308.701.73
Media Interviews and Applied Public Health Communications

Location
Internet
Term
Winter Institute
Department
Health Policy and Management
Credit(s)
3
Academic Year
2022 - 2023
Instruction Method
Synchronous Online with Some Asynchronous Online
Start Date
Tuesday, January 10, 2023
End Date
Thursday, January 19, 2023
Class Time(s)
This course will be offered synchronously on January 10, 12, 17, and 19 from 9:00AM - 11:00AM.
Tu, Th, 9:00 - 11:20am
Auditors Allowed
No
Available to Undergraduate
No
Grading Restriction
Letter Grade or Pass/Fail
Course Instructor(s)
Meghan McGinty
Contact Name
Pamela Davis
Frequency Schedule
One Year Only
Next Offered
Only offered in 2022
Prerequisite
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. Includes topics: 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. Reviews 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 Assignment
  • 25% Participation
  • 25% In-class Exercises
  • 30% Final Assignment
Instructor Consent
Consent required for all students
Consent Note
All students must receive active approvals from HPM
Consent Contact
Pamela.Davis@jhu.edu
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 3, 2023.