HSH208 - Health Communication
Unit details
| Year | 2025 unit information |
|---|---|
| Enrolment modes: | Trimester 1: Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Online |
| Credit point(s): | 1 |
| EFTSL value: | 0.125 |
| Unit Chair: | Trimester 1: Melissa Ensink |
| Prerequisite: | Nil |
| Corequisite: | Nil |
| Incompatible with: | Nil |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - on-campus unit enrolment: | 1 x 1 hour online lecture per week |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - online unit enrolment: | 1 x 1 hour online lecture per week |
| 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. |
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.
Learning Outcomes
| ULO | These are the Unit Learning Outcomes (ULOs) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: | Alignment to Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
Assessment
Trimester 1:| Assessment description | Student output | Grading and weighting (% total mark for unit) | Indicative due week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1: Media package | 1200 words | 30% |
|
| Assessment 2: Small Group Presentation | 10 minutes | 30% |
|
| Assessment 3: Communications strategy | 1600 words | 40% |
|
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 HSH208 can be found via the University Library.
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
Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study and their study discipline, and your study load.
Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current Students website.