Course Description
Addresses critical issues in public health as they are portrayed in film. Emphasis on narrative storytelling as a method of engagement and exploration of ethics in public health.
Syllabus
Student Learning Outcomes, Goals, Objectives:
Students successfully completing this course will be able to:
HEA 210 Public Health & Film
- Define critical issues in public health.
- Describe how political, social, and/or cultural systems and structures have supported or reduced health inequities as portrayed in popular media.
- Describe how political, social, and/or cultural systems portrayed in popular media have promoted ideas of difference.
- Describe how marginalized groups have meaningfully engaged in self-definition as portrayed in popular media.
- Examine responses for addressing practices that lead to health inequities as portrayed in popular media.
- Critique films on their ability to explain complex public health issues.
MAC Health & Wellness Student Learning Outcomes
- Identify factors that contribute to physical, mental, and/or social health.
- Demonstrate the connection(s) of different aspects of wellness to the overall health of an individual or population.
- Critically evaluate information and media sources in a variety of formats.
- Integrate and cite sources accurately and correctly.
Course Grading Information:
| Activity/Performance Measure | Percentage/Points |
|---|---|
| Film Club Discussions (x7) | 20% |
| Materials Reflection Portfolio - Midpoint | 15% |
| Materials Reflection Portfolio - Final | 15% |
| Comparative Film Critique - Midpoint (Video) | 20% |
| Comparative Film Critique - Final (Written) | 30% |
In this course, student learning related to MAC Health & Wellness SLOs 1-4 will be assessed through the film club discussions, reflection portfolios, and comparative film critiques.
Attendance/Participation:
This course will be taught completely online and asynchronously. That means we will not engage in face-to-face or Zoom meetings. Students participate through Canvas and are expected to engage with all materials in each module. Film Club Discussions are graded on participation and completion, as they provide practice for the comparative film critiques later in the course, and account for 20% of the final grade.
Course Materials Purchased by the Students:
- The Normal Heart is a film requiring purchase/rental or streaming access.
- Galea, S. (2019). Well: What We Need to Talk About When We Talk About Health. Oxford University Press. The required textbook may be purchased, but is also available free as an ebook through the UNCG Library.
Scholarly Perspectives
This course engages diverse scholarly perspectives to develop critical thinking, analysis, and debate and inclusion of a reading does not imply endorsement.