King Saud University

Applied Medical Sciences College

Quality and Development Unit

Course Syllabus

Course title and code:

CHS 438 Mass communication in Health Education

Department :

Community Health Sciences

Program in which the course is offered:

Health education

Total contact hours per semester:

4 hours

Level at which this course is offered:

Level 8

Course prerequisites:

CHS 383, CHS 384, CHS 385

Time:

Thursday from 11 am -2 pm (Theoretical session)

Thursday from 2 pm -4pm ( practical session )

Location:

Building No 11, room 11S26

College member responsible for the course:

Mrs. Alaa Jameel Almaiman

Dr.Zainab ALkhudairi

Contact information:

  • Office Number: 219
  • Phone :0503458283
  • Email:
  • Office hours: Monday 9-11 and 1-2 and Thursday 9-11

Course Description:

This course helps students to effectively plan, design and pre-testing written–printed materials posters, leaflets, fact sheet, newspapers, booklets, radio and television health education messages, video, computer learning materials, health faire with emphasis on effects – advantages and disadvantages of audio-visual aids and mass media in health education.

Course Objectives:

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

  • Select ways to use mass media as channels for health issues.
  • Formulate different health messages in different mass media tools.
  • Define health literacy, media literacy.
  • Give Examples of competitive and exchange social marketing.
  • Use computer to design brochure, mini-posters and press release.

Teaching strategies:

  • Interactive lectures using class discussions, brainstorming, case studies and others.
  • Stimulating the students to be active.
  • Giving Interactive lessons and guiding students on the methods of searching and the different strategies used in developing class activities.

Learning Resources:

  • Learning Resources

Required Text (s)

  • Esther Thorson, Jerry C Parker. (2008). Health communication in the new media landscape. Springer Publishing company, New York 10063.
  • Nourthhouse PG, Nourthhouse LL. (1985). Health Communication: A Handbook for Health Professionals. Prentice-Hall, Inc Englewood, New Jercy 07632.

Essential References

  • The world health organization. (1989). Education for health: a guide for health education in primary health care. 1989; WHO.
  • American hospital association. (1978). Media Handbook. Library of congress cataloguing in publishing data

Recommended Journals

  • Electronic Materials and Web Sites
  • The World Health Organization (WHO). Available online. URL:
  • Centre of Disease Control and Prevention. Available online. URL:

Topics to be covered

List of topics / Week due / Contact hours
Introduction / Week 1
21/1/2016 / 5
Definitions of mass media terms, using mass media in health promotion / Week 2
28/1/2016 / 5
Health communication campaign / Week 3
4/2/2016 / 5
Internet / Social media and digital marketing / Week 4
11/2/2016 / 5
Mid-term 1 / Week 5
18/2/2016 / 5
Health advertisements ( Part 1+ 2 ) / Week 6
25/2/2016 / 5
Media literacy + Health literacy / Week 7
3/3/2016 / 5
Media Advocacy / Week 8
10/3/2016 / 5
Break / Week 9
17/3/2016 / 5
Mid-term 2 / Week 10
24/3/2016 / 5
Principles of Use of Audio / Visual Aids / Week 11
31/3/2016 / 5
Creating Newsletters / Week 12
7/4/2016 / 5
Creating Posters and Flyers / Week 13
14/4/2016 / 5
Creating Brochures / Week 14
21/4/2016 / 5
Presentations / Week 15
28/4/2016 / 5
Revision / Week 16
5/5/2016 / 5

Schedule of Assessment Tasks for Students During the Semester

Assessment task / Week due / Proportion of Final Assessment
Midterm I / 5 / 20%
Midterm II / 10 / 20%
Practical Project / 13 / 20%
End Semester Exam / 18 / 40%

Criteria for evaluation :

1. Class Meetings and Participation:

Required readings, lectures, discussions, and small group activities will be used to guide students through the knowledge and skill-building process. Students are expected to read the assigned readings and participate in discussions around them. Class attendance and participation are required. If you cannot attend class for any reason, please notify me in advance; however, absence will still be counted.

  • If you are 15 minute late for the class, you’re welcome to attend but you will be considered absent.
  • One mark will be deducted for unexplainable laughs or side talks.

2. Midterm and Final Exams:

These will assess the information and knowledge you’re learning in the class. They’ll be based on class materials and your notes. There will be NO makeup exams.

3. Practical Project:

For this project you will be assigned into different groups, each group with a different task to be accomplished during the semester. Please note that this is not an easy grade assignment, good grades are achieved only upon meeting the expected criteria and quality.

*Clear guidelines about the projects and specific information about the evaluation criteria will be provided to the students during the term.

Course rules :

Classroom Policies and Expectations

  • Attendance: Regular on-time attendance in class is expected.
  • Participation: in class discussions is strongly encouraged.
  • Students will be allowed to talk one at a time and each person’s opinion will be listened.
  • Cell phones must be kept on silent mode.
  • No texting or talking on the phone during class
  • If you need to answer a text or a call, you may step out of the room and come back when finished. You don’t have to ask for permission for this.
  • Ear phones are not allowed in ears during class.
  • Laptops may be brought to class to take notes as long as typing is not disturbing other students.
  • This policy will change if there are complaints.
  • You may only use your laptop for note taking – other uses are not allowed.
  • Cheating and plagiarism are not accepted.
  • If you have questions about the readings or the assignments, please feel free to ask at any time during class, as the answers will probably benefit your classmates as well.

Class Leader:

  • Name:

Will be nominated by the group

  • Duties of the Class leader:

will be determined by the instructor

Date:

January 21, 2016