://www.timetables.mq.edu.au/

Anticipated Workload

This is a 3cp unit. It is generally expected that students will commit about 4 hours per week per credit point in their studies, or a total of approximately 150 hours. Thus, in addition to attending the weekly classes and the tutorial for a total of three hours, students are expected to complete appropriate reading, research and other activities equivalent to at least 8.5 hours per week. You should note that there are peak times of study during the semester when several more hours per week will be required in order to complete the required assignments.  Students are advised to consider the due date for all their assessment tasks as these peak times may coincide with similar demands from other units of study.

MJ = Dr Melissa Johnstone; LS = Dr Liz Schroeder; JH = Dr Jolyn Hersch; RM = Dr Ross Mackenzie; RI = Rabiul Islam; CP = Cathy Preston-Thomas, Training Coordinator | NSW Refugee Health Service; SC = Dr Frank Siciliano

N.B. The list of weekly topics was accurate at time of planning, but is subject to change. Availability of guest speakers, extended discussion of a specific topic in class and emerging public health issues are among the reasons that schedules have been altered in previous years.