Students

MHHS1008 – Misconceptions in the Modern World

2026 – Session 1, Online-flexible

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Patrick Nalepka
David Kaplan
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
MHHX1008 - Misconceptions in the Modern World
Unit description Unit description

This unit will introduce you to the history and philosophy of science and assist in the development of your critical thinking skills, with a focus on applications in health and human sciences. You will be challenged to question openly the accuracy of mainstream information and the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in enabling misconceptions. You will develop basic AI literacy skills, evaluate health and human science claims, and become equipped to communicate health information accurately and effectively. This unit combines theoretical learning with practical activities that will engage you in real-world health and human science challenges.

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 basic critical thinking skills to identify and evaluate the credibility of new and existing health and human science claims. (Capability 1: Scientist and Scholar)
  • ULO2: Communicate accurate health and human science information using appropriate communication strategies and methods to engage and inform diverse audiences. (Capability 2: Practitioner)
  • ULO3: Explain how AI technologies can be used to advance health and human science and describe the potential societal risks and benefits AI poses for accurate health and human science information. (Capability 3: Citizen)
  • ULO4: Reflect on the ethical and societal impacts of disseminating inaccurate health and human science information and perpetuating misconceptions. (Capability 4: Professional)

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.

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 an assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a grade of ‘0’ 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 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

 

For any late submissions of time-sensitive tasks, such as scheduled tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, and/or scheduled practical assessments/labs, students need to submit an application for Special Consideration

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due Groupwork/Individual Short Extension AI assisted?
Multimedia presentation 30% No 11:55pm on 3 April 2026 Individual No Observed
Campaign Project 30% No 11:55pm on 8 May 2026 Individual No Open AI
Critical analysis report 40% No 11:55pm on 5 June 2026 Individual Yes Open

Multimedia presentation

Assessment Type 1: Presentation task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 27 hours
Due: 11:55pm on 3 April 2026
Weighting: 30%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI assisted?: Observed

You will create an infographic, podcast or short animation that corrects a specific health misconception and details the importance to society of correcting this misconception.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Apply basic critical thinking skills to identify and evaluate the credibility of new and existing health and human science claims. (Capability 1: Scientist and Scholar)
  • Communicate accurate health and human science information using appropriate communication strategies and methods to engage and inform diverse audiences. (Capability 2: Practitioner)
  • Reflect on the ethical and societal impacts of disseminating inaccurate health and human science information and perpetuating misconceptions. (Capability 4: Professional)

Campaign Project

Assessment Type 1: Portfolio
Indicative Time on Task 2: 27 hours
Due: 11:55pm on 8 May 2026
Weighting: 30%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI assisted?: Open

You will develop a campaign that addresses a health misconception utilising AI technologies. As part of the project you will be required to outline your plan, strategy and reflection on the process.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Apply basic critical thinking skills to identify and evaluate the credibility of new and existing health and human science claims. (Capability 1: Scientist and Scholar)
  • Communicate accurate health and human science information using appropriate communication strategies and methods to engage and inform diverse audiences. (Capability 2: Practitioner)
  • Explain how AI technologies can be used to advance health and human science and describe the potential societal risks and benefits AI poses for accurate health and human science information. (Capability 3: Citizen)
  • Reflect on the ethical and societal impacts of disseminating inaccurate health and human science information and perpetuating misconceptions. (Capability 4: Professional)

Critical analysis report

Assessment Type 1: Written Submission
Indicative Time on Task 2: 36 hours
Due: 11:55pm on 5 June 2026
Weighting: 40%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: Yes
AI assisted?: Open

You will complete a report that analyses and challenges the basis for a current health-related misconception, and highlights the role that AI could/did play in either perpetuating or addressing this misconception.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Apply basic critical thinking skills to identify and evaluate the credibility of new and existing health and human science claims. (Capability 1: Scientist and Scholar)
  • Communicate accurate health and human science information using appropriate communication strategies and methods to engage and inform diverse audiences. (Capability 2: Practitioner)
  • Explain how AI technologies can be used to advance health and human science and describe the potential societal risks and benefits AI poses for accurate health and human science information. (Capability 3: Citizen)

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.

3 An automatic short extension is available for some assessments. Apply through the Service Connect Portal.

Delivery and Resources

As a student enrolled in this unit, you will engage in a range of online learning activities, including readings, online modules, videos, online discussions, and simulations. Details can be found on the iLearn site for this unit.

Recommended Readings

Recommended readings related to each week's lecture topic will be provided. Additional readings may be assigned for specific practical or tutorial sessions. A full list of readings will be available on the iLearn page.

Technology used

Active participation in the learning activities throughout the unit will require students to have access to a tablet, laptop or similar device. Students who do not own their own laptop computer may borrow one from the university library.

Unit Schedule

  Topic Learning Activities
Week 1 A brief history of scientific and magical thinking  
Week 2 The origins of the age of misinformation  
Week 3 How to survive in the age of misinformation  
Week 4 How science earns our trust  
Week 5 How to determine the credibility of sources: Building your media and information literacy skills  
Week 6 The pursuit of an artificial intelligence: History and key concepts Assessment 1 Due
Week 7 Thinking with generative AI  
Week 8 What happens when we engage with synthetic people?  
Week 9 The psychology of misconceptions: Belief formation and transmission Assessment 2 Due
Week 10 Health, wellness and conspiracy theories  
Week 11 Beliefs, placebos and expectations  
Week 12 The far-reaching consequences of misinformation and what we all need to do about it  
Week 13 *End of Learning Conent* Assessment 3 Due

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.

Artificial Intelligence Tools

Macquarie University recognises that artificial intelligence (AI), especially generative AI, is rapidly reshaping education and the modern workplace. As AI becomes increasingly accessible, the University and your teaching staff are committed to preparing you to use these tools effectively, ethically, and with strong professional judgment. Rather than restricting technology, the emphasis is on helping you understand when and how AI can be used to enhance productivity, support learning, and reflect real-world professional practice. Across your degree, we will support you to develop the critical thinking, adaptability, and values-based decision-making skills required to navigate evolving AI tools responsibly, including acknowledging their use appropriately.  You should always appropriately acknowledge when you have used AI tools within assessment tasks, including which AI tools you have used and how you have used them.

To provide clarity, Macquarie University uses a simple, two-tiered approach to AI in assessment:

  • AI Open assessments allow you to fully incorporate AI, reflecting authentic tasks where AI would normally be used in professional settings.
  • Observed with AI Optional assessments involve tasks where you either demonstrate essential knowledge without technology or show how you apply AI under supervision.

Across both categories, the goal is to ensure you build foundational knowledge, exercise sound judgment, and engage with AI in ways that uphold ethical, cultural, and university values.

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 to all learning activities on time, and if you are unavoidably detained, please join 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 2026.03 of the Handbook