Course coordinator
Dr Daniel Stjepanovic
Consultation 12:30-2pm Monday or by appointment.
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2025 (28/07/2025 - 22/11/2025)
- Study level
- Postgraduate Coursework
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Psychology School
Public health psychology encompasses the critical application of psychology at a population level. It focuses on maintenance of well-being from a perspective that considers the influence of systemic and economic factors on individual behaviour and well-being, and acknowledges the effects of gender, ethnicity, age, and other sociocultural factors on individual choice. It uses lectures and discussion to provide in-depth knowledge and ethical and social understanding of the issues.
This course aims to develop awareness of the social and psychological determinants of health, including systemic, contextual, environmental, economic, and social factors. Students are encouraged to explore, critically analyse, and develop psychological models that can explain how these macro-level factors influence physical and mental health. The course then focuses on the practical implications of such models, with workshops exploring psychological perspectives and interventions on a variety of health challenges in terms of health promotion, prevention, and treatment strategies.ﾠ
Course requirements
Restrictions
MPsych or MCouns or MSocWk or MOrgPsych or permission of Master of Psychology Program Director
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Aims and outcomes
The course aims to provide an in-depth knowledge and ethical and social understanding of public health psychology issues.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Possess an in-depth understanding of the field of public health psychology, the principles, and some current issues.
LO2.
Approach and assess psychological and health-related issues from a critical perspective.
LO3.
Understand the role of systemic, economic, and sociocultural factors such as age, gender, and ethnicity, on individual choice and behaviour, and the implications for public health.
LO4.
Understand and discuss population-level health inequities within the context of political, institutional, economic, and other sociocultural factors.
LO5.
Understand the principles and application of public health psychology to promote health, and address population-level health inequities and issues.
LO6.
Possess research and written skills to work in the area of health promotion, health-related research, and health policy formation.
LO7.
Understand the impact of historical, cultural, and social determinants on the health of First Nations Australians and the importance of cultural responsiveness in public health.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participation/ Student contribution | Active Engagement in Workshops | 10% |
4/08/2025 - 27/10/2025 |
| Presentation |
Resource handout and presentation
|
40% |
1/09/2025 - 8/09/2025
Presentations will be in Weeks 6 or 7 and the topic and date for each presentation determined in Week 2. |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation | Health intervention submission to government | 40% |
31/10/2025 5:00 pm |
| Reflection | Cultural responsiveness Reflection | 10% |
31/10/2025 5:00 pm |
Assessment details
Active Engagement in Workshops
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Participation/ Student contribution
- Weight
- 10%
- Due date
4/08/2025 - 27/10/2025
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L07
Task description
Participation in workshop discussion is an important part of the course. Your participation in workshops will be allocated a proportion of your final mark. Students are encouraged to contribute to class discussions and activities. Each week includes a number of readings, which are provided to expand your knowledge of the subject area.
Each week, there will be a discussion based on an activity delivered in the workshop or assigned for homework post workshop. Every student will be given the opportunity to lead one discussion by expanding upon the material. This could be done by, for example, introducing additional material, presenting on their work they completed, or providing critical discussion points.
Submission guidelines
Assessed in class. If you miss a workshop please contact the Course Coordinator as soon as possible (preferably before the workshop) and provide your Course Coordinator with supporting documentation to support your absence.
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
If you miss a workshop please contact the Course Coordinator as soon as possible (preferably before the workshop) and provide your Course Coordinator with supporting documentation to support your absence. In this case, alternative activities can be provided so you can actively participate in the workshop content.
Resource handout and presentation
- In-person
- Mode
- Oral, Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia
- Category
- Presentation
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
1/09/2025 - 8/09/2025
Presentations will be in Weeks 6 or 7 and the topic and date for each presentation determined in Week 2.
- Other conditions
- Secure.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06
Task description
Students will prepare a handout and presentation on one of the days in this period. This assessment task is designed to assist students in developing skills in providing education to clients as part of a health psychology treatment plan. Students are asked to choose a topic from the health topics covered during the course or one of the subject areas in the list below.
This assessment is divided into two components:
1. Resource handout or Tip Sheet: This involves compiling information or tip sheet suitable for providing to a client with a health-related concern. This sheet should be no longer than two A4 pages. This section should be easy to read and understand by a large cross-section of clients.
2. Presentation: You will give a presentation of your handout or tip sheet and of the selected key issue to peers in class. The presentation should include the evidence-based resource handout for clients. The presentation should be 20 minutes in length, with 5 minutes for question time (total 25 minutes).
You will need to submit a copy of the handout or tip sheet and presentation slides through Turnitin. Both are to be submitted within 24 hours of your presentation. The topic and date for each presentation will be determined by Week 4.
Suggested Topics:
- Giving up smoking
- Losing weight for healthy lifestyle
- Increasing exercise for healthy lifestyle
- Understanding gender identity issues
- Good mental health for teens
- Managing stress
- Alcohol and other drug issues
- Managing chronic illness
- Toxic stress – the effect on a child’s development
- Managing stress and anxiety in the face of uncertainty (e.g., dealing with Covid-19)
- Topics relating to any of the other workshops, approved by the course coordinator by Week 4
Submission guidelines
Presentation to be delivered in class. Submit presentation slides and Handout material within 24 hours of presentation via Turnitin in blackboard. Please keep a copy of your submission receipt.
