Outline

Overview

Building on the foundational skills developed in BBHE1002, this unit delves deeper into the interpersonal and professional dimensions of healthcare. The focus is on cultivating cultural competence, fostering collaborative teamwork, and enhancing self-reflection to understand how patients navigate the complexities of modern healthcare environments. Students will learn to address health disparities and deliver patient-centred care by respecting diverse cultural perspectives, recognising varying levels of health literacy in the community and taking a strength-based perspective for Indigenous Health. Students will strengthen their ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams, resolve team conflicts, and continuously evolve as empathetic healthcare professionals. By the end of this unit, students will be equipped with advanced skills in cultural awareness, teamwork, and professional development, empowering them to contribute meaningfully to diverse and dynamic healthcare settings.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Department of Medical Sciences
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	BBHE1002
Corequisites ?	BBHE1005
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Jacinta Mackay, jacinta.mackay@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
Oral exam	Oral Exam A complex case scenario with a focus on Indigenous Health. 5 mins prep- 10 mins oral exam.	0%	Formal exam period	15 minutes (oral)	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Out-of-class quiz	Out of Class Quiz: Early Feedback Task Online quiz to test your understanding of the material covered in the first 2 weeks.	0%	Week 03 Due date: 23 Aug 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 13 Sep 2026	20 minutes	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Group written work contract Group task to create a written work contract.	0%	Week 04 Due date: 30 Aug 2026 at 23:59	1000 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Group presentation Group presentation. This assessment will be integrated with BBHE1005.	0%	Week 11	15 minute group presentation	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Group Report Group report. This assessment will be integrated with BBHE1005.	0%	Week 13 Due date: 06 Nov 2026 at 23:59	2000 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = group assignment ? = early feedback task ?

Early feedback task

This unit includes an early feedback task, designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the Canvas site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

Assessment summary

Assessments in this unit are designed to scaffold learning, providing valuable feedback in earlier tasks to support completion of later tasks.

Out of class quiz: Students complete an individual online quiz designed as an early feedback task to test understanding of the material covered in the first two weeks of the unit. The quiz is completed outside of class, takes approximately 20 minutes, and is scheduled for Week 3. This is a formative assessment, carries a weighting of 0%, and provides students with feedback on their progress against Learning Outcomes 1 and 2.

Group written work contract: Working in groups, students develop a written team contract outlining how they will work together across group-based assessments. The contract clarifies expectations relating to roles and responsibilities, timelines, communication methods, meeting arrangements, decision-making processes, and standards for participation and professionalism. This task is completed in Week 4, is 1000 words, and serves as a formative early feedback activity assessing Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6.

Group presentation: As part of a shared work with BBHE1005, students work collaboratively to deliver a group presentation reporting on the historical background underpinning health challenges that have led to innovation, addressing health equity and cultural safety as a key component throughout the presentation. Each group member contributes part of a shared 15‑minute presentation delivered in week 11. This summative, pass/fail assessment aligns with Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6.

Group written report: As part of a shared group report with BBHE1005, students prepare a 2000‑word report analysing the innovation and then critically reviewing key challenges the innovation faces and potential solutions to these challenges. This summative group assessment is due in Week 13, is graded on a pass/fail basis, and assesses Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6.

Final exam – oral assessment: The final assessment is a secured, in‑person interactive oral exam conducted during the final examination period and is a hurdle requirement for the unit. In this 10‑minute viva-style assessment, students respond to a complex clinical case scenario with a focus on Indigenous health, demonstrating clinical reasoning and communication skills. This summative assessment is graded on a pass/fail basis and assesses Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 5, and 6.

The summative assessments in this unit are: i) group presentation, ii) group report, and (iv) the final oral exam. All summative assessments in this unit are pass/fail. To pass this unit, students are required to i) pass the final exam, and (ii) fail no more than one of the other summative assessments. Students who fail any summative assessment will be given one opportunity for remediation and re-assessment for that specific assessment.

Detailed instructions for each task can be found on Canvas and discussed further within tutorial classes.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2021 (Schedule 1).

