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
Effective communication is essential in public health for influencing behaviours, shaping policy, and promoting health. This unit offers an in-depth exploration of health communication strategies from a health promotion perspective, covering key foundations, ethical and political considerations, and the use of social marketing in campaigns. Students will apply theoretical frameworks to real-world challenges, critically analyse media and language roles, and develop evidence-informed strategies for behaviour and policy change.
Practical skills covered in the unit include analysing, designing and evaluating health communication campaigns, addressing misinformation, resistance and backlash, and engaging diverse audiences. Upon completion, students will be equipped to influence behaviour change, promote health equity, and influence policy for improved population health outcomes.
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 | Critically analyse the ethical and social effects and impacts of health communication strategies. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO4 | Design and evaluate evidence-based health communication campaigns for behaviour and policy change. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO5 | 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: Health issue analysis | 800 words | 20% |
|
| Assessment 2: Group presentation | Team charter, Presentation slides Presention recording (10 minutes) Self assessment (100 words) | 30% |
|
| Assessment 3: Campaign proposal and plan | 2000 words | 50% |
|
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.