| Dozent/in |
Prof. Sara Rubinelli, PhD |
| Veranstaltungsart |
Vorlesung |
| Code |
HS251109 |
| Semester |
Herbstsemester 2025 |
| Durchführender Fachbereich |
Gesundheitswissenschaften |
| Studienstufe |
Master |
| Termin/e |
Do, 18.09.2025, 14:15 - 16:00 Uhr, 3.A05
Do, 25.09.2025, 14:15 - 16:00 Uhr, 3.A05
Do, 09.10.2025, 14:15 - 16:00 Uhr, 3.A05
Do, 16.10.2025, 14:15 - 16:00 Uhr, 3.A05
Do, 23.10.2025, 14:15 - 16:00 Uhr, 3.A05
Do, 30.10.2025, 14:15 - 16:00 Uhr, 3.A05
Do, 06.11.2025, 14:15 - 16:00 Uhr, 3.A05
Do, 13.11.2025, 14:15 - 16:00 Uhr, 3.A05
Do, 20.11.2025, 14:15 - 16:00 Uhr, 3.A05
Do, 27.11.2025, 14:15 - 16:00 Uhr, 3.A05
Do, 04.12.2025, 14:15 - 16:00 Uhr, 3.A05
Do, 11.12.2025, 14:15 - 16:00 Uhr, 3.A05
Do, 18.12.2025, 14:15 - 16:00 Uhr, 3.A05 |
| Weitere Daten |
This course is ideal for students interested in public health practice, health policy, media engagement, and the societal impact of health communication. No prior background in communication studies is required. This course replaced the previous Institutional Health Communication. |
| Umfang |
2 Semesterwochenstunden |
| Inhalt |
• Principles and frameworks of public health communication
• Public health vs. science communication: boundaries and synergies
• Public health and politics: navigating power, ideology, and trust
• Social media, influencers, and the rise of the public health "voice"
• History of public health communication: from posters to platforms
• Framing, messaging, and storytelling in health
• Communicating risk and uncertainty
• Health equity and culturally responsive communication
• Ethics and accountability in public health messaging |
| Schlagworte |
Nachhaltigkeit; Gender/Diversity |
| E-Learning |
• Moodle for course materials and reading access
• Moodle Submission portal for written assignments
• Asynchronous discussion forums for group coordination and reflection |
| Lernziele |
How can we communicate public health messages in ways that inform, engage, and empower populations, especially in an era of disinformation, polarization, and digital overload? This course provides students with the critical tools and applied strategies to understand and shape the communication of public health in contemporary society.
Combining theoretical foundations with real-world case studies, students will explore the principles of public health communication and its intersections with science communication, political discourse, media dynamics, and social influence. From vaccination campaigns to health equity messaging, from misinformation during pandemics to the strategic use of influencers, students will analyze both historic and current communication successes and failures.
This course emphasizes the public in public health: how values, trust, and narratives shape public understanding, policy, and behavior. It prepares students to become skilled, reflective, and ethical communicators in a field where words can save lives, or cost them.
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
• Understand the core principles and objectives of public health communication.
• Analyze the role of political context and actors in shaping public health messages.
• Evaluate the impact of social media, influencers, and digital platforms on public health communication.
• Identify and respond to disinformation and misinformation in public health.
• Assess historical and contemporary examples of communication failures and successes in public health.
• Develop effective communication strategies for public health campaigns, including during emergencies or pandemics.
• Apply ethical reasoning to the design and dissemination of public health messages. |
| Voraussetzungen |
• Active participation in class and group work is an asset
• Completion of reading assignments and exercises
• Engagement in small-size group projects during the course |
| Sprache |
Englisch |
| Anmeldung |
https://elearning.hsm-unilu.ch/course/view.php?id=934 |
| Prüfung |
Written exam
IMPORTANT: In order to earn credits and participate at the exam registration via Uni Portal within the exam registration period is MANDATORY. Further information: www.unilu.ch/en/study/courses-exams-regulations/health-sciences-and-medicine/exams/ |
| Abschlussform / Credits |
Written exam / 3 Credits
|
| Hinweise |
Teaching methods:
• Guest lecturers
• Interactive lectures with real-world case studies
• Group discussions and peer learning
• In-class role plays and communication exercises
• Guided self-reflection |
| Hörer-/innen |
Nein |
| Kontakt |
sara.rubinelli@unilu.ch |
| Material |
• Slide sets and handouts provided by the lecturer
• Templates for CV, interview preparation, and self-assessment
• Case study briefs
• Self-reflection workbook |
| Literatur |
The main reference literature includes:
Bernhardt, J. M. (2004). Communication at the core of effective public health. American Journal of Public Health, 94(12), 2051–2053.
Guttman, N., & Salmon, C. T. (2004). Guilt, fear, stigma and knowledge gaps: Ethical issues in public health communication interventions. Bioethics, 18(6), 531–552.
Larson, H. J. (2020). Stuck: How vaccine rumors start—and why they don't go away. Oxford University Press.
Green, M. C., Strange, J. J., & Brock, T. C. (2003). Narrative impact: Social and cognitive foundations. Psychology Press.
Selected WHO and CDC communication frameworks
Case-specific articles and campaign materials.
Articles and book chapters will be made available on Moodle. |