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  2. Health Communication [HST1124]

Faculty of Health, Engineering and Science

School: Exercise and Health Sciences

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Health Communication

  • Unit Code

    HST1124

  • Year

    2015

  • Enrolment Period

    1

  • Version

    1

  • Credit Points

    15

  • Full Year Unit

     N

  • Mode of Delivery

    Online

Description

This unit provides an introduction to communication strategies essential to working in the health professions. It examines skills for effective communication using written, verbal, mass media and group communication channels.

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded HST2124, PST1107

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate academic research and writing skills.
  2. Demonstrate skills for effective communication across culturally diverse groups using various channels.
  3. Describe models for understanding communication.
  4. Examine processes for planning effective health communication strategies.
  5. Outline the basic concepts of communication.

Unit Content

  1. Academic research and writing skills.
  2. Basic concepts in communication including assumptions, values, beliefs, attitudes, intercultural factors, intrapersonal and interpersonal skills, logic, argument and persuasion.
  3. Models for understanding communication.
  4. Processes for developing effective communication strategies including goal setting, identifying target groups, the beliefs and attitudes of the target groups, message content and message execution.
  5. Skills for effective communication using a range of channels including: mass media; media advocacy and public relations; written documents and electronic communications; leadership and communication; communication in groups; and oral presentations.
  6. Use of bibliographic software to support the development of referencing skills.

Additional Learning Experience Information

On-Campus Lectures, audiovisual materials, small group activities and discussions. In-class and online quizzes are included to encourage student participation. Off-Campus E-learning course work and activities are provided through MyECU and supported by a tutor. Online access to activities, quizzes and audiovisual materials. This unit develops students' communication skills in two strategic ways. Firstly, academic literacy skills are developed through a comprehensive introduction to academic research, writing and referencing skills. Students also learn how to use EndNote, a bibliographic software program which assists with referencing, and provides a 'ready-made' database to store the results of their research. An added bonus is that students can continue to add to and use this database throughout their university studies. The academic literacy skills students learn in the early part of this unit are then applied and evaluated in workshop activities and unit assessments. Secondly, students are introduced to communication theories and the essentials of effective communication in a variety of contexts. A particular focus in this unit is on health communication strategies, and their application to the development of health promotion campaigns using various media platforms. Students are encouraged to apply their understandings in creative and innovative ways to the design of a hypothetical public health communication campaign.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
ExercisePractical Communication Exercises30%
AssignmentReferencing and Literature Review40%
PresentationGroup Presentation30%
ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
ExercisePractical Communication Exercises30%
AssignmentReferencing and Literature Review 40%
AssignmentGroup Powerpoint Submission30%

Text References

  • ^ Eunson, B. (2012). Communicating in the 21st century (3rd ed.). Milton, Australia: John Wiley & Sons Australia.
  • Baker, E., Barrett, M., & Roberts, L. (2002). Working communication. Milton, Australia: John Wiley & Sons Australia.
  • Higgs, J., Ajjawi, R., McAllister, L., Trede, F., & Loftus, S. Communicating in the health sciences (3rd ed.). South Melbourne, Australia: Oxford University Press.
  • Donovan, R., & Henley, N. (2010). Principles and practice of social marketing: An international perspective (2nd ed.). East Hawthorn, Australia: IP Communications.
  • Grellier, J., & Goerke, V. (2010). Communication skills toolkit: Unlocking the secrets of tertiary success (2nd ed.). South Melbourne, Australia: Cengage Learning.
  • Adler, R.B., & Rodman, G. (2012). Understanding human communication (11th ed.). New York: Oxford University Press.
  • Mohan, T., McGregor, H., Saunders, S., & Archee, R. (2008). Communicating as professionals (2nd ed.). Melbourne, Australia: Thomson.
  • Moodie, R., & Hulme, A. (2004). Hands-on health promotion. Melbourne, Australia: IP Communications.

