Politics and Power in Public Health
PostgraduateCUR-MPH5152020
Course information for 2020 intake
Assess how politics and power influence health outcomes, and find ways to reduce health inequality and support equity.Develop public policy that inspires change and sways public opinion. Apply advocacy strategies to promote public health’s profile.
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- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- Part of a degree
- Duration
- 14 weeks
- Loan available
- FEE-HELP available
Politics and Power in Public Health
About this subject
At the completion of this subject students will be able to:
- apply foundational concepts of public health to critique Australian social and public health policy
- formulate and construct logical arguments about political phenomena to improve public health
- apply public health principles to advocacy strategies and techniques.
- 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
This subject was previously known as Health Promotion Partnerships, Politics and Power.
The new public health 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 political ideologies which impact on health and opportunities to work collaboratively across sectors to reduce health inequities. You will also critically assess corporate influences on health and examine the role of civil society and 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.
- Critical reflection paper (45%)
- Parliamentary submission (25%)
- Journal article (30%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
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Entry requirements
To enrol in this subject, you must be admitted into a degree.
Additional requirements
No additional requirements
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.