• Class Number 9728
  • Term Code 2960
  • Class Info
  • Unit Value 6 units
  • Mode of Delivery In Person
  • COURSE CONVENER
    • Dr Merryn McKinnon
  • LECTURER
    • Dr Merryn McKinnon
  • Class Dates
  • Class Start Date 22/07/2019
  • Class End Date 25/10/2019
  • Census Date 31/08/2019
  • Last Date to Enrol 29/07/2019
SELT Survey Results

This interdisciplinary course examines the ways in which societies attempt to enhance and promote health in a range of settings, while critically assessing the associated risks and barriers. This course will provide a sound theoretical understanding of dominant health promotion and protection theories and models, as they relate to contemporary health issues in Australia and internationally. This course emphasises practical application of theory in problem based learning scenarios. Students will gain a sound conceptual understanding enabling them to develop health interventions and communicate effectively with specialist and non-specialist audiences.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to
  1. Critically evaluate and apply dominant models and theories of public health promotion and health protection
  2. Evaluate and critique health promotion and health protection activities
  3. Identify, interpret. plan and create relevant information for health promotion and health protection activities for a range of non-specialist audiences

Research-Led Teaching

This course encompasses the four main aspects of research-led teaching. There is a focus on research content; the curriculum is structured around the existing body of literature in the field and the core theoretical understandings. Students are encouraged to actively critique and reflect upon the literature in their own analyses of health protection and promotion. This provides students with a sense of the research process and problems as the course examines the implementation of theory and regulations, and how the concept of ‘best practice’ has also evolved. Students are further required to engage in the research process through regular problem-based learning activities.

Required Resources

Students will require access to a computer and the internet

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:
  • Written comments
  • Verbal comments
  • Feedback to the whole class, to groups, to individuals, focus groups

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Class Schedule

Week/Session Summary of Activities Assessment
1 Introduction and familiarisation; history and philosophy of health promotion Related to assessment tasks 1, 2, 3, 4
2 Health education theories Related to assessment tasks 1, 2, 3, 4
3 Health promotion planning models Related to assessment tasks 1, 2, 3, 4
4 Effective communication Related to assessment tasks 1, 3, 4
5 Ethics in health promotion Related to assessment tasks 1, 2, 3, 4
6 Health Promotion settings and lifespan approach Related to assessment tasks 1, 2, 3
7 Interpreting and communicating risk Related to assessment tasks 1, 2, 3
8 Introduction to health protection Related to assessment tasks 1, 4
9 Case study – new ways of communicating health protection Related to assessment tasks 1
10 Public Holiday – online only – water supply Related to assessment tasks 1, 4
11 Problem based learning exercise - Global health
12 Last week of semester

Tutorial Registration

Tutorial registration is not required.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task Value Due Date Return of assessment Learning Outcomes
Online posting, reflections, quizzes 30 % 22/07/2019 25/10/2019 1, 2, 3, 4
Behaviour Change Essay 20 % 19/08/2019 02/09/2019 2, 3
Health Promotion Grant Application 30 % 08/10/2019 22/10/2019 1, 2, 3
Critical Review Paper 20 % 04/11/2019 18/11/2019 1, 2, 3

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website Students may choose not to submit assessment items through Turnitin. In this instance you will be required to submit, alongside the assessment item itself, hard copies of all references included in the assessment item.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Assessment Task 1

Value: 30 %
Due Date: 22/07/2019
Return of Assessment: 25/10/2019
Learning Outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4

Online posting, reflections, quizzes

Each week the course content will be presented online, either through directed readings, pre-recorded lectures or other means. Along with the readings, students will also be required to complete short quizzes, write reflections or brief critical analyses on specific topics or other activities as directed. Details for each specific online task is listed in the module description for that week on the Wattle course. These online activities may not be completed retrospectively without documented evidence to justify the reason for retrospective participation AND explicit approval of the lecturer or tutor. Please contact the lecturer should your circumstances hinder your online participation in the course at any time.

