Spring 2018 - HSCI 412 D100
Health Communication (3)
Class Number: 11335
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
Jan 3 – Apr 10, 2018: Thu, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby
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Instructor:
Susan Baxter
sbaxter@sfu.ca
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Prerequisites:
HSCI 312 and two HSCI 200-level courses.
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
Theory and strategies for health communication in health systems and in particular cultural contexts. Interpersonal communication in health care, the relationship between belief and the construction of clinical realities, and communication for promoting public health. Social marketing and other strategies for health promotion targeting communities and persons of diverse cultural backgrounds. Communication about environmental and health risks. Students with credit for HSCI 301 may not take this course for further credit.
COURSE DETAILS:
This course provides an interdisciplinary overview of the myriad factors involved in and inherent to health communications: psychology, language, culture, society, history, and money (economics/commerce). We will pay particular attention to the specifics of risk communication, from Peter Sandman’s “components of outrage” to how different stakeholders and audiences perceive and understand risk; knowledge translation; and effective use of statistics, figures and data (and how these can be misleading or inaccurate). We will also cover social marketing and behavioral economics. Ideally, students will be able to draw on their own background, experience and academic knowledge along with class content to evaluate and critique existing health information, public health campaigns and environmental health issues.
COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:
This course will help you understand the complexity of communication and how it shapes our understanding of health (and life). Students will learn how our perceptions, biases and understanding of health are shaped by (and, in turn, influence) health and/or medical communication. In deconstructing health communication we will examine concepts ranging from the personal to the societal and intercultural as well as delve into the history of how such concepts developed. At the end of the course you will be able to:
- describe key concepts and theories about the communication of health risks (as well as how we determine those risks in the first place;
- demonstrate understanding of health literacy/numeracy and their relevance to health and health communication;
- criticially assess various approaches to health communication and their appropriateness in various situations;
- understand the importance of risk perception;
- demonstrate ability to develop and discuss health communication materials.
Grading
- Assignments (2) 10% each 20%
- Quizzes on reading (2) 15% each 30%
- Journal (5 entries, not marked) 5%
- Attendance and participation 10%
- Health Communication project & 15%
- Paper (on project or other topic) 20%
NOTES:
Over the course of the semester, with consultation with students, slight changes may be made to course requirements and content. Additional reading material may be changed as course unfolds. These will be announced in class and posted on Canvas.
Materials
REQUIRED READING:
Health Communication: From Theory to Practice by Renata Schiavo 2013); available as e-book through SFU Library
Selected readings available through SFU Library and on Canvas.
RECOMMENDED READING:
Nudge Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth and Happiness by Richard H. Thaler and Cass R. Sunstein (Penguin, 2009)
Registrar Notes:
SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://students.sfu.ca/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.
Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS