Outline

Overview

This unit examines how wellbeing is defined, experienced, governed, and contested across diverse social, cultural, and ecological landscapes. It draws on ethnographic case studies from around the world to understand how unequal social conditions and social changes determine individual and collective wellbeing. Students will learn how intersections of gender, class, race, ethnicity, and age shape disparities in access to care, resources, and recognition. Topics include the political economy of health and development, indigenous and decolonial perspectives on wellbeing, environmental change and its impacts on health, parenthood, and intergenerational wellbeing.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Anthropology
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	12 credit points at 2000 level in Anthropology
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Sophie Chao, sophie.chao@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 August 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Contribution	Discussion posts Weekly Canvas discussion post that offers meaningful comments and questions in response to the week’s topic/readings	20%	Ongoing	200w x 10 posts = 2,000w	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Short Critical Response Summary, analysis, and critique of one selected unit-required reading	20%	Week 04 Due date: 30 Aug 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 13 Sep 2026	1,000 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Research Essay Based on literature review of relevant sources within and beyond the unit	30%	Week 09 Due date: 11 Oct 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 25 Oct 2026	1,500 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Auto-ethnographic Reflection Creative, experimental, and personal essay connecting unit themes and theories to a selected location, environment, activity, object, person, memory, or event	30%	Week 13 Due date: 08 Nov 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 22 Nov 2026	1,500 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment, including marking rubrics, can be found on Canvas.

Except for Assessment 4, all word counts can be plus/minus 10%. Anything above or below is penalized at 1% per 10 words. Posts for Assessment 4 should not be below 200 words, but can be over 200 words without any penalty.

Short Critical Response (1,000w)

This assessment is due on Sunday Week 4.

For this assessment, you are expected to:

Pick one required reading from the unit (Weeks 1 – 4)
Summarize the reading’s key topics and arguments
Analyze the reading’s key strengths and limitations
Connect the reading to your own life and experiences.

Note: Please aim for a balanced word count between parts b – d of the criteria above. Please also aim for a balanced analysis in part c of the reading’s strengths and limitations. No additional citations other than the one selected reading are necessary.

Research Essay (1,500w)

This assessment is due on Sunday Week 9.

For this assessment, you are expected to:

Choose one question from the list of four available options (these questions will focus on materials covered in Weeks 5 – 8)
Address/answer the chosen question by engaging with relevant concepts, theories and debates examined in the unit
Connect your points and arguments to relevant real-world lived events and experiences.

The research essay should include at least 5 references to scholarly sources from within or beyond the unit. You are also encouraged to draw on non-scholarly sources if relevant (e.g. media, news, or online resources). You should aim to structure your research essay as: Introduction, body text, and Conclusion. Using sub-headings for different sections of the body text will help enhance the essay’s overall narrative flow. Make sure to answer all parts of the question in your response. This can include challenging the phrasing or assumptions of the question itself, if you feel that is important. Make sure to open your essay with a short Introduction that explains the structure of the essay that follows. Similarly, make sure to close your essay with a punchy Conclusion that identifies the key takeaways from your essay and any future or complementary lines of inquiry that your essay invites. Most importantly, make sure to refer to different ethnographic case studies to support your argument.

Auto-ethnographic Reflection (1,500w)

This assessment is due on Sunday Week 13.

For this assessment, you are expected to:

Pick a location, environment, activity, object, person, memory, or event that brings you a sense of wellbeing
Describe in detail the location, environment, activity, object, person, memory, or event, including your own personal experiences and reflections on how and why it offers you a sense of wellbeing, and what kind of wellbeing it provides
Analyze the location, environment, activity, object, person, memory, or event and its connection to wellbeing by using one or more of the concepts and ideas covered in the unit
Incorporate additional multi-modal materials (e.g., photographs, film, or audio) to supplement the written part of the reflection.

This assessment is intended to be creative, experimental, and personal. Please write in a style that really brings the experience and story to life on the page. For instance, you can write in the form of multiple journal entries, or poems, or a conversation – again, creativity is key. Auto-ethnographic reflections should be written in the first person and include descriptions of your own personal experience, thoughts, and emotions, as these relate to wellbeing. You should not undertake an encounter that falls outside of your ordinary experiences. Aim for a balance between the two key parts of the essay: description and analysis. At least five references should be cited and discussed as part of the analysis component. You are encouraged to draw from sources outside the course, and these can be either scholarly or non-scholarly sources.

Discussion post (2,000w)

This assessment runs throughout the semester; however, discussion posts must be submitted by the end of the relevant week i.e. Sunday of Week 3 for Week 3 topic/readings. Discussion posts submitted after the Sunday of the relevant week will not count towards your final mark.

