Students

HLTH350 – Legal, Ethical and Policy Directions in Human Sciences

2016 – S2 Day

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor and Lecturer
Dr Melissa Johnstone
Contact via 02 9850 9807
Rm 274, X5B
Student consultation by appointment via email
Ross MacKenzie
Credit points Credit points
3
Prerequisites Prerequisites
(39cp including HLTH200) or (39cp and admission to BHumanSc or BA-PsychBHumanSc or BPsych(Hons)BHumanSc)
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit examines how law, ethics and policy affect population health in Australia and globally. Lectures and tutorial discussion will equip students with the knowledge and ability to engage meaningfully in debate and discourse surrounding the role of ethical and legal considerations and the policy process in health provision. Topics include debate around vaccination programs, infectious disease control, and the impact of corporate conduct on public health.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • Define main terms in relation to key legal, ethical and policy aspects of public health
  • Exemplify the impact and influence of legal, ethical and policy concerns on public health both nationally and internationally
  • Summarise and analyse key developments in health policy with an emphasis on legal and ethical contexts
  • Critique the social, cultural, economic and political factors that can influence public health initiatives and the legal and ethical decisions underpinning these decisions
  • Exemplify the key elements involved in planning, implementing and evaluating public health policies with due regard for ethical and legal aspects
  • Deconstruct the evolving cross-sectional nature of public health law globally and the effect on public health and health promotion

General Assessment Information

Assessment/Standards

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

HD

High Distinction

85-100

D

Distinction

75-84

CR

Credit

65-74

P

Pass

50-64

F

Fail

0-49

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 each day including the actual day on which the work is received. Weekends and public holidays are included. For example:  

Final Mark

Raw Mark

Deduction

Days Late

Received

Due Date

60%

e.g. 75%

15%

3

Monday, 17th

Friday, 14th

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Due
Ethical research 5% 22nd August, 11.59pm
Essay 25% 15 September, 11.59pm
Group Presentation & Report 25% 10 October, wks 9-13*
Final Exam 45% 11 November

Ethical research

Due: 22nd August, 11.59pm
Weighting: 5%

National Institute of Health: Protecting Human Research Participants online training course. Further details will be provided in tutorials. Once online training is complete, students should submit a copy of their certificate of completion.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Define main terms in relation to key legal, ethical and policy aspects of public health

Essay

Due: 15 September, 11.59pm
Weighting: 25%

A choice of one of two essay topics.

1,500 word essay.

For details please see the Student guide to HLTH350 on iLearn.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Define main terms in relation to key legal, ethical and policy aspects of public health
  • Exemplify the impact and influence of legal, ethical and policy concerns on public health both nationally and internationally
  • Summarise and analyse key developments in health policy with an emphasis on legal and ethical contexts
  • Critique the social, cultural, economic and political factors that can influence public health initiatives and the legal and ethical decisions underpinning these decisions
  • Exemplify the key elements involved in planning, implementing and evaluating public health policies with due regard for ethical and legal aspects
  • Deconstruct the evolving cross-sectional nature of public health law globally and the effect on public health and health promotion

Group Presentation & Report

Due: 10 October, wks 9-13*
Weighting: 25%

Presentations in class conducted in pairs or groups of 3 depending on student numbers in weeks 9-13.

*All presentation materials and associated report are due on 10 October for all groups.

For details please see the Student Guide to HLTH350 on iLearn.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Define main terms in relation to key legal, ethical and policy aspects of public health
  • Exemplify the impact and influence of legal, ethical and policy concerns on public health both nationally and internationally
  • Summarise and analyse key developments in health policy with an emphasis on legal and ethical contexts
  • Critique the social, cultural, economic and political factors that can influence public health initiatives and the legal and ethical decisions underpinning these decisions
  • Exemplify the key elements involved in planning, implementing and evaluating public health policies with due regard for ethical and legal aspects
  • Deconstruct the evolving cross-sectional nature of public health law globally and the effect on public health and health promotion

Final Exam

Due: 11 November
Weighting: 45%

The final exam will be open on ilearn on Friday, 11 November. The exam consists of three questions, requiring extended responses of approximately 800 words. You will have two hours to complete the exam.

For details please see the Student Guide to HLTH350 on iLearn.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Define main terms in relation to key legal, ethical and policy aspects of public health
  • Exemplify the impact and influence of legal, ethical and policy concerns on public health both nationally and internationally
  • Summarise and analyse key developments in health policy with an emphasis on legal and ethical contexts
  • Critique the social, cultural, economic and political factors that can influence public health initiatives and the legal and ethical decisions underpinning these decisions
  • Exemplify the key elements involved in planning, implementing and evaluating public health policies with due regard for ethical and legal aspects
  • Deconstruct the evolving cross-sectional nature of public health law globally and the effect on public health and health promotion

Delivery and Resources

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.

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 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.