Journal References

  • Australian Journal of Communication
  • Journal of Health Communication
  • Health Promotion International
  • Health Promotion Journal of Australia
  • Public Relations Review
  • Management Communication

^ Mandatory reference

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

HST1124|1|1

Faculty of Health, Engineering and Science

School: Exercise and Health Sciences

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Health Communication

  • Unit Code

    HST1124

  • Year

    2015

  • Enrolment Period

    2

  • Version

    1

  • Credit Points

    15

  • Full Year Unit

     N

  • Mode of Delivery

    Online

Description

This unit provides an introduction to communication strategies essential to working in the health professions. It examines skills for effective communication using written, verbal, mass media and group communication channels.

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded HST2124, PST1107

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate academic research and writing skills.
  2. Demonstrate skills for effective communication across culturally diverse groups using various channels.
  3. Describe models for understanding communication.
  4. Examine processes for planning effective health communication strategies.
  5. Outline the basic concepts of communication.

Unit Content

  1. Academic research and writing skills.
  2. Basic concepts in communication including assumptions, values, beliefs, attitudes, intercultural factors, intrapersonal and interpersonal skills, logic, argument and persuasion.
  3. Models for understanding communication.
  4. Processes for developing effective communication strategies including goal setting, identifying target groups, the beliefs and attitudes of the target groups, message content and message execution.
  5. Skills for effective communication using a range of channels including: mass media; media advocacy and public relations; written documents and electronic communications; leadership and communication; communication in groups; and oral presentations.
  6. Use of bibliographic software to support the development of referencing skills.

Additional Learning Experience Information

On-Campus Lectures, audiovisual materials, small group activities and discussions. In-class and online quizzes are included to encourage student participation. Off-Campus E-learning course work and activities are provided through MyECU and supported by a tutor. Online access to activities, quizzes and audiovisual materials. This unit develops students' communication skills in two strategic ways. Firstly, academic literacy skills are developed through a comprehensive introduction to academic research, writing and referencing skills. Students also learn how to use EndNote, a bibliographic software program which assists with referencing, and provides a 'ready-made' database to store the results of their research. An added bonus is that students can continue to add to and use this database throughout their university studies. The academic literacy skills students learn in the early part of this unit are then applied and evaluated in workshop activities and unit assessments. Secondly, students are introduced to communication theories and the essentials of effective communication in a variety of contexts. A particular focus in this unit is on health communication strategies, and their application to the development of health promotion campaigns using various media platforms. Students are encouraged to apply their understandings in creative and innovative ways to the design of a hypothetical public health communication campaign.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
ExercisePractical Communication Exercises30%
AssignmentReferencing and Literature Review40%
PresentationGroup Presentation30%
ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
ExercisePractical Communication Exercises30%
AssignmentReferencing and Literature Review 40%
AssignmentGroup Powerpoint Submission30%

Text References

  • ^ Eunson, B. (2012). Communicating in the 21st century (3rd ed.). Milton, Australia: John Wiley & Sons Australia.
  • Grellier, J., & Goerke, V. (2010). Communication skills toolkit: Unlocking the secrets of tertiary success (2nd ed.). South Melbourne, Australia: Cengage Learning.
  • Moodie, R., & Hulme, A. (2004). Hands-on health promotion. Melbourne, Australia: IP Communications.
  • Mohan, T., McGregor, H., Saunders, S., & Archee, R. (2008). Communicating as professionals (2nd ed.). Melbourne, Australia: Thomson.
  • Donovan, R., & Henley, N. (2010). Principles and practice of social marketing: An international perspective (2nd ed.). East Hawthorn, Australia: IP Communications.
  • Higgs, J., Ajjawi, R., McAllister, L., Trede, F., & Loftus, S. Communicating in the health sciences (3rd ed.). South Melbourne, Australia: Oxford University Press.
  • Baker, E., Barrett, M., & Roberts, L. (2002). Working communication. Milton, Australia: John Wiley & Sons Australia.
  • Adler, R.B., & Rodman, G. (2012). Understanding human communication (11th ed.). New York: Oxford University Press.

Journal References

  • Management Communication
  • Health Promotion International
  • Journal of Health Communication
  • Public Relations Review
  • Health Promotion Journal of Australia
  • Australian Journal of Communication

^ Mandatory reference

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

HST1124|1|2