Quizzes will be graded automatically by the Wattle system. Reflective posts and critical reviews will be graded by the teaching team. They will be assessed using the following guidelines: • Well written, easy to read, minimal jargon • Excellent spelling, punctuation, grammar • The degree to which you have integrated course material, your own opinion and experience, and other references as appropriate to support your position in respect to the assignment question/statement. • Referencing – it is not important what referencing system you use as long as it is a recognised system that you apply correctly, consistently, and comprehensively. • Critical thinking – it is not enough to merely repeat or describe what you have read and discussed in POPH8115. The exercises in this course are designed to encourage you to think more broadly and deeply about issues in health promotion and health protection. Critical thinking about the issues is central, as is applying ideas to your own life and communities. • Clarity of argument with efficiency of word use (i.e. saying what needs to be said, without being verbose). A typical post could be anywhere between five and 15 sentences long and should demonstrate your critical thinking about, evaluation of and/or reflection on the issue. 


Students are expected to contribute on an on-going basis throughout the semester. The date range for this task comprises the start of the semester and the date final results are published on ISIS.

Assessment Task 2

Value: 20 %
Due Date: 19/08/2019
Return of Assessment: 02/09/2019
Learning Outcomes: 2, 3

Behaviour Change Essay

A range of behaviour change models and theories are presented in class materials. You are required to select a health promotion initiative (from anywhere in the world) and discuss what behaviour change model/s and/or theories are relevant to this initiative. Discuss the appropriateness of the model/s and/or theories to the issue and target audience. Word limit: 1500 words in total (leeway of 10% over limit without penalty)


Grading of the essay is based on the ANU Grading System. In particular, your work will be considered in terms of:

• Clarity and coherence of argument including support from relevant literature

• Demonstrated understanding of the subject matter

• Excellent spelling, grammar and punctuation

• Consistent and accurate referencing

Assessment Task 3

Value: 30 %
Due Date: 08/10/2019
Return of Assessment: 22/10/2019
Learning Outcomes: 1, 2, 3

Health Promotion Grant Application

Each year the ACT Government provides grants of up to $15,000 for health promotion projects of up to 12 months that support the ACT Government’s funding priorities. Your task is to develop a health promotion project and write up the grant application. For students who are interested, and dependent upon scheme deadlines, there will be the opportunity to submit suitable applications to the ACT Government scheme.


Grading of this grant application will be according to the ACT Government grant assessment criteria. The full explanation of the criteria is provided on the course Wattle site.

• Contribution to improvement in health and wellbeing

• Evidence of need

• Innovation

• Value for money

• A population health approach

• Evidence of health promotion practices and principles

• Evidence of partnerships

• Evidence of a planned approach

• Capacity to evaluate the project

Assessment Task 4

Value: 20 %
Due Date: 04/11/2019
Return of Assessment: 18/11/2019
Learning Outcomes: 1, 2, 3

Critical Review Paper

Identify and critically review a prominent health issue in the country of your choosing. The critical assessment should argue why this health issue is important to address and outline what health promotion and/or health protection activities have been used to do so. Have these activities been successful? Why or why not? What else would you recommend? You must use supporting literature/evidence to support your arguments. Word limit: 1500 words in total (leeway of 10% over limit without penalty)


Grading of the essay is based on the ANU Grading System. In particular, your work will be considered in terms of:

• Evidence of critical evaluation of the issue and its individual and societal implications

• Clarity and coherence of argument including support from relevant literature

• Demonstrated understanding of the subject matter

• Excellent spelling, grammar and punctuation

• Consistent and accurate referencing

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of our culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically. This means that all members of the community commit to honest and responsible scholarly practice and to upholding these values with respect and fairness. The Australian National University commits to embedding the values of academic integrity in our teaching and learning. We ensure that all members of our community understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with. The University has policies and procedures in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Visit the following Academic honesty & plagiarism website for more information about academic integrity and what the ANU considers academic misconduct. The ANU offers a number of services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. The Academic Skills and Learning Centre offers a number of workshops and seminars that you may find useful for your studies.

Online Submission

The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Returning Assignments

Assignments will be returned via Wattle.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

Resubmission of assignments is generally not allowed unless under extenuating circumstances and then will only be offered at the discretion of the convenor.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information. In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service — including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy. If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes. Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).
Dr Merryn McKinnon
6125 4951
merryn.mckinnon@anu.edu.au

Research Interests


Dr Merryn McKinnon

Dr Merryn McKinnon
61254951
merryn.mckinnon@anu.edu.au

Research Interests


Dr Merryn McKinnon

Responsible Officer: Registrar, Student Administration / Page Contact: Website Administrator / Frequently Asked Questions