Introduction to Health Communication
MET CM 781
Overview: Health Communication is an emerging field in which professional communicators and health providers inform, influence and motivate individual, institutional, governmental and public audiences about important health issues. This course examines and bridges the theory and practice of interpersonal, organizational, mass communication, and new media relevant to the professional communicator and health practitioner alike. It reviews strategies of persuasion, the relationship between attitudes and health behavior through the lifespan, the changing nature of health and health delivery from local to global arenas, and evaluates successful and unsuccessful health information campaigns in both traditional health care approaches as well as in an evolving health care marketplace. (4 cr.)
Course Benefits:
In keeping with this dynamically emerging field by which the public is informed and influenced, this course:
Utilizes all aspects of both traditional and developing models of Health Communication;
Explores contemporary and cross-cultural public interests, as well as the changing nature of health care delivery;
Takes a practical and multimedia approach to understanding the health care consumer and the attitudes, behaviors, relationships, and policies impacted by Health Communication;
Examines the communication process, media and advertising, research of current trends, and the tools and strategies needed to perform as an effective and ethical health communicator and provider in today’s dynamic health care environment;
Uses an interdisciplinary communications approach toward health promotion and the prevention of illness and disease across the lifespan in a variety of health care settings;
Encourages students to create and participate in interactive case studies, virtual team meetings and field projects to better comprehend, compare, and contrast Health Communication campaigns through virtual classroom and community experiences.
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