Outline

Overview

This unit of study introduces students to ethics and law in relation to the Australian health system. The unit takes an interdisciplinary approach to exploring fundamental ethical principles in relation to health and health services. It also provides a basic introduction to legal aspects of health and healthcare. Topics of focus include mental health, health complaints, reproductive technologies, the start and end of life, disability, public health and genetic technology. Students will develop their own ethical thinking and an understanding of professionally acceptable behaviours appropriate to practice in a wide range of disciplines and health professions, including policy and administration. Learning is interactive and scenarios are used as discussion points to develop ethical thinking. Students will develop a written or multimedia research project based on an ethical and legal issue of their choosing.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Participation Sciences
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	48 credit points of units
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Shane Clifton, shane.clifton@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
In-person written or creative task	Midsemester in-class test Class test of foundational concepts from material covered in weeks 1 - 4.	25%	Week 05 Due date: 27 Mar 2026 at 13:00	50 Minutes	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Research project Project completed by Individuals or Pairs. Written or multi-media/written	40%	Week 09 Due date: 01 May 2026 at 23:59	2000 words solo 3000 pair 750 multimedia	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Debate	Team debate and 1000-word summary report In-class team debate	25%	Week 13 Due date: 29 May 2026 at 13:00	up to 40 mins	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Out-of-class quiz	Weekly quiz and workshop participation Weekly online quiz and workshop participation.	10%	Weekly	Weekly, weeks 1-13	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Online weekly task completion and workshop participation (10% – 1% for each week completed. Weekly from week 1): Students will need to complete an online weekly task via the Canvas site before they attend their workshop and then participate actively in their workshop to receive 1% in their tutorial, up to a maximum of 10%. Students must complete the weekly tutorial task and actively participate in at least 7 workshops to pass the unit.

Preliminary assessment (25% Week 5):This is a class test on all material covered in weeks 1-4. It has been designed to test your knowledge to ensure that students grasp of ethical theories and can apply them to case studies in healthcare. It will use multiple choice, short answer and case study questions.

Research project (40%, due week 11): Students will work in pairs or by themselves to complete a research project investigating a topic of choice in which they discuss the ethical and legal aspects of the topic. Students may also choose to complete a multi media task. Length: 2000 words per pair of students (approx 1000 each), 1500 words for a solo assignment and 750 words plus a 5 minute video for a multi-media task. Further information will be provided on the Canvas site in due course.

Team Debate (25%, due Week 13): Participation in an in-class team debate. Students will be assigned to a debate team of 4-5 people (3 presenters and 1-2 researchers) and allocated a debate topic and side (affirmative or negative). Teams will also submit a 1000-word supporting report (see details below).

Further information on all assessment will be provided on the Canvas site after the start of semester.

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.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100
Distinction	75 - 84
Credit	65 - 74
Pass	50 - 64
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

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:

Students must complete the weekly online tasks prior to the workshop and actively participate in at least 7 workshops to pass the unit. Standard late penalties apply to all other assessment.

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	Introduction to the unit, to ethics and to law in Australia	Self-directed learning (1 hr)
Week 01	Autonomy, competency and consent	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 02	Professionalism and consumers	Self-directed learning (1 hr)
Week 02	Theoretical Approaches to Ethics in Health Care	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 03	Torts of Assault, False imprisonment, negligence	Self-directed learning (1 hr)
Week 03	Theoretical approaches to healthcare	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 04	Ethics for the start and end of life Part 1	Self-directed learning (1 hr)
Week 04	Ethics for the start and end of life Part 2	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 05	Revision and advice for midsemester test	Self-directed learning (1 hr)
Week 05	Mid-semester in-class test	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 06	Surrogacy and sex selection	Self-directed learning (1 hr)
Week 06	Reproductive technologies	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 07	Adverse events and complaints	Self-directed learning (1 hr)
Week 07	Ethical workplaces; Tensions at Work: Whistleblowing	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 08	Mad studies and the ethics of mental health treatment	Self-directed learning (1 hr)
Week 08	Care and treatment in mental health	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 09	privacy and confidentiality	Self-directed learning (1 hr)
Week 09	The ethics of activism	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 10	Disability ethics and vulnerability	Self-directed learning (1 hr)
Week 10	Disability ethics	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 11	Personal liberty and public health	Self-directed learning (1 hr)
Week 11	Health care: resource allocation and rationing; Ethical and legal issues in public health.	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 12	Virtue ethics; the ethical person and the good life through health challenges	Self-directed learning (1 hr)
Week 12	The ethics of care of the self; Wrap-up, student unit evaluation and debate preparation	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 13	Debate preparation	Self-directed learning (1 hr)
Week 13	Debates: Ethical dilemmas	Workshop (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Workshops

This is a barrier task: you must attend at least 7 workshops to pass the unit. This is because discussion of ethical concepts is a key learning outcome for the unit.About the workshops

Before attending the two-hour workshops, you must complete the essential learning materials. These include watching/listening to recorded lectures and completing quizzes and discussions.

Two-hour workshops run every week and attendance is marked and participation graded. Workshops engage students in specific topics, present key concepts and examples, and discuss how each topic fits into the overall unit of study. Administrative announcements are made in workshops and via the HSBH3004 Canvas site. Workshops also involve group discussion and debate around specific ethical and legal cases.

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

Readings for this unit are included on the Canvas site where there are separate modules for each week. These modules provide more details of the content of each of the workshops, suggested readings along with quizzes and other activities.

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 the sources of Australian law
LO2. understand the part ethical decisions play in health care
LO3. identify what constitutes an ethical or legal issue in the context of health care provision, planning, clinical application and research
LO4. understand the key concepts in law and ethics identified in the unit lectures, workshops and readings and apply these to case studies
LO5. effectively engage in informed discussion (both written and oral) on ethical issues arising in the health care context
LO6. identify laws and legal frameworks applicable to health care, health promotion and health research
LO7. produce written and oral work which reflects on the unit content through individual research and group discussion.

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 subject received very positive feedback over the last two years, ranking among the top 10% of courses in student surveys. No substantive changes have been made to the unit this year.

Additional information

Health Sciences Student Information Manual

Work, health and safety

There are no specific WHS requirements for this unit.

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

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

HSBH3004: Health, Ethics and the Law

Semester 1, 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

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links