Health Communication and Media Literacy

Catalog description

This foundational course examines and bridges the theory and practice of digital media, and interpersonal, organizational, and mass communication. It reviews strategies of persuasion, the relationship between attitudes and health behavior through the lifespan, and the changing nature of health, illness, and health delivery in national and global arenas. Students consider how the Social Determinants of Health impact health behaviors and outcomes for diverse populations, and how health communication and media literacy can influence those health behaviors and outcomes. Starting with the history of health communication, students gain insight into its evolution from community health education to broader performs such as popular media and marketing. The course defines and examines health literacy and digital literacy in the same populations. Students apply knowledge gained of health literacy and digital literacy to a holistic approach of communicating health-related concepts to populations.