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Unit of study_

NURS2003: Contexts of Health and Disease

Semester 1, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit of study builds on the knowledge and understanding acquired by students in the first-year unit, NURS1003 Population Health. It critically examines contemporary theories and discourses about health, illness and care in Australia. These include biomedical and social models, sick-role theory and the consumer rights movement, primary health care and community partnership models, patient empowerment and self-management. Students will analyse, in depth, the relationships between social determinants of health – socioeconomic status, race and ethnicity, gender, sexuality, culture, colonisation, climate change and place of living – and patterns of health and illness across the lifespan. With this knowledge in mind, students will explore theories and practices of cultural competence, including cultural safety and respect and develop the cultural capabilities to provide care to people from diverse social and cultural backgrounds in Australia.

Unit details and rules

Unit code NURS2003
Academic unit Nursing and Midwifery
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
36 credit points of 1000 level units
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Horas Wong, horas.wong@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Isaac Addo, isaac.addo@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Tutorial quiz Assessment 1a: In-class review quiz 1
10 MCQs covering content of Week 1 and 2
5% Week 03 15 mins
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Small continuous assessment group assignment Assessment 2a: In-class case study 1
In-class group-based case studies
5% Week 05 1 hour
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Tutorial quiz Assessment 1b: In-class review quiz 2
20 MCQs, covering content from Week 1 to Week 6
10% Week 07 30 mins
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Small continuous assessment group assignment Assessment 2b: In-class case study 2
In-class group-based case studies
5% Week 08 1 hour
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Tutorial quiz Assessment 1c: In-class review quiz 3
30 MCQs, covering content form Week 1 to Week 9
15% Week 10 45 mins
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Presentation group assignment Assessment 4: Video presentation and Q&A
Producing a short film, in-class presentation, Q&A, peer-evaluation
20% Week 12 12mins per group
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Assignment Assessment 3: Photo-based Reflective Essay
1800-word individual essay
40% Week 13
Due date: 22 May 2024 at 23:59
1800 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Assessment 1: In-class Review Quizzes (Total 30%):

  • Conducted during Week 3, 7, and 10 tutorials.
  • Format: In-tutorial, individual, multiple-choice quizzes.
    • Quiz 1 (Week 3): 10 questions on Week 1-2 content, 15-minute duration.
    • Quiz 2 (Week 7): 20 questions on Week 1-6 content, 30-minute duration.
    • Quiz 3 (Week 10): 30 questions on Week 1-9 content, 45-minute duration.
  • Policy: Closed-book, no generative AI tools permitted.

Assessment 2: In-class Case Studies (Total 10%):

  • Conducted during Week 5 and Week 8 tutorials, each contributing 5%.
  • Format: In-tutorial, group-based, Short-question format.
  • Scoring: Same score for all group members.
  • Policy: Open-book, regulated use of generative AI allowed (must be declared).

Assessment 3: Group Short-Film Presentation and Q&A (20%):

  • Task: Create a 4-8 minute short film about health needs/support for a marginalised group.
  • Presentation: In-class screening in the final tutorial (Week 12), followed by Q&A.
  • Duration: 12 minutes total per group, including film and Q&A.
  • Evaluation: Teacher assessment (15%), inter-group peer review (5%).
  • Policy: Regulated use of generative AI permitted (must be declared).

Assessment 4: Photo-based Reflective Essay (40%):

  • Requirement: A 1800-word essay reflecting on personal social locations and health inequalities experienced by a marginalised group, incorporating photographs.
  • Policy: Regulated use of generative AI allowed (must be declared).

Important Note:

Completion Requirement: Submission of all assessments is mandatory for passing this unit. Failing to submit any of the assessments will result in an Absent Fail of the unit.

Further Details: Comprehensive information for each assessment is available on Canvas

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2021 (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

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard.

Distinction

75 - 84

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard

Credit

65 - 74

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard

Pass

50 - 64

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

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

For more information see guide to grades.

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:

*Where an assignment is submitted late without an approved extension, a late penalty will apply. 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. For work submitted more than ten calendar days after the due date a mark of zero marks will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

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 2023 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 2023. 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

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Unit introduction; The Social Model of Health Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 02 Power and intersectionality; Implicit bias and critical reflection Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 03 Tutorial 1 Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Working with marginalised communities; Participatory models and approaches in healthcare Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 04 Gender, sexuality and health; Trauma informed care and supporting women Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 05 Tutorial 2 Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 06 Social structure and health; First Nations injustice and inequity Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 07 Tutorial 3 Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 08 Tutorial 4 Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Correctional health nursing; Caring for people with intellectual disability Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 09 Working with culturally and linguistically diverse populations; Refugee health nursing Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 10 Tutorial 5 Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 11 Concept review; Assessment Q&A Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 12 Tutorial 6 Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5

Attendance and class requirements

  • Attendance: Students undertaking this unit of study are required to attend 100% of tutorials, which are supplemented with online lectures and self-learning activities. If students are absent from designated tutorials they will need to apply for special consideration. It is expected that students will engage effectively in all components of the unit of study unless granted exemption by the Head of School. 
  • Referencing guide: The Sydney Nursing School has adopted the American Psychological Association (APA) Referencing style, 7th Edition, as its official referencing style.  This is an author-date style of referencing.

