Students

MEDI2400 – Foundations in Ethics and Society

2025 – Session 3, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor
Dr Jacqueline Savard
Contact via Email
Consultation by Appointment Please
Course Director
Mark Butlin
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
MEDI103 or MEDI1400
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit focuses on the core knowledge and skills that underpin a career in health care as a researcher, manager, or practitioner. In this unit, you will explore and reflect on professionalism in the health context focusing on the principles and ethics in health care and research, and the impact of social determinants on health. Learning activities will include interactive tutorials, online activities, and expert lectures. Through this unit, you will continue your development as a reflective learner with a focus on the graduate capability of an ethical and reflective professional.

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: Apply critical thinking, evidence-based practice, and reflection to develop life-long learning skills in clinical science research and practice.
  • ULO2: Demonstrate effective written and verbal communication, in both individual and teamwork scenarios, in the development of life-long learning skills in clinical science research and practice.
  • ULO3: Explain the relationship between the individual, society and health.
  • ULO4: Identify and apply ethical principles/concepts to clinical science research and practice.

General Assessment Information

Grade descriptors and other information concerning grading are contained in the Macquarie University Assessment Policy.

All final grades are determined by a grading committee, in accordance with the Macquarie University Assessment Policy, and are not the sole responsibility of the Unit Convenor.

Students will be awarded a final grade and a mark, which must correspond to the grade descriptors specified in the Assessment Procedure (clause 127).

To pass this unit, you must demonstrate sufficient evidence of achievement of the learning outcomes, meet any ungraded requirements, and achieve a final mark of 50 or better.

Further details for each assessment task will be available on iLearn.

Late Submissions

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 to the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a grade of ‘0’ will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission of assessments after 7 days can be accepted at the discretion of the unit convenor and may be taken into account in determining whether you have met the learning outcomes of the unit to support passing the unit. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical concern. 

 For example:

Number of days (hours) late

Total Possible Marks

Deduction

Raw mark

Final mark

1 day (1-24 hours)

100

5

75

70

2 days (24-48 hours)

100

10

75

65

3 days (48-72 hours)

100

15

75

60

7 days (144-168 hours)

100

35

75

40

>7 days (>168 hours)

100

75

0

Late submission of time sensitive tasks, such as timetabled tests/exams, scheduled performance assessments/presentations, scheduled practical assessments/labs, will be addressed by the unit convenor in a special consideration application.

Special Consideration

If you are unable to complete an assessment task on or by the specified date due to circumstances that are unexpected, unavoidable, significantly disruptive and beyond your control, you may apply for special consideration in accordance with the Special Consideration Policy. Applications for special consideration must be supported by appropriate evidence and submitted to Service Connect at connect.mq.edu.au.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Public Health Critique 30% No Part A: 22 Dec 2025 Part B: 27 Jan 2026
Reflective Portfolio Assessment 40% No 18/01/2026
Socratic discussion 30% No Week 5

Public Health Critique

Assessment Type 1: Media presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 27 hours
Due: Part A: 22 Dec 2025 Part B: 27 Jan 2026
Weighting: 30%

 

Your group will critically analyse and produce of a public health campaign video. 

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Apply critical thinking, evidence-based practice, and reflection to develop life-long learning skills in clinical science research and practice.
  • Demonstrate effective written and verbal communication, in both individual and teamwork scenarios, in the development of life-long learning skills in clinical science research and practice.
  • Explain the relationship between the individual, society and health.

Reflective Portfolio Assessment

Assessment Type 1: Reflective Writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 36 hours
Due: 18/01/2026
Weighting: 40%

 

You will submit a reflective writing piece demonstrating progress against capability statements.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Apply critical thinking, evidence-based practice, and reflection to develop life-long learning skills in clinical science research and practice.
  • Demonstrate effective written and verbal communication, in both individual and teamwork scenarios, in the development of life-long learning skills in clinical science research and practice.
  • Explain the relationship between the individual, society and health.
  • Identify and apply ethical principles/concepts to clinical science research and practice.

