308.701.73
Media Interviews and Applied Public Health Communications
Location
Internet
Term
Winter Institute
Department
Health Policy and Management
Credit(s)
3
Academic Year
2025 - 2026
Instruction Method
Synchronous Online with Some Asynchronous Online
Start Date
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
End Date
Friday, January 16, 2026
This course will be offered remotely January 14-16, 2026.
W, Th, F, 9:00am - 5:00pm
Auditors Allowed
No
Available to Undergraduate
No
Grading Restriction
Letter Grade or Pass/Fail
Course Instructor(s)
Contact Name
Frequency Schedule
One Year Only
Resources
Prerequisite
Enrollment Restriction
This course is not restricted.
Public health professionals are often tasked with communicating with the news media and giving presentations to a wide variety of stakeholders. This may be during an emergency situation, or to explain research and advocate for policies. Whether you are giving a presentation to a small group of colleagues or appearing on CNN, skills for effectively presenting information will inevitably come in handy during your career. This course offers practical exercises to help you be more confident, poised and prepared for public speaking. In this course, you will learn from real-life examples—both good and bad—and develop your own presentation skills during on-camera exercises.
Enhances skills to construct and deliver oral presentations with clarity and impact. Provides techniques and guidelines to increase your effectiveness in translating public health information to various audiences, as well as communicating through the news media during both crisis and non-crisis situations. Includes topics: basics of effective presentations, non-verbal communications, case studies, giving an interview, preparing talking points, advocacy and the news media, and communicating in a public health emergency. Reviews videotapes of news coverage and participate as spokespersons in on-camera simulation exercises.
Learning Objectives
Upon successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
- Discuss the challenges involved in communicating health information to the media and other stakeholders
- Explain the news media’s role in and perspective on health and risk communication
- Describe techniques to improve a spokesperson’s effectiveness in both crisis and non-crisis communication
- Prepare talking points for news media interviews and other presentations
- Demonstrate strategies for effectively communicating information
Upon successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
Methods of Assessment
This course is evaluated as follows:
- 20% Pre-course Assignment
- 25% Participation
- 25% In-class Exercises
- 30% Final Assignment
Students who have taken one or both of the following courses should not enroll in this course: Making Effective Public Presentations (301.772) or Case Studies in Communicating with the Media (301.771). This course will be offered remotely, via Zoom, over three straight days. Students may be required to listen to lectures or complete a pre-course assignment, prior to the start of class. Final exam is due by February 6, 2026.