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 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.

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

  • LO1. inquire about, and reflect upon, the main theories, ideas and beliefs that have shaped, and continue to shape, contemporary discourses of health, illness and care, and the meaning of these for the provision of care, particularly nursing care.
  • LO2. critically evaluate the relationship between the social, cultural, historical, political, environmental and global factors that determine health outcomes across the lifespan.
  • LO3. identify and discuss features of nursing professional culture, clinical governance, clinical practice and service delivery, that impact the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and people of other cultural backgrounds.
  • LO4. critically analyze theories of cultural competence, including cultural respect and safety and patient and community partnership approaches to providing safe and comprehensive care for socially and culturally diverse populations.
  • LO5. search for, locate, use and critique the international literature to explore key concepts related to this unit of study.

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
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes Competency standards
LO1
Registered Nurses Standards for Practice - NMBA
1.1. Accesses, analyses, and uses the best available evidence, that includes research findings for safe quality practice
1.3. Respects all cultures and experiences, which includes responding to the role of family and community that underpin the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people of other cultures
2.3. Recognises that people are the experts in the experience of their life
2.5. Advocates on behalf of people in a manner that respects the person’s autonomy and legal capacity
2.7. Actively fosters a culture of safety and learning that includes engaging with health professionals and others, to share knowledge and practice that supports person- centered care
4.3. Works in partnership to determine factors that affect, or potentially affect, the health and well being of people and populations to determine priorities for action and/or for referral
6.5. Practises in accordance with relevant nursing and health guidelines, standards, regulations and legislation
LO2
Registered Nurses Standards for Practice - NMBA
1.1. Accesses, analyses, and uses the best available evidence, that includes research findings for safe quality practice
1.2. Develops practice through reflection on experiences, knowledge, actions, feelings and beliefs to identify how these shape practice
1.3. Respects all cultures and experiences, which includes responding to the role of family and community that underpin the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people of other cultures
1.5. Uses ethical frameworks when making decisions
2.2. Communicates effectively, and is respectful of a person’s dignity, culture, values, beliefs and rights
2.3. Recognises that people are the experts in the experience of their life
3.3. Uses a lifelong learning approach for continuing professional development of self and others
3.5. Seeks and responds to practice review and feedback
3.7. Identifies and promotes the integral role of nursing practice and the profession in influencing better health outcomes for people
4.3. Works in partnership to determine factors that affect, or potentially affect, the health and well being of people and populations to determine priorities for action and/or for referral
LO3
Registered Nurses Standards for Practice - NMBA
1.1. Accesses, analyses, and uses the best available evidence, that includes research findings for safe quality practice
1.2. Develops practice through reflection on experiences, knowledge, actions, feelings and beliefs to identify how these shape practice
1.3. Respects all cultures and experiences, which includes responding to the role of family and community that underpin the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people of other cultures
1.4. Complies with legislation, common law, policies, guidelines and other standards or requirements relevant to the context of practice when making decisions
1.5. Uses ethical frameworks when making decisions
2.2. Communicates effectively, and is respectful of a person’s dignity, culture, values, beliefs and rights
2.3. Recognises that people are the experts in the experience of their life
2.7. Actively fosters a culture of safety and learning that includes engaging with health professionals and others, to share knowledge and practice that supports person- centered care
3.3. Uses a lifelong learning approach for continuing professional development of self and others
3.7. Identifies and promotes the integral role of nursing practice and the profession in influencing better health outcomes for people
LO4
Registered Nurses Standards for Practice - NMBA
1.1. Accesses, analyses, and uses the best available evidence, that includes research findings for safe quality practice
1.2. Develops practice through reflection on experiences, knowledge, actions, feelings and beliefs to identify how these shape practice
1.3. Respects all cultures and experiences, which includes responding to the role of family and community that underpin the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people of other cultures
2.7. Actively fosters a culture of safety and learning that includes engaging with health professionals and others, to share knowledge and practice that supports person- centered care
3.6. Actively engages with the profession
LO5
Registered Nurses Standards for Practice - NMBA
1.1. Accesses, analyses, and uses the best available evidence, that includes research findings for safe quality practice

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

The content and assessments of the unit have been reworked in response to student feedback since the unit was last offered. Particularly, the revised lectures, tutorials and assessments aim to better link theories in health and nursing practices, and aligns with the accredited nursing curriculum. Changes include lecture topics, tutorials' format and content covered, assessment methods.

Sensitive materials in teaching: Please note that in this Unit of Study sensitive and potentially distressing or disturbing content might be presented and/or discussed from time to time. This may include reference to for example, of people’s experiences of health and illness and/or culturally sensitive issues. These topics are relevant to your learning in this unit of study and your knowledge and skill development for nursing practice. You will be advised before the information/topic is presented. If you are participating in the teaching session/activity online, you are advised to use headphones and ensure that anyone not participating in the session cannot see images that you may be watching on your device. If the nature of the content makes you feel uncomfortable or distressed, it is important that you contact the unit coordinator or another member of the academic team to discuss this with them.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

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