Overview
This unit offers a broad overview of Indigenous Australian health. It begins by examining Indigenous Australian identity and the health status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples prior to colonisation. This is contrasted with the impacts on Indigenous Australian identity from earlier indifferent practices of governance, to formal government policies of protectionism/segregation, assimilation and self-determination and their profound effects on the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The unit then overviews Indigenous Australian health in the current context, exploring Aboriginal community-controlled health services, Torres Strait Islander health services, primary health care services, differences between Indigenous Australian men's and women's health, health promotion and research, and Indigenous Australian models of health care.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
There are no requisites for this unit.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 1 - 2025
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Non-award unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Unit Coordinator
Need to review and update the weekly content and ensure that the assessment reflects required learning outcomes.
Review and update the weekly content and assessment items.
Feedback from Student
Positive feedback about regular contact with students.
Continue to maintain regular contact with students.
- Evaluate the health status of Indigenous Australians prior to European colonisation
- Analyse the historical and contemporary impacts of government policies upon the health of Indigenous Australians
- Explain differences between various health care services available to Indigenous Australians
- Identify Indigenous models of health care and promotion in Australia.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 40% | ||||
| 2 - Written Assessment - 40% | ||||
| 3 - Online Quiz(zes) - 20% | ||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Self Management | ||||
| 2 - Communication | ||||
| 3 - Information Literacy | ||||
| 4 - Information Technology Competence | ||||
| 5 - Problem Solving | ||||
| 6 - Critical Thinking | ||||
| 7 - Cross-Cultural Competence | ||||
| 8 - Ethical Practice | ||||
| 9 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | ||||
| 10 - First Nations Knowledges | ||||
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
l.armstrong@cqu.edu.au
Week 1
Begin Date: 10 Mar 2025Module/Topic
Introduction
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 2
Begin Date: 17 Mar 2025Module/Topic
Health Before Colonisation
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 3
Begin Date: 24 Mar 2025Module/Topic
Health Impacted by Colonisation
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 4
Begin Date: 31 Mar 2025Module/Topic
Ongoing Health Impacts of Colonisation
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 5
Begin Date: 07 Apr 2025Module/Topic
Social Determinants of Health
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Break Week
Begin Date: 14 Apr 2025Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 6
Begin Date: 21 Apr 2025Module/Topic
Cultural Determinants of Health
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 7
Begin Date: 28 Apr 2025Module/Topic
Health of First Nations Children and Adolescents
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Complete Quiz 1
Week 8
Begin Date: 05 May 2025Module/Topic
Health of First Nations Adults and Older People
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 9
Begin Date: 12 May 2025Module/Topic
Culturally Safe Healthcare
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Complete Quiz 2
Week 10
Begin Date: 19 May 2025Module/Topic
First Nations Health Professionals
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 11
Begin Date: 26 May 2025Module/Topic
Future Directions: Medical Research and First Nations Australians
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 12
Begin Date: 02 Jun 2025Module/Topic
Unit Review
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Academic Essay Due: Week 12 Friday (6 June 2025) 11:55 pm AEST
Online Quiz(zes) Due: Week 12 Friday (6 June 2025) 11:55 pm AEST
Unit Coordinator: Laurie Armstrong
Email: l.armstrong@cqu.edu.au
Telephone: 07 4930 9251
Mobile: 0418 791 373
1 Written Assessment
Choose one topic from the list below or negotiate an alternative topic with your Unit Coordinator, and write a 1000-1200 word academic essay.
In your response, present balanced coverage of the arguments in relation to the topic. No matter how passionate you may be about your topic, remember that you must write objectively and without emotion. You will need to research widely and reference accurately. You should include at least 4-6 sources in your reference list, but more is always better. You are required to use the Harvard Style of referencing.
1. Discuss the health and health related practices of Australian Aboriginal people prior to the arrival of non-Indigenous people into Australia.
2. Discuss the historical impacts of colonisation on the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
3. Discuss the ongoing health effects of colonisation on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.
4. Analyse intergenerational trauma and how government policies and practices like the removal of children have contributed to it.
