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308.701.13
Effective Presentations and News Media Interviews: Practical Skills for Public Health Practitioners

Location
East Baltimore
Note: Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, this course was held in a virtual/online format.
Term
Winter Institute
Department
Health Policy and Management
Credit(s)
3
Academic Year
2020 - 2021
Instruction Method
TBD
Start Date
Tuesday, January 12, 2021
End Date
Thursday, January 21, 2021
Class Time(s)
In addition to pre-recorded lectures, this course will be offered via live zoom sessions on January 12, 14, 19, and 21, 2021 from 1pm - 3pm
Tu, Th, 1:00 - 3:20pm
Auditors Allowed
No
Available to Undergraduate
No
Grading Restriction
Letter Grade or Pass/Fail
Contact Name
Frequency Schedule
One Year Only
Next Offered
Only offered in 2020
Description
Public health professionals are often tasked with communicating with the news media and giving presentations to a wide variety of stakeholders. This may be during an emergency situation, or to explain research and advocate for policies. Whether you are giving a presentation to a small group of colleagues or appearing on CNN, skills for effectively presenting information will inevitably come in handy during your career. This course offers practical exercises to help you be more confident, poised and prepared for public speaking. In this course, you will learn from real-life examples—both good and bad—and develop your own presentation skills during on-camera exercises.
Enhances skills to construct and deliver oral presentations with clarity and impact. Provides techniques and guidelines to increase your effectiveness in translating public health information to various audiences, as well as communicating through the news media during both crisis and non-crisis situations. Topics include: basics of effective presentations, non-verbal communications, case studies, giving an interview, preparing talking points, advocacy and the news media, and communicating in a public health emergency. Students review videotapes of news coverage and participate as spokespersons in on-camera simulation exercises.
Learning Objectives
Upon successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
  1. Discuss the challenges involved in communicating health information to the media and other stakeholders
  2. Explain the news media’s role in and perspective on health and risk communication
  3. Describe techniques to improve a spokesperson’s effectiveness in both crisis and non-crisis communication
  4. Prepare talking points for news media interviews and other presentations
  5. Demonstrate strategies for effectively communicating information
Methods of Assessment
This course is evaluated as follows:
  • 20% Pre-course assignhment
  • 25% Participation
  • 25% In-class Exercises
  • 30% Cast study analysis
Special Comments

Students who have taken one or both of the following courses should not enroll in this course: Making Effective Public Presentations (301.772) or Case Studies in Communicating with the Media (301.771). This course will be offered remotely with a mix asynchronous lectures and 4 synchronous zoom sessions. Students are required to listen to lectures prior to the start of class. Final exam is due by February 5, 2021.