Course Information

Course Title:

Public Health Communication and Behavioral Theories

Course Number:

MPH505

Credit Hours:

3 credits

Course Pre-requisites:

MPH500, 501, 502, 503

Course Description:

This course introduces concepts related to global health promotion and public health education. Students examine common behavioral and social science theories used in health communication, education, and health promotion. Coursework examines various settings, roles, and agencies for promoting health as well as effective program designs used in community, school, worksite, and patient-care settings.

Fieldwork Compliance Requirements

Chamberlain does not have specific practicum field compliance requirements for MPH students. Meeting student compliance requirements will only be necessary when the student’s fieldwork facility requires it. Students who do not complete the facility-specific requirements prior to the start of the course will not be registered or will be withdrawn from the course. Students should direct any questions to MPHFieldSupport@chamberlain.edu.

Textbooks and Resources

Required Textbooks

The following books are required for this course:

American Psychological Association. (2010). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (6th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.

 

Access E-Book

Edberg, M. (2015). Essentials of health behavior: Social and behavioral theory in public health (2nd ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.


Access E-Book

Glanz, K., Rimer, B. K., & Viswanath, K. (Eds.). (2015). Health behavior and health education: Theory, research, and practice (5th ed.). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.


Optional Resources

The following resources are available for this course:

Physical Books and Supplies

To obtain all your books and supplies, visit the online Chamberlain bookstore at https://bookstore.chamberlain.edu/.

eBook Details

First Time Using VitalSource?

Step 1: View the VitalSource Video

Step 2: Register with VitalSource Bookshelf Online

  1. Click the cover or title of your eBook. A new window will open.
  2. Enter email address and password. Bookshelf Online will open.

Step 3: Access the Desktop and Mobile Versions

You must complete Step 2 prior to using the desktop or mobile versions.

Already Registered?   3 Ways to Access Your eBooks

Bookshelf

Online

Access your eBook by clicking on the book cover or title in the syllabus page. Bookshelf Online will open.

Desktop devices

Desktop

Download your eBooks and use them whether you're connected to the Internet or not.

Mobile devices

Mobile

Download the app and get your eBooks on your iPhone, iPad, or Android device.

Program Outcomes

The MPH program outcomes are aligned with the Council for Education of Public Health (CEPH) accreditation criteria (2011) and the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH) publication, a Master of Public Health Degree for the 21st Century (2014).

At the completion of the Chamberlain MPH program, the graduate will be able to

1

Articulate the history and philosophy of the professional discipline of public health relative to its core values, concepts, functions, and leadership roles.

2

Utilize quantitative methods and epidemiologic tools to assess, monitor, and review the health status of populations and their related determinants of health and illness.

3

Apply evidence-based reasoning and health informatics approaches to the process of program planning, development, budgeting, management, and evaluation in public health organizations and public health interventions to improve community health outcomes.

4

Specify approaches for assessing, preventing, and controlling environmental hazards that pose risks to human health and safety.

5

Apply theoretical constructs of social change, health behavior, and social justice in planning public health interventions.

6

Develop public health programs and strategies responsive to the diverse cultural values and traditions of the communities being served.

7

Practice systems thinking techniques and problem solving to understand and respond to the dynamic interactions among sectors, organizations and public health professionals in improving public health.

8

Demonstrate leadership abilities as effective collaborators and coordinators within and across organizations and as members of interdisciplinary and interprofessional teams.

9

Communicate public health messages to a variety of audiences using targeted written, mass media and electronic communication, and social marketing.

10

Apply the ethical, legal, economic, political, and regulatory dimensions of healthcare and public health policy to developing, evaluating, and advocating for public health policies.

Course Outcomes

Chamberlain courses are built to align course content with specific competency-focused Course Outcomes (COs). The COs define the learning objectives that the student will be required to comprehend and demonstrate competency by course completion. The COs that will be covered in detail for each module can be found in the overview page in that particular module. Whenever possible, a reference will be made from a particular activity or assessment back to the CO that it emphasizes.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to demonstrate the following.