Remember that this is an academic essay and so should be properly presented with, an introduction, the body of the essay (or the main discussion), a conclusion, and a reference list. Use 1.5 or double line spacing and a clear font such as Times New Roman 12 or Arial 11 and include page numbering.
Week 5 Friday (11 Apr 2025) 11:55 pm AEST
Week 6 Thursday (24 Apr 2025)
Academic Content
- Understanding of the unit material relevant to the assessment task
- Evidence of research
- Demonstration of task comprehension
- Relevance to the topic
Writing Skills
- Logical organisation of ideas and arguments
- Accuracy and fairness in representing the views discussed
- Clarity of expression, avoidance of grammatical errors, correct use of words
- Demonstration of appropriate essay structure
- Adherence to word length requirements
Referencing Skills
- Use of authoritative academic sources
- Acknowledgement of sources through correct in-text referencing and corresponding accurate reference list
- Use of Harvard style of referencing
- Evaluate the health status of Indigenous Australians prior to European colonisation
- Analyse the historical and contemporary impacts of government policies upon the health of Indigenous Australians
2 Written Assessment
Choose one topic from the list below or negotiate an alternative topic with your Unit Coordinator and write a 1000 - 1200 word academic essay.
1. Explain the important role that Indigenous Liaison Officers and Indigenous Health Care Workers have in caring for First Nations peoples, both independently and as part of a medical team.
2. Discuss racism in health care services and its impact on Indigenous Australians' health.
3. Analyse the importance of First Nations health professionals.
4. Choose a specific issue that impacts upon the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and demonstrate your understanding of this issue. Ensure you seek approval for your choice of topic from your Unit Coordinator.
As before, you will need to research widely and reference accurately. You should include at least 4-6 sources in your reference list, but more is always better. You are required to use the Harvard Style of referencing.
Remember that this is an academic essay and so should be properly presented with an introduction, the body of the essay (or the main discussion), a conclusion, and a reference list. Use 1.5 or double line spacing and a clear font such as Times New Roman 12 or Arial 11 and include page numbering.
Week 12 Friday (6 June 2025) 11:55 pm AEST
Exam Week Friday (20 June 2025)
21 February 2025
Academic Content
- Understanding of the unit material relevant to the assessment task
- Evidence of research
- Relevance to the topic
Writing Skills
- Logical organisation of ideas and arguments
- Accuracy and fairness in representing the views discussed
- Clarity of expression, avoidance of grammatical errors, correct use of words
- Demonstration of appropriate essay structure
- Adherence to word length requirements
Referencing Skills
- Use of authoritative academic sources
- Acknowledgment of sources through correct in-text referencing and corresponding accurate reference list
- Use of Harvard Style referencing.
- Explain differences between various health care services available to Indigenous Australians
- Identify Indigenous models of health care and promotion in Australia.
3 Online Quiz(zes)
This assessment consists of two quizzes that are available on the Moodle unit site. Although the two quizzes are due on Friday of Week 12, we encourage you to complete each quiz in the weeks they are scheduled: Weeks 7 and 9. Each quiz will test your knowledge of the unit material for the previous two weeks and consist of ten (10) questions. Each quiz will be worth 10% of the total grade for the unit and the complete assessment of two quizzes will be worth 20% of the total grade for this unit. Although a mark will be available to you after the completion of each quiz, the final grade will not be shown until the end of the term.
Points to note:
- You will be allowed two attempts at each quiz.
- There will be no time limit on quizzes.
- The attempt with the highest grade will be accepted for assessment.
- You are encouraged to refer to the unit materials in order to obtain as many correct answers as possible.
- If you have technical problems with the quiz, please contact the unit coordinator or TASAC as soon as possible.
2
Other
Week 12 Friday (6 June 2025) 11:55 pm AEST
The quiz is set up so that you will know your score for each quiz as soon as you have finished it.
You are marked according to the number of correct responses for each quiz.
- Evaluate the health status of Indigenous Australians prior to European colonisation
- Analyse the historical and contemporary impacts of government policies upon the health of Indigenous Australians
- Explain differences between various health care services available to Indigenous Australians
- Identify Indigenous models of health care and promotion in Australia.
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
