HSH208 - Health Communication

Unit details

Year:

2024 unit information

Enrolment modes:Trimester 1: Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Online
Credit point(s):1
EFTSL value:0.125
Unit Chair:Trimester 1: Emily Denniss
Prerequisite:

Nil

Corequisite:Nil
Incompatible with: Nil
Typical study commitment:

Students will on average spend 150 hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit.

This will include educator guided online learning activities within the unit site.

Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - on-campus unit enrolment:

1 x 1 hour online lecture per week
1 x 2 hour on-campus seminar per week

Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - online unit enrolment:

1 x 1 hour online lecture per week
1 x 2 hour online seminar per week

Content

This unit examines theoretical and practical aspects of health communication and marketing such as audience segmentation, message development and delivery, approaches to mass media, development of visual and written materials, use of shock tactics. Students will critically examine controversial and sensitive campaigns, as well as 'health promotion disasters'. Students will explore social media as a vehicle for designing and implementing campaigns, presentations and messages. Topics include: functional and strategic communication skills and strategies; communication and behaviour change theories; understanding and working with the media; developing media releases; social media and health; social marketing; conducting controversial or sensitive campaigns; conducting low budget campaigns in the community; cultural appropriateness and sensitivity; working with CALD groups; global contexts; engaging the community; the role of communication strategies (e.g. advocacy, networking, building partnerships and building capacity) in promoting health.

ULO These are the Learning Outcomes (ULO) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes
ULO1

Understand the theoretical underpinnings of communication within a health context.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities

ULO2

Explore and critically review a range of local and overseas health communication campaigns and health education programs.

GLO4: Critical thinking
GLO8: Global citizenship

ULO3

Develop resources suited for distribution through print and social media.

GLO3: Digital literacy

ULO4

Demonstrate capacity to effectively communicate with others through team collaboration and oral presentations.

GLO2: Communication
GLO7: Teamwork

Assessment

Trimester 1:
Assessment description Student output Grading and weighting
(% total mark for unit)
Indicative due week
Assessment 1: Media package 1200 words 30%
  • Week 5
Assessment 2: Small Group Presentation 10 minutes 30%
  • Week 8
Assessment 3: Communications strategy 1600 words 40%
  • Week 11

The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.

Learning Resource

The texts and reading list for the unit can be found on the University Library via the link below: HSH208 Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.

Unit Fee Information

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