Politics and Power in Public Health

• Topics

  • A Social Ecology of Health
  • A Political Economy of Health
  • Parliament and the Rule of Law
  • Commercial Determinants of Health
  • Markets, Labour and Externalities
  • Neoliberalism and Social Protection
  • Political Ideologies in Practice
  • Taxation and Regulation
  • Wicked Problems and Policies
  • Healthy Public Policies
  • Healthy Cities and Planet
  • Advocacy for Action

No eligibility requirements

Special requirements

No special requirements

This subject was previously known as Health Promotion Partnerships, Politics and Power.

Health promotion demands that individuals not be treated in isolation from the larger social context in which they live, work and play. This subject seeks to extend your understanding of the ways in which we can promote health through the development of healthy public policy and supportive environments. To do this effectively we need to understand the power structures and decision making contexts which shape the health of our society and those that we may need to influence to improve health status. In this subject you will explore systems, policies and legislation which impact on health and opportunities to work collaboratively across sectors to reduce health inequities. You will also critically assess political ideologies, corporate influences on health, and examine the role of advocacy in public health. This subject involves both a theoretical and practical understanding of the social determinants of health and contemporary political issues.

Please Note: If it’s your first time studying a Curtin University subject you’ll need to complete their compulsory ‘Academic Integrity Program’. It only takes two hours to complete online, and provides you with vital information about studying with Curtin University. The Academic Integrity Program is compulsory, so if it’s not completed your subject grades will be withheld.

Find out more about the Academic Integrity module.

• Assignment 1 - Critical reflection paper (30%)
• Assignment 2 - Parliamentary submission (30%)
• Assignment 3 - Journal article (40%)

Textbooks are subject to change within the academic year. Students are advised to purchase their books no earlier than one to two months before the start of a subject.