Course Title: Young People and Health

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Young People and Health

Credit Points: 12

Course Code	Campus	Career	School	Learning Mode	Teaching Period(s)
HWSS2095	City Campus	Undergraduate	365H Global, Urban and Social Studies	Face-to-Face	Sem 2 2007, Sem 2 2008, Sem 1 2010, Sem 1 2011, Sem 1 2012, Sem 2 2014, Sem 2 2016

Course Coordinator: Kerry Montero

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 99253650

Course Coordinator Email: kerry.montero@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 48.4

Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None

Course Description

Workers with young people – whether youth workers, social workers, teachers, community workers – have an important part to play in the promotion of good health in young people.
This course aims to provide students with an introduction to key features of young people’s health in Australia, and to equip them with knowledge and resources to promote positive health outcomes for the young people with whom they work.
This unit examines the complex and multi-layered factors that can impact on the physical, social and mental health status of young people, and proceeds from an understanding that ‘health’ cannot be separated from a young person’s social, economic and cultural background and circumstances.
Consideration will be given to biological/developmental factors, medical issues, sexuality related issues, mental health and characteristics of adolescent lifestyle and behaviour, such as experimentation and risk-taking, which may compromise a young person’s health status. Youth workers and agencies dealing with youth health issues need to recognise the complex integrated health needs of young people by offering not only basic health care but also a holistic response including counselling, referral, support, health education, community development approaches and practical assistance.

Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

After successfully completing the subject the student will:
. Understand the health issues and needs of young people within a social
health model
. Possess knowledge, skills and a framework for working with young
people within a youth work context
. Understand the health service requirements of young people and work
with health professionals to address young people’s health needs.
. Locate, develop and appropriately employ a range of health resources
for working with young people.

Overview of Learning Activities

Students will participate in lectures, class and group activities, presentations by and discussions with visiting practitioners. Visits to health agencies will also be included in the program.
In order to facilitate lively and productive exploration of the topics and issues students will be expected to have read designated material prior to seminars.

Overview of Learning Resources

Students will need to access to prescribed and recommended texts and information technology (computers, data bases).

Overview of Assessment

Assessment tasks are directly linked to the stated objectives and graduates capabilities. Assessment tasks will include class based activities, and written reports, essays, folios, oral reports, and annotated visual reports.