Socratic discussion

Assessment Type 1: Practice-based task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 27 hours
Due: Week 5
Weighting: 30%

 

You will engage with your peers in a class discussion on an ethical dilemma. 

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Apply critical thinking, evidence-based practice, and reflection to develop life-long learning skills in clinical science research and practice.
  • Demonstrate effective written and verbal communication, in both individual and teamwork scenarios, in the development of life-long learning skills in clinical science research and practice.
  • Identify and apply ethical principles/concepts to clinical science research and practice.

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

As a student enrolled in MEDI2400 Foundations in Ethics and Society, you will engage in a range of online and face-to-face learning activities, including readings, online modules, videos, lectures and weekly tutorials. Details can be found on the MEDI2400 iLearn site. 

There is no textbook for this unit and readings will be accessible through Leganto.

Unit Schedule

Week

Topic

Assessment

1

Introduction to Unit

Introduction to Ethical Theories, principles and dilemmas

Introduction to Case-Based Analysis

Setting the Scene: Introduction to First Nations Health

 

2

Individual and Social Determinants of Health

Justice and Inequity

AT1: Public Health Video Critique: Topic and plan due

3

Systemic Racism

Public Health Ethics

 

4

Privacy and Confidentiality

Research Ethics

Clinical Science, health care practitioners and ethical dilemmas

AT3: Reflective Writing Task

5

Synthesis of Unit Materials and In-Class Socratic Discussion

AT2: In Class Socratic Discussion

 

Exam Period

 

AT1: Public Health Critique & Video 

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 connect.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/

Academic Success

Academic Success 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 the Service Connect Portal, 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.

Changes from Previous Offering

All online content from the previous offering has been revised and redeveloped. All new content was created for 2025. Content was designed so the material could be well presented and eaiser to navigate and engage with via shorter videos and key knowledge check activities.  There are fewer assessment tasks compared to previous offerings, in line with the new Macquarie University assessment guideline of only three assessments per unit. Based on Feedback from previous offerings, rubrics have been simplified and better linked to learning outcomes for each assessment task.

 

Inclusion and Diversity

Social inclusion at Macquarie University is about giving everyone who has the potential to benefit from higher education the opportunity to study at university, participate in campus life and flourish in their chosen field. The University has made significant moves to promote an equitable, diverse and exciting campus community for the benefit of staff and students. It is your responsibility to contribute towards the development of an inclusive culture and practice in the areas of learning and teaching, research, and service orientation and delivery. As a member of the Macquarie University community, you must not discriminate against or harass others based on their sex, gender, race, marital status, carers' responsibilities, disability, sexual orientation, age, political conviction or religious belief. All staff and students are expected to display appropriate behaviour that is conducive to a healthy learning environment for everyone.

Professionalism

In the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, professionalism is a key capability embedded in all our courses.

As part of developing professionalism, students are expected to attend all small group interactive sessions including clinical, practical, laboratory, work-integrated learning (e.g., PACE placements), and team-based learning activities. Some learning activities are recorded (e.g., face-to-face lectures); however, you are encouraged to avoid relying upon such material as they do not recreate the whole learning experience and technical issues can and do occur. As an adult learner, we respect your decision to choose how you engage with your learning, but we would remind you that the learning opportunities we create for you have been done so to enable your success, and that by not engaging you may impact your ability to successfully complete this unit. We equally expect that you show respect for the academic staff who have worked hard to develop meaningful activities and prioritise your learning by communicating with them in advance if you are unable to attend a small group interactive session.

Another dimension of professionalism is having respect for your peers. It is the right of every student to learn in an environment that is free of disruption and distraction. Please arrive at all learning activities on time, and if you are unavoidably detained, please join the activity as quietly as possible to minimise disruption. Phones and other electronic devices that produce noise and other distractions must be turned off prior to entering class. Where your own device (e.g., laptop) is being used for class-related activities, you are asked to close down all other applications to avoid distraction to you and others. Please treat your fellow students with the utmost respect. If you are uncomfortable participating in any specific activity, please let the relevant academic know.


Unit information based on version 2025.03 of the Handbook