Activity

Approx. hours per week

Total hours over session

Lectures and tutorial

3

39

Reading

3

39

Research

.5

7

Assessment

5

65

Total

11

150

Unit Schedule

Please refer to the HLTH350 ilearn space for a detailed breakdown of lectures and tutorials.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html

New Assessment Policy in effect from Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy_2016.html. For more information visit http://students.mq.edu.au/events/2016/07/19/new_assessment_policy_in_place_from_session_2/

Assessment Policy prior to Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html

Grading Policy prior to Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html

Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html

Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.html​

Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.

In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/

Results

Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Graduate Capabilities

Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative

We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Define main terms in relation to key legal, ethical and policy aspects of public health
  • Exemplify the impact and influence of legal, ethical and policy concerns on public health both nationally and internationally
  • Summarise and analyse key developments in health policy with an emphasis on legal and ethical contexts
  • Critique the social, cultural, economic and political factors that can influence public health initiatives and the legal and ethical decisions underpinning these decisions
  • Exemplify the key elements involved in planning, implementing and evaluating public health policies with due regard for ethical and legal aspects
  • Deconstruct the evolving cross-sectional nature of public health law globally and the effect on public health and health promotion

Assessment tasks

  • Ethical research
  • Essay
  • Group Presentation & Report
  • Final Exam

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Critique the social, cultural, economic and political factors that can influence public health initiatives and the legal and ethical decisions underpinning these decisions
  • Deconstruct the evolving cross-sectional nature of public health law globally and the effect on public health and health promotion

Assessment tasks

  • Essay
  • Group Presentation & Report
  • Final Exam

Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills

Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Define main terms in relation to key legal, ethical and policy aspects of public health
  • Exemplify the impact and influence of legal, ethical and policy concerns on public health both nationally and internationally
  • Summarise and analyse key developments in health policy with an emphasis on legal and ethical contexts
  • Critique the social, cultural, economic and political factors that can influence public health initiatives and the legal and ethical decisions underpinning these decisions
  • Exemplify the key elements involved in planning, implementing and evaluating public health policies with due regard for ethical and legal aspects
  • Deconstruct the evolving cross-sectional nature of public health law globally and the effect on public health and health promotion

Assessment tasks

  • Ethical research
  • Essay
  • Group Presentation & Report
  • Final Exam

Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Exemplify the impact and influence of legal, ethical and policy concerns on public health both nationally and internationally
  • Summarise and analyse key developments in health policy with an emphasis on legal and ethical contexts
  • Critique the social, cultural, economic and political factors that can influence public health initiatives and the legal and ethical decisions underpinning these decisions
  • Deconstruct the evolving cross-sectional nature of public health law globally and the effect on public health and health promotion

Assessment tasks

  • Essay
  • Group Presentation & Report
  • Final Exam

Problem Solving and Research Capability

Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Exemplify the impact and influence of legal, ethical and policy concerns on public health both nationally and internationally
  • Critique the social, cultural, economic and political factors that can influence public health initiatives and the legal and ethical decisions underpinning these decisions
  • Exemplify the key elements involved in planning, implementing and evaluating public health policies with due regard for ethical and legal aspects

Assessment tasks

  • Essay
  • Group Presentation & Report
  • Final Exam

Effective Communication

We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Define main terms in relation to key legal, ethical and policy aspects of public health
  • Exemplify the impact and influence of legal, ethical and policy concerns on public health both nationally and internationally
  • Summarise and analyse key developments in health policy with an emphasis on legal and ethical contexts
  • Critique the social, cultural, economic and political factors that can influence public health initiatives and the legal and ethical decisions underpinning these decisions
  • Exemplify the key elements involved in planning, implementing and evaluating public health policies with due regard for ethical and legal aspects
  • Deconstruct the evolving cross-sectional nature of public health law globally and the effect on public health and health promotion

Assessment tasks

  • Ethical research
  • Essay
  • Group Presentation & Report
  • Final Exam

Engaged and Ethical Local and Global citizens

As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Define main terms in relation to key legal, ethical and policy aspects of public health
  • Exemplify the impact and influence of legal, ethical and policy concerns on public health both nationally and internationally
  • Summarise and analyse key developments in health policy with an emphasis on legal and ethical contexts
  • Critique the social, cultural, economic and political factors that can influence public health initiatives and the legal and ethical decisions underpinning these decisions
  • Deconstruct the evolving cross-sectional nature of public health law globally and the effect on public health and health promotion

Assessment tasks

  • Ethical research
  • Essay
  • Group Presentation & Report
  • Final Exam

Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible

We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Exemplify the impact and influence of legal, ethical and policy concerns on public health both nationally and internationally
  • Critique the social, cultural, economic and political factors that can influence public health initiatives and the legal and ethical decisions underpinning these decisions

Assessment tasks

  • Essay
  • Group Presentation & Report
  • Final Exam