For this assessment, you are expected to:

Offer meaningful comments and questions in response to the Week’s topic/readings
Offer a contribution of 200 words minimum per contribution (more is great)
Submit a contribution in a minimum of 10 out of 13 weeks (again, more is great).

The discussion posts are intended to foster dialogue beyond the classroom. Please engage with your peers’ comments in your contribution. This is also the place to bring up any outstanding questions or confusions you might have about the Week’s topic. You are encouraged to connect the readings to relevant real-world events (including links to related resources).

Assessment criteria

Result code	Result name	Mark range	Description
HD	High distinction	85 - 100	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
DI	Distinction	75 - 84	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
CR	Credit	65 - 74	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
PS	Pass	50 - 64	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
FA	Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.
AF	Absent fail	0 - 49	When you haven’t completed all assessment tasks or met the attendance requirements.
CN	Cancelled	No mark	When your enrolment has been cancelled.
DC	Discontinued not to count as failure	No mark or 0	When you discontinue a unit under special circumstances (outlined in clause 92 of the Coursework Policy), after the relevant census date.
DF	Discontinue – fail	No mark or 0	When you discontinue a unit after the relevant census date but before the DF deadline, and you have not been granted a discontinuation under special circumstances.
FR	Failed requirements	No mark	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes to a satisfactory standard, for units which are marked as either Satisfied requirements or Failed requirements.
SR	Satisfied requirements	No mark	When you meet the learning outcomes to a satisfactory standard, for units which are marked as either Satisfied requirements or Failed requirements.
WD	Withdrawn	No mark	When you discontinue a unit before the relevant census date. WD grades do not appear on your academic transcript.
NE	Not examinable	No mark or 0	When you have exhausted your options to sit replacement exams or replacement assessment tests. An NE does not count as a fail on your transcript and won’t be included in your weighted average mark (WAM).

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Assessments submitted over two weeks post-deadline will not be accepted.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	What Is Wellbeing? An Introduction	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 01	What Is Wellbeing? An Introduction	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 02	Measuring the Good Life: Indicators, Metrics, and Power	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 02	Measuring the Good Life: Indicators, Metrics, and Power	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 03	Political Economy, Poverty, and Structural Violence	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 03	Political Economy, Poverty, and Structural Violence	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 04	Colonialism, Decolonization, and Indigenous Wellbeing	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 04	Colonialism, Decolonization, and Indigenous Wellbeing	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 05	Gender, Care, and Reproductive Wellbeing	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 05	Gender, Care, and Reproductive Wellbeing	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 06	Food, Nutrition, and Embodied Wellbeing	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 06	Food, Nutrition, and Embodied Wellbeing	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 07	Mental Health, Emotions, and Wellbeing as Affect	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 07	Mental Health, Emotions, and Wellbeing as Affect	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 08	Youth, Aging, and Intergenerational Wellbeing	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 08	Youth, Aging, and Intergenerational Wellbein	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 09	Race, Racism, and Health Inequality	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 09	Race, Racism, and Health Inequality	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 10	Objects, Leisure, and the Commodification of Wellbeing	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 10	Objects, Leisure, and the Commodification of Wellbeing	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 11	Religion, Spirituality, and Moral Personhood	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 11	Religion, Spirituality, and Moral Personhood	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 12	Environmental, Multispecies, and Planetary Wellbeing	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 12	Environmental, Multispecies, and Planetary Wellbeing	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 13	Futures of Wellbeing: Resistance, Repair, and Hope	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 13	Futures of Wellbeing: Resistance, Repair, and Hope	Tutorial (1 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: According to Faculty Board Resolutions, students in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences are expected to attend 90% of their classes. If you attend less than 50% of classes, regardless of the reasons, you may be referred to the Examiner’s Board. The Examiner’s Board will decide whether you should pass or fail the unit of study if your attendance falls below this threshold.
Lecture recording: Most lectures (in recording-equipped venues) will be recorded and may be made available to students on the LMS. However, you should not rely on lecture recording to substitute your classroom learning experience.
Preparation: Students should commit to spend approximately three hours’ preparation time (reading, studying, homework, essays, etc.) for every hour of scheduled instruction.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library’s reading list system Leganto, available on Canvas.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. understand and critically analyse cultural and political definitions of wellbeing across diverse contexts.
LO2. apply anthropological theories and ethnographic evidence to debates about health, care, and inequality.
LO3. engage respectfully and reflexively with Indigenous and decolonial perspectives on wellbeing.
LO4. evaluate how wellbeing is shaped by power relations including colonialism, capitalism, racism, gender, and environmental change.
LO5. communicate complex anthropological arguments clearly and persuasively in written and oral forms.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This is the first time this unit has been offered.

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

ANTH3622: The Culture and Politics of Wellbeing

Semester 2, 2026 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links