Overview

This unit introduces students to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander concepts and contexts that influence health and wellbeing. Students will gain an understanding of the diversity of determinants as they relate to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Indigenous global populations. Students will explore policy, data and approaches to work effectively across cultural groups. There will be a focus on the history of Aboriginal Victorian health and wellbeing to understand strength-based/community approaches.

Requisites

Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
29-July-2024
27-October-2024
Last self-enrolment date
11-August-2024
Census date
31-August-2024
Last withdraw without fail date
13-September-2024
Results released date
03-December-2024
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
03-March-2025
01-June-2025
Last self-enrolment date
16-March-2025
Census date
31-March-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
24-April-2025
Results released date
08-July-2025
Semester 1
Location
Wantirna
Start and end dates
03-March-2025
01-June-2025
Last self-enrolment date
16-March-2025
Census date
31-March-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
24-April-2025
Results released date
08-July-2025
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
04-August-2025
02-November-2025
Last self-enrolment date
17-August-2025
Census date
31-August-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
19-September-2025
Results released date
09-December-2025

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  • Discover the social and cultural diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population in the context of health and wellbeing
  • Explain Indigenous concepts of health and wellbeing
  • Examine the cultural, political and historical determinants of Indigenous health from the Victorian and global context
  • Critically appraise Indigenous health policies at a National and Global scale
  • Incorporate and critically analyse data specific to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
Online
Lecture
2.00 12 weeks 24
On-campus
Class
1.00 12 weeks 12
Specified Activities
Various
3.00 12 weeks 36
Unspecified Activities
Independent Learning
6.50 12 weeks 78
TOTAL150

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
Essay 1Individual 40% 1,2,3,5 
Essay 2Individual 40% 4,5 
In-Class PresentationGroup 20% 1,2,3,5 

Content

  • Models of Indigenous health and wellbeing relevant to different stakeholders
  • Impact of the social and cultural diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities on health and wellbeing (with a focus on Victorian Indigenous populations)
  • Epidemiological data on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing 
  • Determinants of Indigenous health and wellbeing 
  • Local, state, national and international policies related to Indigenous health
  • Strength-based approaches of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander programs (e.g. community-controlled, self-determinants and empowerment)
  • Peer and team-based health promotion interventions focused on Indigenous health, including interprofessional roles and collaboration

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.