Outline

Overview

In this unit, students will examine and explore the social and cultural determinants of health, with a view to understanding the role of social work across diverse health settings, structures and systems. Key health issues will be discussed including substance use, models of care and intersectional health needs and responses. Social work perspectives and practices will be utilised in creating a professional understanding and culturally safe approach to working in and across health.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Social Work
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	96 credit points including SCWK2006 and SCWK2007 and SCWK2008 and SCWK2009 and SCWK2010
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Sacha Jamieson, sacha.jamieson@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Sacha Jamieson, sacha.jamieson@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Esraa Mohamed, esraa.mohamed@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	Group project This assessment requires students to work in teams of 4-6 students to produce an in-depth analysis of health inequalities pertaining to a specific group or issue. The project involves development of a resource folder and a class presentation	30%	Multiple weeks	1500 words equivalent
Outcomes assessed:
Online task	Individual reflection on group work This assessment requires students to complete a critical reflection on their learning and participation in team work across the semester using at least one theory from the unit of study.	10%	Multiple weeks	500 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Quiz Students are required to complete an online quiz assessing their learning in Weeks 1-4	30%	Week 04 Due date: 23 Mar 2025 at 23:59	1000words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Final essay Major essay on the intersection of health and social inequality. The essay should focus on a specific group or issue. Students are required to provide a critical analysis and apply concepts and theory from this unit of study.	30%	Week 12 Due date: 25 May 2025 at 23:59	1500 words
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = group assignment ? = AI allowed ?

Assessment summary

Quiz: Students are required to complete an online quiz assessing their learning in Weeks 1-4.

Group project: This assessment requires students to work in teams of 4-6 students to produce an in-depth analysis of health inequalities pertaining to a specific group or issue. The project involves development of a resource folder and a class presentation.

Individual reflection on group work: This assessment requires students to complete a critical reflection on their participation in team work across the semester. This reflection should draw on social work theories introduced during the semester to enhance the analysis of the team processes.

Final essay: Major essay on the intersection of health and social inequality. The essay should focus on a specific group or issue. Students are required to provide a critical analysis and apply concepts and theory from this unit of study.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas

Assessment criteria

RESULT NAME	MARK RANGE	DESCRIPTION
High Distinction	85-100	Outstanding work, exceeding the expected learning outcomes.
Distinction	75-84	Excellent work, learning outcomes are strongly achieved.
Credit	65-74	Good work, learning outcomes are achieved.
Pass	50-64	Learning outcomes met on the most basic level, or lacking in one area.
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) and automated writing tools

Except for supervised exams or in-semester tests, you may use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessments unless expressly prohibited by your unit coordinator.

For exams and in-semester tests, the use of AI and automated writing tools is not allowed unless expressly permitted in the assessment instructions.

The icons in the assessment table above indicate whether AI is allowed – whether full AI, or only some AI (the latter is referred to as “AI restricted”). If no icon is shown, AI use is not permitted at all for the task. Refer to Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks for this unit.

Your final submission must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of automated writing tools or generative AI, and any material generated that you include in your final submission must be properly referenced. You may be required to submit generative AI inputs and outputs that you used during your assessment process, or drafts of your original work. Inappropriate use of generative AI is considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

The Current Students website provides information on artificial intelligence in assessments. For help on how to correctly acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the  AI in Education Canvas site.

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 after the due date, a penalty of 5% of the maximum awardable marks will be applied to late work. See Canvas for more details.

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.

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 health inequalities and social, cultural, and political determinants of health	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 02	Health equity and systems theory from a critical social work perspective	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 03	Critical whiteness theory, decoloniality theory, and cultural humility in social work	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 04	Community development theory and community-led approaches to health and wellbeing	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 05	Complexity theory and its application to social work	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 06	Post-structuralism and Anti-Oppressive Practice to address health inequity	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 07	Strengths-based approaches, social work power, and the moral- political activity of professional work	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 08	Loss and grief theories for practice in diverse social work contexts	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 09	Feminist approaches: critical, intersectional approaches to health, mental health, and wellbeing	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 10	Applying social determinants of health theorisations to specific groups and issues	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 11	Applying social determinants of health theorisations to specific groups and issues	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 12	Applying social determinants of health theorisations to specific groups and issues	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)

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 a critical understanding of health inequalities in the context of social, cultural, environmental and political determinants of health
LO2. Critically analyse the application of social work theories in the context of health inequalities to diverse fields of practice
LO3. Examine the regulatory power of social work alongside a commitment to working with cultural humility
LO4. Apply and reflect on collaborative teamwork skills in health settings
LO5. Communicate complex health inequality issues using effective verbal and written skills

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 run, however the unit has been designed to incorporate student feedback on the parent-unit SCWK3006.

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.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

SCWK3012: Health and Social Inequalities

Semester 1, 2025 [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) and automated writing tools

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links