Result name	Mark range	Description
Satisfied requirements	50 - 100	The learning outcomes of the unit of study have been met to a satisfactory standard.
Failed requirements	0 - 49	The learning outcomes of the unit of study have not been met to a satisfactory standard.

This unit contains the following paired assessment (s):

BBHE1005 / 1007 - Group presentation (Week 11)

BBHE1005 / 1007 - Group report (Week 13)

Marking of paired assessment(s) will be as follows: 

Assessment of learning outcomes from one unit will be awarded only to that unit using an appropriate rubric. 

Assessment of learning outcomes in both units will be awarded to both units using an appropriate rubric.

Assessment of learning outcomes in grade-only units (i.e. BBHE1007), will be assessed against meeting the required competency level using an appropriate rubric.   

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:

Late penalties (grade-only unit): On-time submission of assessments and meeting deadlines is a key aspect of professionalism in the healthcare sector. Assessments submitted late without permission (see Special Considerations: http://sydney.edu.au/students/special-consideration-and-arrangements.html) will incur a late penalty applied to the marking of your assessment. The late penalty will be applied within the ‘professionalism’ category of the rubric, where professionalism is graded ‘highly satisfactory’, ‘satisfactory’, ‘poor’ or ‘unsatisfactory’, or ‘automatic fail’. Assessments submitted 0-5 calendar days late will automatically incur a ‘poor’ grade for professionalism, and assessments submitted 6-10 calendar days late will incur an ‘unsatisfactory’ grade. Performance within the other assessment categories will determine if the late penalties for 0-5 and 6-10 days late result in an overall fail grade for the assessment. If the assessment is more than 10 calendar days late, it will incur the ‘automatic fail’ grade for professionalism, and the overall assessment will be failed

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	4x online lecturettes: Introduction to health communication; overview of cultural awareness in health. Where do you come from?	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 02	4x online lecturettes: First Nations health and history, Alternative models of health.	Lecture (1 hr)
	First Nations health and history, Alternative models of health.	Tutorial (1 hr)
	First Nations health and history, Alternative models of health.	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 03	4x online lecturettes: Communication strategies for audiences with varying health literacy.	Lecture (1 hr)
	Communication strategies for audiences with varying health literacy.	Tutorial (1 hr)
	Communication strategies for audiences with varying health literacy.	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 04	4x online lecturettes: Partnership with Indigenous health organisations (ACCHOs), professionals, & Community; teamwork and multidisciplinary teams	Lecture (1 hr)
	Partnership with Indigenous health organizations (ACCHOs), professionals & Community; teamwork and multidisciplinary teams	Tutorial (1 hr)
	Partnership with Indigenous health organizations (ACCHOs), professionals & Community; teamwork and multidisciplinary teams	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 05	4x online lecturettes: Cultural sensitivity and communication skills	Lecture (1 hr)
	Cultural sensitivity and communication skills	Tutorial (1 hr)
	Cultural sensitivity and communication skills	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 06	4x online lecturettes: Socioeconomic and cultural determinants of health and intersectionality.	Lecture (1 hr)
	Socioeconomic and cultural determinants of health and intersectionality.	Tutorial (1 hr)
	Socioeconomic and cultural determinants of health and intersectionality.	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 07	4x online lecturettes: Building rapport and trust with patients, families, and colleagues from CALD groups.	Lecture (1 hr)
	Building rapport and trust with patients, families, and colleagues from CALD groups.	Tutorial (1 hr)
	Building rapport and trust with patients, families, and colleagues from CALD groups.	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 08	4x online lecturettes: Clinical practice, service delivery, and achieving cultural safety	Lecture (1 hr)
	Clinical practice, service delivery, and achieving cultural safety	Tutorial (1 hr)
	Clinical practice, service delivery, and achieving cultural safety	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 09	4x online lecturettes: Defining and applying cultural safety in practice	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 10	4x online lecturettes: Interdisciplinary collaboration in real-world clinical scenarios	Lecture (1 hr)
	Interdisciplinary collaboration in real-world clinical scenarios	Tutorial (1 hr)
	Interdisciplinary collaboration in real-world clinical scenarios	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 11	4x online lecturettes: First Nations-led health programs and Community-driven approaches	Lecture (1 hr)
	First Nations-led health programs and Community-driven approaches.	Tutorial (1 hr)
	First Nations-led health programs and Community-driven approaches.	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 12	4x online lecturettes: Ethics in communication and decision-making in healthcare	Lecture (1 hr)
	Ethics in communication and decision-making in healthcare	Tutorial (1 hr)
	Ethics in communication and decision-making in healthcare	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 13	4x online lecturettes: Integrating all learning: culturally safe, ethical, team-focused practice, assignment prep	Lecture (1 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Participation: Each week this unit consists of two face-to-face classes, a 1hr tutorial and a 2hr workshop/practical.