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
If you are unable to complete your presentation on your specified date, you should submit your appropriate documentation (as per the extension policy) and contact the course coordinator to arrange for an alternate time to complete your presentation.
Please refer to the policy and guidelines (6.1 of this course profile) for further information as well as the following link on my.UQ for extension eligibility https://my.uq.edu.au/information-and-services/manage-my-program/exams-and-assessment/applying-extension.
Late submission
A penalty of 1 grade for each 24 hour period from time submission is due will apply for up to 7 days. After 7 days you will receive a mark of 0.
The presentation and handout will drop by one number grade per day.
Health intervention submission to government
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
31/10/2025 5:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06
Task description
The Australian Government has announced funding for a Preventative and Public Health Research initiative, designed to support innovative approaches to preventive and public health issues. It will fund targeted approaches into new ways to address risk factors for chronic and complex health issues and will support projects that develop, implement and/or evaluate new co-designed and scalable lifestyle interventions to reduce the risk of chronic conditions in adults from Priority Populations. As many health problems are complex and multifaceted in nature, you can are to focus on just one health issue. For example, increasing health service access for individuals in CALD communities, or addressing social isolation in older adults.
This application should be prepared into the format of a report to a committee of health policy experts and a template will be provided on Blackboard. You recognise that the government may not clearly see the relevance of health psychology to this issue, and so you will need to make this clear to ensure your submission is competitive.
Marking criteria will also be provided on Blackboard.
Submission guidelines
Submit via Turnitin in blackboard. Please keep a copy of your submission receipt.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 14 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
For full details please review the School of Psychology Student Guidelines - Extensions and Deferred quiz/exam.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Cultural responsiveness Reflection
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Reflection
- Weight
- 10%
- Due date
31/10/2025 5:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07
Task description
Being culturally responsive in public health psychology for First Nations Australians is crucial to ensure that interventions are respectful, relevant, and effective, addressing the unique cultural contexts and health needs of these communities. This approach helps build trust and enhances the effectiveness of health services by acknowledging and integrating Indigenous knowledge, traditions, and perspectives.Part of being a culturally responsive professional requires you to engage with critical self-reflexivity skills to analyse your own cultural values and privileges when working with First Nations Australian communities.
This task aims to deepen your understanding of the importance of cultural responsiveness in public health psychology, particularly in relation to First Nations Australians. You will reflect on how cultural factors influence health outcomes and the provision of health services, and propose strategies for culturally sensitive practice.
Assessment details are provided in class and on Blackboard, including length, format, and marking criteria.
Submission guidelines
Submit via Turnitin in blackboard. Please keep a copy of your submission receipt.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 14 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
For full details please review the School of Psychology Student Guidelines - Extensions and Deferred quiz/exam.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 29.99 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 2 (Fail) | 30 - 46.99 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 47 - 49.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
Collaboration on assignments.ﾠ Discussion of the handout/ presentation and report with fellow students and colleagues is acceptable, but the handout/ presentation and report must be your own individual work, in accordance with School policy. All assessment items are to be individually written or produced for this course only, and sources should be fully acknowledged.
ﾠPlagiarism (copying someone else’s work) and collusion (two people presenting the same material which they have written together, without clear acknowledgement of the contributions of each) are serious academic offences. If in doubt, ask me whether you are overstepping the mark.ﾠ
For further information on collusion and plagiarism, see the my.UQﾠweb site https://my.uq.edu.au/information-and-services/manage-my-program/student-integrity-and-conduct/academic-integrity-and-student-conduct?page=2988
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 (28 Jul - 03 Aug) |
Workshop |
Workshop 1: What is Public Health Psychology? Definitions, concepts, burden of disease and methodology Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 2 (04 Aug - 10 Aug) |
Workshop |
Workshop 2: Introduction to theories and approaches to intervention Psychological theories of health and behaviour change Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 3 (11 Aug - 17 Aug) |
Workshop |
Workshop 3: Social determinants of health and Public health psychology frameworks Social determinants of health, psychological frameworks, and how to develop interventions Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L07 |
Week 4 (18 Aug - 24 Aug) |
Workshop |
Workshop 4: Topic in public health psychology Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 5 (25 Aug - 31 Aug) |
Workshop |
Workshop 5: Topic in public health psychology Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Multiple weeks From Week 6 To Week 7 |
Workshop |
Presentations Student presentations Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07 |
Week 8 (15 Sep - 21 Sep) |
Workshop |
Workshop 6: Topic in public health psychology Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 9 (22 Sep - 28 Sep) |
Workshop |
Workshop 7: Topic in public health psychology Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 11 (13 Oct - 19 Oct) |
Workshop |
Workshop 8: Topic in public health psychology Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 12 (20 Oct - 26 Oct) |
Workshop |
Workshop 9: Topic in public health psychology Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 13 (27 Oct - 02 Nov) |
Workshop |
Workshop 10: Topic in public health psychology Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.
You'll also need to be aware of the following policies and procedures while completing this course:
- Fitness to Practise
School guidelines
Your school has additional guidelines you'll need to follow for this course: