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Unit of study_
PUBH5120: Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander Health
2026 unit information
This unit will deepen your philosophical, theoretical, and practical understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures, and societies within the context of public health. Through case studies grounded in diverse urban, regional, and remote communities as well as the lived experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, we will explore critical constructs such as transgenerational trauma, systemic racism, political structures, cultural determinants of health, ethical frameworks, and global Indigenous epistemologies. Together, we will critically examine why Australia has struggled to close the gap across most health and wellbeing indicators, and investigate innovative, ethical, and effective responses. Throughout the unit, you will be encouraged to engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander academics, health professionals, community members, your unit coordinator, tutors, and peers. This is a space where asking difficult questions and engaging in robust, respectful dialogue is both supported and expected. Our goal is to equip you with the conceptual insight and practical tools necessary to work in culturally safe, respectful, and effective ways alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across the nation.
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Medicine and Health
| Study level | Postgraduate |
|---|---|
| Academic unit | Public Health |
| Credit points | 6 |
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Prerequisites:
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None |
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Corequisites:
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None |
| Prohibitions:
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PUBH5118 |
| Assumed knowledge:
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PUBH5036 |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. Understand the concept of self determination and its connections to State power
- LO2. Understand theories and approaches to self determination
- LO3. Be able to describe structural racism and to distinguish structural racism from individual and overt forms
- LO4. Understand concepts of epistemology and epistemic values
- LO5. Gain insight into Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander epistemologies
- LO6. Understand connection between culture and health
- LO7. Students will be able to label and describe different forms of racism
- LO8. Students will be able to identify different theories used when confronting racism as a public health issue for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
- LO9. Students will learn what helps with healing from the negative health impacts of racisms
- LO10. Students will discuss and consider what works in countering racism in one's self; among one's personal and professional networks; and in institutions, with an emphasis on communication skills
- LO11. Students will be able to critically analyse and discuss a decolonising approach to health related research theory and practice
- LO12. Students will consider how to design respectful yet rigorous research or project plans/proposals using their critical thinking and reflective skills to inform Indigenous health research
- LO13. Students will discuss and consider how to work/walk alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples as co-researchers in health-related projects using decolonising theory and methods
- LO14. Students can formulate their own framework(s) for research, work and practice in relation to Aboriginal health
- LO15. Students identify needed skills to support the implementation of these frameworks
- LO16. Students can anticipate, describe and analyse challenges and potential problems in work in Aboriginal health and can identify strategies for mitigating and managing these
Unit availability
This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.
The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.
| Session | MoA ? | Location | Outline ? |
|---|---|---|---|
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Semester 2 2025
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Block mode | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney | |
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Semester 2 2025
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Online | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney |
| Session | MoA ? | Location | Outline ? |
|---|---|---|---|
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Semester 2 2026
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Block mode | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney |
Outline unavailable
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Semester 2 2026
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Online | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney |
Outline unavailable
|
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Modes of attendance (MoA)
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