Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2025 - HSCI 412 D100

Health Communication (3)

Health Communication

Class Number: 3320

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Mon, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    HSCI 312 and two HSCI 200-level courses, with a minimum grade of C-.

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:

The course is designed to teach Health Science students about health and risk communication theories and the tools used to create and disseminate health messaging. The course is applied in nature, providing multiple opportunities for students to design and create health communication messages in the areas of public and environmental health. Students will integrate knowledge they have acquired in other Health Sciences areas such as health promotion, environmental health, health systems and health equity.  Assignments include individual and multiple group work assignments and at least two presentations.  There are weekly readings from the textbook and research articles with a reading log requirement for each week. This course will help students develop stronger communication and team-building skills. A major theme for this term will be environmental health and climate change adaptation.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Course Objectives:  

Upon completion of the course, students will be prepared to:

  1. Describe the fields of Health Communication and Persuasion Science and how they are connected
  2. Research health communication strategies, solutions and techniques for crafting health messaging including data visualization, short videos, pod-cast and press releases.
  3. Think creatively and apply knowledge to real-life scenarios, particularly those that use community engagement to foster health communication
  4. Create communication-related solutions for community settings and design strategies that allow for testing and evaluation of these solutions.
  5. Critically reflect on health communication as creative, adaptable, and reflective processes to assist in the design of solutions that will contribute to health and well-being.

Grading

  • Reading Log 10%
  • Participation 10%
  • Quiz 25%
  • Final Project 25%
  • Weekly assignments 30%

NOTES:

Assignments are often marked out of 30, 50 or 100 and then scaled to match the proportion of the grade. I.e. The Final project can be marked out of 100 but only represents 25% of your final mark. Cumulative Scores on Canvas throughout the course are not reflective of final grades as should not be construed as such. The Quiz will take place in the classroom and will be a mix of short -answer, multiple-choice, and longer-answer questions. The Quiz draws from the weekly readings as well as course materials that include lecture slides, discussions, and other linked materials. It is strongly recommended that students keep up with their reading log to prepare for the exam.

REQUIREMENTS:

Prerequisites:  HSCI majors with 90 credits. Graduate Students require permission of the instructor.

EXPECTATIONS / IMPORTANT NOTES: The instructor may make changes to the syllabus if necessary, within Faculty / University regulations. Classes will be held in the classroom and via Zoom to accomodate guest speakers, potential instructor illness or weather-related challenges. 

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

Students may be asked to use digital devices that they own to create podcasts or short videos.

REQUIRED READING:

Required Textbooks:

Influence, Robert Cialdini -2021 version (previous volumes are not useful)- ISBN 0062937650

The Mission, the Message and the Medium- Gardy, Byers et al. (available free online)

please note the Quiz is based on the textbook and therefore having access to the required texts is necessary for this class. The instructor can not provide digital versions of "Influence" to students as it would violate copyright regulations. The second textbook is freely accessible. 

Chapters from the textbooks, along with supplementary readings, podcasts and videos, will be assigned each week.

RECOMMENDED READING:

Recommended readings, videos and podcasts will be assigned weekly

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.