Students

ANTH8032 – Global Health

2024 – Session 2, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Lisa Wynn
Paul Mason
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MDevStud or MPH or 30cp at 8000 level or above or (ANTH816 or ANTH8016)
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

Global health recognises a holistic understanding of health that transcends borders and encompasses the links and transnational movements of people, materials and ideas. To affect change at the individual, community and global levels, we need to appreciate how human biology and health are shaped by the larger contexts in which they are embedded and the dynamic and uneven circulation of resources, technology, culture, values and people. In this unit, we will examine the role of social, political-economic and environmental forces that shape the patterning and the distribution of disease and health across communities and take a critical perspective when examining the underlying value systems in biomedical science, policy, health interventions, and global health practice. This unit offers a framework for understanding the complex ways that health and disease intersect within a range of global contexts, institutions and practices.

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:

  • ULO1: Synthesise the common anthropological, epidemiological, historical, policy, and political-economic approaches to major global health problems.
  • ULO2: Discuss and evaluate the major issues confronting global health, including their trends, determinants, and effect on individuals and populations.
  • ULO3: Describe the global burden of disease, emerging global health problems, the causes and control of epidemics, and communicable and non-communicable diseases at the global level.
  • ULO4: Identify the role of poverty, inequality, and structural violence in global health contexts and how health can be distributed unequally within and between populations.
  • ULO5: Describe the particular health needs of vulnerable populations.
  • ULO6: Identify and evaluate the complex role and impact of policy, global institutions, non-governmental organizations, and major funders in global health.

General Assessment Information

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a mark of '0' (zero) will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical issue. This late penalty will apply to non-time sensitive assessment (incl. essays, reports, posters, portfolios, journals, recordings etc). Late submission of time sensitive tasks (such as tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, scheduled practical assessments/labs etc) will only be addressed by the unit convenor in a Special Consideration application. Special Consideration outcome may result in a new question or topic.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Short answer essays 30% No 2024-09-27
Research essay 40% No 2024-11-01
Participation and reading response 20% No Weekly
Presentation 10% No Final three weeks of semester

Short answer essays

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: 2024-09-27
Weighting: 30%

 

A take-home short answer exam on key concepts

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Synthesise the common anthropological, epidemiological, historical, policy, and political-economic approaches to major global health problems.
  • Discuss and evaluate the major issues confronting global health, including their trends, determinants, and effect on individuals and populations.
  • Describe the global burden of disease, emerging global health problems, the causes and control of epidemics, and communicable and non-communicable diseases at the global level.
  • Identify the role of poverty, inequality, and structural violence in global health contexts and how health can be distributed unequally within and between populations.

Research essay

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 34 hours
Due: 2024-11-01
Weighting: 40%

 

Research essay exploring a chosen topic from the course material

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Synthesise the common anthropological, epidemiological, historical, policy, and political-economic approaches to major global health problems.
  • Discuss and evaluate the major issues confronting global health, including their trends, determinants, and effect on individuals and populations.
  • Describe the global burden of disease, emerging global health problems, the causes and control of epidemics, and communicable and non-communicable diseases at the global level.
  • Identify the role of poverty, inequality, and structural violence in global health contexts and how health can be distributed unequally within and between populations.
  • Describe the particular health needs of vulnerable populations.
  • Identify and evaluate the complex role and impact of policy, global institutions, non-governmental organizations, and major funders in global health.

Participation and reading response

Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 24 hours
Due: Weekly
Weighting: 20%

 

Completion of weekly reading summary and active participation in weekly seminars

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Synthesise the common anthropological, epidemiological, historical, policy, and political-economic approaches to major global health problems.
  • Discuss and evaluate the major issues confronting global health, including their trends, determinants, and effect on individuals and populations.
  • Describe the global burden of disease, emerging global health problems, the causes and control of epidemics, and communicable and non-communicable diseases at the global level.
  • Identify the role of poverty, inequality, and structural violence in global health contexts and how health can be distributed unequally within and between populations.
  • Describe the particular health needs of vulnerable populations.
  • Identify and evaluate the complex role and impact of policy, global institutions, non-governmental organizations, and major funders in global health.

Presentation

Assessment Type 1: Presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Final three weeks of semester
Weighting: 10%

 

Short presentation of research topic for main essay

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Synthesise the common anthropological, epidemiological, historical, policy, and political-economic approaches to major global health problems.
  • Identify and evaluate the complex role and impact of policy, global institutions, non-governmental organizations, and major funders in global health.

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

Seminars: Join your classmates for engaging and interactive postgraduate medical anthropology seminars! These sessions are designed for lively student participation, and your presence is key to making the most of this experience. In 2024, our seminars will take place in a dynamic active learning space. While recordings will be available for occasional absences, nothing beats the vibrant discussions and insights shared in person. We strongly recommend attending in person to fully experience the enriching conversations and collaborative atmosphere. We look forward to seeing you there! 

Readings: Starting from Week 2, you are expected to immerse yourself in the weekly readings and share your insights with a brief summary before each seminar (see iLearn for detailed assessment information). These readings are your gateway to deeper understanding and meaningful discussions. You can find all the seminar readings on Leganto via iLearn, and they are also accessible through the MQ library website. Should you encounter any difficulty locating a reading (after perusing Leganto or searching the library database), don’t hesitate to reach out to the library at lib.reserve@mq.edu.au or contact the unit convenor, Paul Mason, at paul.mason@mq.edu.au. We're here to support your learning journey and ensure you have all the resources you need!

Assessment submission: All written assessments will be submitted online via iLearn; your oral presentation will be during the seminar. See iLearn for details.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) 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 or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

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

The Writing Centre

The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.

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.


Unit information based on version 2024.01R of the Handbook