Participation in these face-to-face classes is compulsory, and a requirement to successfully complete the UoS. Students are expected to attend a minimum of 80% of timetabled activities as defined in the unit of study outline.

Before attending the tutorial and workshop/practical class, students should watch the accompanying lecturettes and complete any accompanying formative quizzes.

The University of Sydney Coursework Policy 2021 states: 
68 (2) A student enrolled in a unit of study must comply with the requirements set out in the faculty resolutions, award course resolutions or unit of study outline about undertaking the unit of study, including on matters such as: (a) attendance at and participation in lectures, seminars and tutorials; and (b) participation in practical work.

68 (3) A program director may specify the circumstances under which a student who does not satisfy attendance and participation requirements may be deemed not to have completed a unit of study or award course.

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.

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. Demonstrate skills in cultural safety and effective communication of health-related content to a range of audiences in health, including First Nations communities, people from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, and those with varying levels of health literacy.
LO2. Demonstrate how fostering trust, empathy, and rapport with colleagues, patients and their families/support networks are essential for improving health outcomes.
LO3. Demonstrate effective teamwork to address complex issues in biomedical science and patient care.
LO4. Recognise and describe the importance of a diverse and interdisciplinary team to effectively work through and solve complex biomedical and clinical scenarios.
LO5. Exhibit confidence in recognising the meaning of resilience for First Nations people, the cultural safety, cultural knowledge and community-driven approaches that contribute to improved health outcomes and equity for our First Nations communities.
LO6. Demonstrate ethical and professional conduct in the context of clinical practice, research, use of digital technologies, and decision making.

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.

Additional information

Passing the unit (Grade-only unit):

To pass this unit of study, students must: 

Pass all hurdle tasks 
Fail no more than one of the remaining non-hurdle summative assessments.

Remediation and reassessment (Grade-only unit):

Students who fail a hurdle task, or their second non-hurdle summative assessment, will be given one opportunity for remediation and reassessment for that specific task. 

This includes receiving detailed feedback on the original failed assessment and additional teaching support comprising either: (i) an extra 1 hr tutorial or (ii) a 15-minute meeting with a member of academic staff. This opportunity will be provided within 10 days of the outcome of the original assessment being released, and whilst it will assess the same learning objectives, it could take a different format.

The one remediation and reassessment opportunity is in addition to any reassessment due to a successful application for special consideration. If a student is unable to attend the scheduled remediation reassessment opportunity, they may apply for special considerations as per the University of Sydney Assessment Procedures 2024.

Formative assessment:

Definition: Assessments that do not contribute to passing the unit or the final grade/mark

Purpose: To guide instruction, provide timely feedback, and help students improve.

Timing: Ongoing, frequent, during the learning process.

Stakes: Low-stakes or ungraded.

Feedback: Detailed, developmental, and immediate.

Examples: weekly practice quizzes, in-class questions and worksheets.

Summative assessment:

Definition: Assessments that do contribute to passing the unit or the final grade/mark

Purpose: To evaluate overall learning, measure achievement, and determine competency.

Timing: Mid-semester test (e.g. week 7/8), towards the end of the unit, exam period.

Stakes: High-stakes, graded, affects advancement.

Feedback: Final, evaluative (e.g., score, grade).

Examples: In semester tests, interactive oral exam, written exam.

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

Early feedback task

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

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

BBHE1007: Advanced Social Skills and Cultural Safety

Semester 2, 2026 [Normal day] - Westmead, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

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

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links