Outline

Overview

When disaster strikes, be it a flood, bushfires, war, famine, earthquake, disease outbreak, or other calamity, health systems have to rapidly adapt. Health professionals are often confronted by an array of novel challenges, from identifying and responding to unfamiliar sources of morbidity and mortality, to trying to attend to regular health concerns in the absence of usual resources and infrastructure. Even if the area a health system operates in is not directly affected by the disaster, those that staff it may find themselves having to rapidly scale up activities to cater to the needs of displaced populations. In this unit of study we examine what it means to respond to public health emergencies, both at home and abroad. The unit has a strong focus on praxis, drawing on real-world examples from a variety of experts working in the field and with a 4-day hands-on intensive at the end of the course. The unit of study also has a strong critical element, as we examine the social and political drivers of different kinds of disaster and the various philosophical and legal frameworks underpinning different modes of public health emergency response.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Public Health
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	MIPH5124
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Freya Jephcott, freya.jephcott@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 2 October 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Written work	Assessment 4 Book review	35%	Formal exam period Due date: 13 Nov 2026 at 23:59	2000	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Conversation	Assessment 5 Tutorial participation – continuous assessment of contribution in the tutorials. We have prepared a list of model questions derived from the material (lectures, readings, videos and podcasts etc) that we will post in each module on Canvas.	10%	Ongoing	Ongoing	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Assessment 1 Reflective writing task	10%	Week 08 Due date: 21 Sep 2026 at 23:59	-	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Assessment 2 Situation report	30%	Week 12 Due date: 26 Oct 2026 at 23:59	-	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Assessment 3 Group presentation	15%	Week 12 Due date: 29 Oct 2026 at 23:59	-	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Assessment 1: Short reflective piece

Students are expected to write a short reflective piece detailing their perception of the nature of humanitarian health work and their particular relationship to that work (i.e., a positionality statement). Students are not expected to have any prior knowledge of humanitarian medicine/health work when they embark on this task. It is primarily intended to help them later reflect on what they have learnt during the course and how their thinking about humanitarian health work has changed.

Assessment 2: Situation report (sit rep)

In this task students will write and present a situation report (‘sit rep’) for a selected humanitarian crisis. In should be in the style of a situation report issued by a humanitarian agency with all of the relevant subsections, content, and analyses. After their presentation students should submit a copy of their slide deck and their typed up ‘sit rep’ to the course convenors for marking.

Assessment 3: Group humanitarian project proposal

In this task, students will work together to create their own proposed humanitarian health project, which they will then present to the class for discussion. A copy of the slides and notes from the talk should be submitted to the course convenors after the presentation.

Assesment 4: Book review and updated relfective piece

In this task, students will read a book assigned to them at the start of the course and submit a report on it in the style of an academic journal book review. Accompanying the book review should be an updated personal reflective statement. The reflective statement should be updated to reflect the student’s changed understanding of humanitarian medicine/health work and their relationship to it (positionality statement) and include any particularly relevant insights derived from their assigned book.

Assessment 5: Tutorial

Continuous assessment of contribution in the tutorials. A list of model questions derived from the material (lectures, readings, videos and podcasts) will be posted in each module on Canvas. The questions will be shared in advance with the students to assess their knowledge and understanding of the module’s content, and the way they engage with each other in relation to topic. A rubric will be provided to assess the student’s participation.

The tutorials may also have mini group discussions/breakout rooms for specific case-studies where each group would have a facilitator/note-taker to ensure active participation throughout the weeks.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

See the Canvas page for the assessment grading for each assignment.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100
Credit	65 - 74
Pass	50 - 64
Fail	0 - 49

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

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:

For every calendar day up to and including ten calendar days after the due date, a penalty of 5% of the maximum awardable marks will be applied to late work. The penalty will be calculated by first marking the work, and then subtracting 5% of the maximum awardable mark for each calendar day after the due date. For work submitted more than ten calendar days after the due date a mark of zero will be awarded. The marker may elect to, but is not required to, provide feedback on such work.

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 06	Introduction and welcome to this course! The material for this week is dedicated to providing an overview of the course and generally getting to know each other.	Lecture (3.5 hr)
Week 07	In Module 1 we will be examining domestic responses to public health emergencies. Domestic responses range from improvised grassroots initiatives and the work of established non-governmental organizations (NGOs), through to expansive national governmental responses. We will be focusing on the relationships between these different groups of responders and the affected populations they look to help.	Lecture (3.5 hr)
Week 08	In Module 2 we will be looking at international responses to public health emergencies. Specifically, we will be looking at those of a humanitarian ilk. We will examine the long history of medical humanitarianism, explore its contemporary manifestations, and together feel out what further transformations might be necessary for it to effectively function given rapidly geopolitical landscapes, shifts in social sensibilities, and the distinct characteristics of modern public health emergencies.	Lecture (3.5 hr)
Week 09	In Module 3 will be looking at transnational responses to public health emergencies. We will consider the work and shifting prominence of established transnational organizations and examine the recent emergence of collaborative regional hubs. We will also look at the work of overseas diasporas in providing critical support and resilience during disasters. Underlying these discussions will be an exploration of the nature and role of “closeness” in effective transnational disaster responses.	Lecture (3.5 hr)
Week 10	In Module 4 we will be taking a close look at how the particular needs of refuges and internally displaced people (IDP) can be met during public health emergencies and recent changes to established practice in this area.	Lecture (3.5 hr)
Week 12	In this four-day intensive we will be focusing on applying what we have learnt in the 4 preceding modules. The bulk of the intensive will be dedicated to simulation exercises, with students participating in mock domestic, humanitarian, and transnational responses to different types of public health emergencies.	Workshop (3.5 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Tutorials will be conducted online (weeks 6, 7, 8, 9, 10). Please check on Canvas which tutorial group you have been allocated to. Students are expected to prepare in advance of the tutorial using the material provided in each week's module. All tutorials are compulsory.

The intensive block mode (26th - 29th October) will comprise of workshops and group work.

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 an understanding of the key health and related issues in humanitarian emergencies
LO2. recognise priority public health issues that arise in emergency situations and displaced populations
LO3. develop responses to health issues arising in humanitarian emergency situations
LO4. demonstrate an understanding of the role of aid agencies and health workers in emergency situations
LO5. recognise the potential health impacts of forced migration.

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.

A number of changes have been made since the unit was last 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

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

GLOH5124: Responding to Public Health Emergencies

Semester 2b, 2026 [Block mode] - 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

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links