Social Foundations of Health (UoA)

Undergraduate | 2026

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Mode
Mode
Your study will be 100% online
100% online
area/catalogue icon
Area/Catalogue
PUBH 2019
Course ID icon
Course ID
204691
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Campus
Online
Level of study
Level of study
Undergraduate
Unit value icon
Unit value
6
Course owner
Course owner
School of Public Health
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Course level
2
Work Integrated Learning course
Work Integrated Learning course
No
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Inbound study abroad and exchange
Inbound study abroad and exchange
The fee you pay will depend on the number and type of courses you study.
No
University-wide elective icon
University-wide elective course
No
Single course enrollment
Single course enrolment
No

Course overview

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.

Course learning outcomes

  • Describe the sociological imagination framework and explain how it is relevant to contemporary health problems
  • Analyse health problems using the sociological imagination framework
  • Critically appraise the strengths and limitations of the framework to guide initiatives to improve health
  • Demonstrate a critical understanding of the WHO social determinants of health framework
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the historical positioning of Indigenous people in Australian society
  • Identify the key social determinants affecting the health of Indigenous people in Australia
  • Reflect on the insights provided by the WHO framework as well as its possible limitations
  • Describe the major approaches to social and behavioural change
  • Apply social and behavioural change theories to contemporary health issues
  • Critique theoretical and practical approaches to social and behavioural change

Availability

Census date Icon
Census date
Fri 22/05/2026
Enrol by date
Enrol by date
Fri 01/05/2026
Last day to W
Last day to W
Mon 08/06/2026
Last day to WF
Last day to WF
Mon 22/06/2026

Class details

Online

Class number
Class number 36035
Section
Section 01OL
Size
Size 500
Available
Available 500
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
- Online ,

Prerequisite(s)

N/A

Corequisite(s)

N/A

Antirequisite(s)

  • must not have completed PUBHLTH2500OUA Social Foundations of Health at the University of Adelaide

Fee calculator

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Study Abroad student tuition fees are available here.

Only some Postgraduate Coursework programs are available as Commonwealth Supported. Please check your program for specific fee information.

The Student Contribution amount displayed below is for students commencing a new program from 2021 onwards. If you are continuing in a program you commenced prior to 1 January 2021, or are commencing an Honours degree relating to an undergraduate degree you commenced prior to 1 January 2021, you may be charged a different Student Contribution amount from the amount displayed below. Please check the Student Contribution bands for continuing students here. If you are an international student, or a domestic student studying in a full fee paying place, and are continuing study that you commenced in 2025 or earlier, your fees will be available here before enrolments open for 2026.

Degree list
The following degrees include this course