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300.860.71
Special Studies/Research: The Media and the Message: What Public Health Needs to Know about the News

Course Status
Cancelled

Location
Internet
Term
4th Term
Department
Health Policy and Management
Credit(s)
3
Academic Year
2022 - 2023
Instruction Method
Synchronous Online with Some Asynchronous Online
Class Time(s)
Wednesday, 3:00 - 4:30pm
Auditors Allowed
Yes, with instructor consent
Available to Undergraduate
No
Grading Restriction
Letter Grade or Pass/Fail
Course Instructor(s)
Contact Name
Frequency Schedule
One Year Only
Description
Communication and trust-building are intrinsic to public health; distrust and misinformation undermine it. Sometimes the media rises to the occasion; for example, there was some excellent coverage of the coronavirus pandemic in major outlets and specialized publications. At the same time, however, millions of people now get their news from ideological echo chambers and unvetted social media; one result is surges of misunderstanding about “Affordable Care Act death panels” or “Bill Gates microchips” in covid vaccines. This course will review the current media landscape, providing insight about problems and potential solutions, with specific lessons for practitioners in public health.
Studies contemporary U.S. media through the lens of public health. Analyzes the economic, social and political forces behind the changing media landscape. Provides insight into how news is gathered and how coverage decisions are made. Reviews the current media landscape, provides insight on problems and potential solutions, with specific lessons for practitioners in public health.
Learning Objectives
Upon successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
  1. Analyze economic forces that have undermined local news and local reporters’ specialization
  2. Recognize barriers policy reporters face in ways that will help a public health advocate or official become a “trusted communicator"
  3. Recognize new initiatives – for profit and nonprofit – that are emerging to preserve and restore traditional fact-based policy reporting
  4. Critically read/watch local and national news to identify inaccuracies, false-equivalency and political bias, and to see how they advance or damage accurate health communication
  5. Communicate public health science to diverse stakeholders, including individuals at all levels of health literacy, for the purpose of influencing behavior and policies
Methods of Assessment
This course is evaluated as follows:
  • 10% Participation
  • 30% Assignments
  • 20% Group Project(s)
  • 40% Final Exam
Enrollment Restriction
undergraduates are not permitted in this course
Special Comments

This course meets the communication requirement for School-wide DrPH program. Each week students will listen to recorded lecture and meet for live interactive discussion