Students

MHHS1006 – Health, Society and Culture

2026 – Session 1, Online-flexible

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor
Penelope Sweeting
Contact via Email
Level 5, 75, Talavera Road
Contact via email to make an appointment
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
MHHX1006
Unit description Unit description

In this unit, you will be introduced to the ways health is shaped by social, cultural, and historical factors in Australia. You will explore how people’s experiences of health and wellbeing are influenced by their cultural identity, social position, and access to services. A key focus of the unit is on the health and wellbeing of First Nations peoples, including how colonisation, racism, and social inequalities continue to impact health outcomes today.

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: Identify and describe key social, cultural, and environmental determinants of health and wellbeing, with a particular focus on the experiences of First Nations peoples. (Scientist and Scholar)
  • ULO2: Explain the historical and ongoing impacts of colonisation, racism, and marginalisation on the health and wellbeing of First Nations peoples. (Practitioner)
  • ULO3: Recognise and discuss how social, cultural, economic, and environmental factors interact to shape health outcomes in diverse communities across Australia. (Citizen)
  • ULO4: Interpret and communicate basic information about health and wellbeing in a culturally respectful and inclusive way when engaging with diverse populations. (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 

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 

 

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?
Reflective Journal 30% No 27/03/2026 Individual Yes Open
Multimedia Presentation 40% No 01/05/2026 Individual and Group No Open
First Nations health topic or policy Infographic 30% No 05/06/2026 Individual Yes Observed

Reflective Journal

Assessment Type 1: Reflection task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 27 hours
Due: 27/03/2026
Weighting: 30%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: Yes
AI assisted?: Open

This task invites you to reflect on the beginning of your learning journey as a health professional. It provides space for deep reflection, identification of areas of strength and those that remain challenging. You may use creative elements metaphors, diagrams, or visual cues.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify and describe key social, cultural, and environmental determinants of health and wellbeing, with a particular focus on the experiences of First Nations peoples. (Scientist and Scholar)
  • Recognise and discuss how social, cultural, economic, and environmental factors interact to shape health outcomes in diverse communities across Australia. (Citizen)
  • Interpret and communicate basic information about health and wellbeing in a culturally respectful and inclusive way when engaging with diverse populations. (Professional)

Multimedia Presentation

Assessment Type 1: Professional task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 36 hours
Due: 01/05/2026
Weighting: 40%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual and Group
Short extension 3: No
AI assisted?: Open

You will consider the allocated case study or scenario provided using the Indigenous Kin and Country framework. As a group, you will record a podcast and relay your perspectives, discussions and considerations throughout the process. Each group member will submit an individual reflection, describing their contribution to the project and explaining how they incorporated ethical and cultural considerations into the work.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify and describe key social, cultural, and environmental determinants of health and wellbeing, with a particular focus on the experiences of First Nations peoples. (Scientist and Scholar)
  • Recognise and discuss how social, cultural, economic, and environmental factors interact to shape health outcomes in diverse communities across Australia. (Citizen)
  • Interpret and communicate basic information about health and wellbeing in a culturally respectful and inclusive way when engaging with diverse populations. (Professional)

First Nations health topic or policy Infographic

Assessment Type 1: Presentation task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 27 hours
Due: 05/06/2026
Weighting: 30%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: Yes
AI assisted?: Observed

Choose and research a current health topic or policy associated with First Nations communities. Demonstrate your understanding of the health topic or policy and develop an infographic.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify and describe key social, cultural, and environmental determinants of health and wellbeing, with a particular focus on the experiences of First Nations peoples. (Scientist and Scholar)
  • Explain the historical and ongoing impacts of colonisation, racism, and marginalisation on the health and wellbeing of First Nations peoples. (Practitioner)
  • Recognise and discuss how social, cultural, economic, and environmental factors interact to shape health outcomes in diverse communities across Australia. (Citizen)
  • Interpret and communicate basic information about health and wellbeing in a culturally respectful and inclusive way when engaging with diverse populations. (Professional)

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, and discussion boards. Details can be found on the iLearn site for this unit. 

Recommended Readings 

Please note week-to-week readings are prescribed for this unit. It is recommended that students read these before enaging with the online content. These are freely available to all students via LegantoPlease see iLearn for more information.

There is no required textbook for this unit, however, links to useful texts for students wishing for more information regarding lecture topics are also provided via Leganto

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

Week & Topic

WK 1: Unit orientation and foundations: health, society, and culture 

WK 2: Introduction to health and wellbeing at the population level 
WK 3: Health equity and social justice: understanding health differences 
WK 4: Health outcomes in diverse communities 
WK 5: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ health and wellbeing 
Assessment 1: Due week 5
WK 6: Racism, marginalisation, and cultural safety 
Semester Break
Semester Break
WK 7: Environment and sustainability 
WK 8: Intersectionality and gender as determinants of health 
Assessment 2: Due week 8
WK 9: Social determinants of chronic and infectious diseases 
WK 10: Mental health and determinants of health 
WK 11: Health systems, structures and political context  
WK 12: Health promotion, prevention, and population health 
WK 13: Revisiting threshold concepts and core understandings  
Assessment 3: Due week 13

*Time table is subject to change*

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.

Aritficial 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.


Unit information based on version 2026.03 of the Handbook