92922 The Meaning of Birth
Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular semester, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.
UTS: HealthCredit points: 6 cp
Subject level:
Undergraduate and Postgraduate
Result type: Grade and marksThere are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Handbook description
This subject exposes students to sociopolitical discourses that inform the experience of childbirth for women and their families, and the role of the midwife in that experience. Examining popular culture helps to stimulate students to consider and debate relevant psychosocial and political issues. Students engage in an ongoing process of questioning their own attitudes, values and feelings. Elements of research, self-reflection (as a student and as a future midwife) and woman-centred approaches assist students to prepare for what it means to be a midwife. In order to have a fuller understanding of the meaning of birth, theories of grief and loss are also explored.
Subject objectives/outcomes
Successful completion of this subject will enable you to:
- Describe how sociological perspectives inform the social construction of childbirth, motherhood, the family and the midwife.(ANMC 7.1, 12.2)
- Appraise the use of popular culture to understand the construction of childbirth. (ANMC 12.1, 12.2)
- Analyse women’s stories to identify their individual needs and experiences during their childbirth journey.(ANMC 4.3, 6.1)
- Identify the ethical issues in relation to working with woman and their families. (ANMC 1.1, 11.1)
- Evaluate, and reflect on, the role of the midwife with particular awareness of issues related to cultural diversity and difference.(ANMC 10.1, 12.1)
- Critique the role of the midwife in the political agenda in Australia and internationally.(ANMC 12.2)
- Explore the meaning of birth in circumstances of perinatal loss and grief.(ANMC 6.1, 7.2)
Assessment
Assessment Item 1: Interview, thematic analysis, and identification of issues for women
Objective(s): | 1, 3 and 4 |
Weighting: | 60 |
Length: | 2,000 Words |
Criteria: | 1. The woman’s story /experience (no more than 300-400 words) (5)
2. Analysis (variable) (10)
Emergence of themes is evident by the analysis 3. Summary of the issues (~1000 words) (20)
4. Ethical issues (~500 words) (10)
Interview techniques
5. Overall presentation (5)
Structure and style
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Assessment Item 2: Popular culture: Power Point Presentation
Objective(s): | 3 and 5 |
Weighting: | 40 |
Criteria: | Synopsis (500 words) (10)
Presentation (30)
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Assessment Item 3: Reflection on your meaning of birth
Objective(s): | 1, 3 and 5 |
Weighting: | 0 |
Length: | 500 words |
Criteria: | Identifies own attitudes and understandings about the meaning of birth and discusses whether these have changed or developed through participation in this subject. Submits written piece of work that is:
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Recommended texts
Kirkham, M. 2000, The midwife -mother relationship, Macmillan, London.
Mander, R. 2006, Loss and bereavement in childbearing, 2nd edn, Routledge, London.
Page, L.A. & McCandlish, R. 2006, The New Midwifery: Science and Sensitivity in Practice, 2nd ed, Books for Midwives, Oxford.
Pairman, S., Pincombe, J., Thorogood, C. & Tracy, S. 2006, Midwifery: preparation for practice, Churchill Livingstone, Sydney.
Squire, C. 2009, The social context of birth, 2nd edn, Radcliff Medical Press Ltd, Oxon.
Other resources
UTS Student Centres
Building 10
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 9am - 5pm
Wednesday: 11am - 5pm
Tel: (02) 9514 4911
Kuring-gai
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 9am - 4:30pm
Wednesday: 11am - 4:30pm
Tel: (02) 9514 5021
For other resources/information refer to the Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery & Health website (www.nmh.uts.edu.au/students/current/index.html) or UTSOnline at: https://online.uts.edu.au/webapps/login/
Improve your academic and English language skills
Marks for all assessment tasks such as assignments and examinations are given not only for what you write but also for how you write. If you would like the opportunity to improve your academic and English language skills, make an appointment with the HELPS (Higher Education Language & Presentation Support) Service in Student Services.
HELPS (Higher Education Language & Presentation Support)
HELPS provides assistance with English language proficiency and academic language. Students who need to develop their written and/or spoken English should make use of the free services offered by HELPS, including academic language workshops, vacation intensive courses, drop-in consultations, individual appointments and Conversations@UTS (www.ssu.uts.edu.au/helps). HELPS is located in Student Services, on level 3 building 1 at City Campus and via the Student Services area at Kuring-gai. Phone 9514-2327 or 9514-2361
Please see www.UTS.edu.au for additional information on other resources provided to students by UTS.
