Program Overview

Unit Overview

The unit EXSC314 - Healthy Relationships for Young People aims to provide students with opportunities to examine issues about gender, power, sexual orientation, communication, rights and responsibilities, domestic/dating violence, child abuse, pornography, and other controversial and sensitive topics and how they can impact on one's wellbeing and relationships.

Unit Rationale, Description, and Aim

Professionals working with adolescents require contemporary knowledge, strategies, and skills to reflect on and engage with the unit's content. The unit focuses on examining processes for increasing supportive environments, community capacity, and empowerment, while providing students with an appreciation of social justice, an understanding of equity, and a respect for the human being.

Campus Offering

The unit is offered at the Strathfield campus in Semester 1, with a multi-mode study option.

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites for this unit.

Learning Outcomes

To successfully complete this unit, students will be able to:

1. Critically reflect and analyze the range of sexual perspectives, priorities, and recommendations related to adolescent sexual health and relationships.
2. Plan and develop creative and engaging teaching and learning activities in the area of adolescent sexual health and relationships for future practice.
3. Communicate and reflect upon the effectiveness of teaching and learning experiences that facilitate knowledge, positive behaviors, and attitudes in the area of adolescent sexual health and relationships.
4. Analyse and evaluate adolescent sexual health and relationships teaching activities and resources that facilitate learning.

Content

Topics will include:

• Introduction and perspectives on sexuality
• Sexuality and sex education
• Biological perspectives
• Social-cultural perspective
• Behavioural perspectives
• Healthy Sexual Choices
• Healthy relationships
• Gender and Power
• Maximising Choice, Minimising Risk
• Teaching strategies and pedagogy

Assessment Strategy and Rationale

The unit employs authentic assessment strategies, including:

1. Reflective writing
2. Constructivism strategy: Resource File
3. Collaborative learning: Team teaching presentation
4. Self-assessment and peer assessment
5. Examination

Overview of Assessments

• Assessment 1: Teaching Resource File (30%)
• Assessment 2: Team Teaching Presentation (40%)
• Assessment 3: Written examination (30%)

Learning and Teaching Strategy and Rationale

The unit employs student-centered teaching and learning strategies based on the principles of constructivism and reflective practice. These strategies encourage independent and lifelong learning, where students take responsibility for their learning.

Representative Texts and References

• NSW Kids and Families. Youth Health Resource Kit: An Essential Guide for Workers (2014)
• Russell, D, Bradford, D & Fairley, C. (2011). Sexual Health Medicine.
• School of Sexuality Education. (2021). Sex Ed: AN Inclusive Teenage Guide to Sex and Relationships.
• Temple-Smith, M. & Gifford, S. (2020). Sexual health: A Multidisciplinary Approach.
• Victoria State Government (2021) Building Respectful Relationships. Stepping out against gender-based violence.

Locations

The unit is available at the Strathfield campus.

Credit Points

The unit is worth 10 credit points.

Year

The unit information is current for the year 2026.