Social Foundations of Health
UndergraduateUAD-PUB2500OUA2025
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Enrol by
- 31 Aug 2025
- Entry requirements
- Part of a degree
- Duration
- 13 weeks
- Start dates
- 3 Feb 2025,
- 8 Sept 2025
- Price from
- $2,000
- Upfront cost
- $0
- Loan available
- FEE-HELP available
Social Foundations of Health
About this subject
On successful completion of this course students will be able to:
- Analyse health narratives using the sociological imagination framework.
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of the historical positioning of Indigenous people in Australian society.
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of the key social and cultural determinants affecting the health of Indigenous people in Australia.
- Apply social and cultural determinants of health frameworks to Indigenous health contexts.
- Apply and critique theoretical and practical approaches to social and behavioural change in contemporary health contexts.
- Module 1: The sociological imagination framework in public health
- An introduction to the sociological imagination framework of C Wright Mills
- Detailed consideration of the historical, cultural, and structural origins of contemporary health problems
- Application of the critical dimension of the framework to address health problems
- Reflection on the insights provided by the framework as well as its limitations
- Module 2 : The social determinants of Indigenous health
- A critical introduction to the World Health Organisation’s social determinants of health framework
- An introduction to the data on the social determinants of health in Australia for Indigenous and non-Indigenous people
- A detailed consideration of the history and the development of the social determinants of health for Indigenous people in Australia since the 1901 Commonwealth Constitution
- Detailed consideration of factors that contribute, or are barriers, to resolving the impact that the social determinants have on the health of Indigenous people today
- Module 3 : Social and behavioural change in public health
- An introduction to the key principles of social and behavioural change
- An overview of commonly utilised models of behaviour change in public health
- Consideration of contrasting modes of social change in public health, including both legislative/policy options and grassroots approaches
- The relevance and application of theories of social and behavioural change to improving health
- Reflection on the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches to social and behavioural change
This course seeks to develop an understanding of the social foundations of health and the ways in which frameworks and theories can be used to guide thought and action to improve health. The course draws out the historical, cultural, and structural dimensions of contemporary health problems using the framework of the sociological imagination. Students will explore the social determinants of Indigenous health. Finally, the course will consider social and behaviour change from both theoretical and practical perspectives. Students will develop their critical thinking and analytical skills to understand conversations around health and health outcomes.
1 Reflections 10% related to Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
2 Sociological Imagination Essay related to Learning Outcome 1
3 Health Campaign Analysis related to Learning Outcome 5
4 Indigenous Health Initiative Case Study related to Learning Outcomes 2, 3 4- Reflections (10%)
- Sociological Imagination Essay (30%)
- Health Campaign Analysis (30%)
- Indigenous Health Initiative Case Study (30%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
The University of Adelaide has a habit of breaking new ground. It was Australia’s first university to welcome female students. The first to offer science and business degrees. Its alumni include Australia’s first female prime minister; the first Australian to walk in space; 2021 Young Australian of the Year; and 2020 Australian of the Year. Adelaide’s OUA degrees will give you deep discipline knowledge, transferable, future-ready skills, and the capability to change the world for the better. With Adelaide, you can make history.
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- 8
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- 7
Entry requirements
Part of a degree
To enrol in this subject you must be accepted into one of the following degrees:
Core
- UAD-HSM-DEG-2025 - Bachelor of Health Service Management
Additional requirements
- Equipment requirements - Headphones or speakers (required to listen to lectures and other media). Headset, including microphone (highly recommended). Webcam (may be required for participation in virtual classrooms and/or presentations).
- Software requirements - It is essential for students to have reliable internet access in order to participate in and complete your units. MyUni is the University of Adelaide's online learning environment. MyUni provides access to various features including announcements, course materials, discussion boards and assessments.
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.
Related degrees
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
Bachelor of Health Service Management
UndergraduateUAD-HSM-DEG