1

Describe and apply an ecological framework to the description and analysis of health behavior and public health issues. (POs 1 and 5)

2

Identify basic theories, concepts, and models from a range of social and behavioral disciplines that are used in public health research and practice. (PO 3)

3

Critically appraise the empirical support, strengths, and weaknesses of different health behavior models and theories. (POs 3, 5, and 7)

4

Explain how to use theories/models in the planning, implementation, evaluation, and cultural adaptation of public health programs intended to improve health at the local and national level. (POs 3, 5, 6, and 7)

5

Apply health communication concepts to methods and mediums for promoting health. (POs 5 and 9)

6

Analyze ethical and legal concerns that apply to the design, implementation, and evaluation of public health programs. (POs 2, 3, 7, and 10)

7

Explain various settings, roles, and agencies for promoting health. (POs 7 and 8)

8

Discuss future challenges and trends in public health research and practice related to health promotion and education. (POs 3 and 7)

Learning Guide

Module, Topic, and Outcomes

Readings

Learning Activities

Module 1

What Is Public Health?

CO 1

Module 1 Lesson: What Is Public Health?

Edberg, M. (2015). Essentials of health behavior: Social and behavioral theory in public health (2nd ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

  • Chapter 1: Introduction: The Links Between Health and Behavior
  • Chapter 2: Health Issues and Behavior
  • Chapter 7: Multilevel Theories

Glanz, K., Rimer, B. K., & Viswanath, K. (Eds.). (2015). Health behavior and health education: Theory, research, and practice (5th ed.). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

  • Chapter 1: The Scope of Health Behavior

Graded Discussion

Module 2

Exploring the Links Among Health, Behavior, and Theory

CO 1

Module 2 Lesson: Exploring the Links Among Health, Behavior, and Theory

Edberg, M. (2015). Essentials of health behavior: Social and behavioral theory in public health (2nd ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

  • Chapter 3: Social Behavioral Theory and Its Roots

Glanz, K., Rimer, B. K., & Viswanath, K. (Eds.). (2015). Health behavior and health education: Theory, research, and practice (5th ed.). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

  • Chapter 2: Theory, Research, and Practice in Health Behavior

National Cancer Institute. (2005). Theory at a glance: A guide for health promotion practice. (NIH Publication No. 05-3896). Bethesda, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health.

Learning Resources:

  • Video: Deserted: South LA Food Environment (7:23 min.)

Graded Discussion

Module 3

Individual-Based Health Behavior Theories: The Health Belief Model and the Transtheoretical Model

COs 2, 3, 4, and 7

Module 3 Lesson: Individual-Based Health Behavior Theories: The Health Belief Model and the Transtheoretical Model

Ar-yuwat, S., Clark, M. J., Hunter, A., & James, K. S. (2013, March). Determinants of physical activity in primary school students using the health belief model. Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare, 2013:6, 119–126.

Edberg, M. (2015). Essentials of health behavior: Social and behavioral theory in public health (2nd ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

  • Chapter 4: Individual Health Behavior Theories

Garber, C. E., Allsworth, J. E., Marcus, B. H., Hesser, J., & Lapane, K. L. (2008, May). Correlates of the stages of change for physical activity in a population survey. American Journal of Public Health, 98(5), 897–904.

Glanz, K., Rimer, B. K., & Viswanath, K. (Eds.). (2015). Health behavior and health education: Theory, research, and practice (5th ed.). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

  • Chapter 5: The Health Belief Model
  • Chapter 7: The Transtheoretical Model and Stages of Change

Learning Resources:

  • Video: M-PACT—Applying and Evaluating the Health Belief Model (9:46 min.)

Graded Discussion

Graded Assessment: Behavior Change Intervention Paper

Module 4

Individual-Based Health Behavior Theories: The Theory of Reasoned Action/Theory of Planned Behavior

COs 2, 3, 4, and 7

Module 4 Lesson: Individual-Based Health Behavior Theories: The Theory of Reasoned Action/Theory of Planned Behavior

Askelson, N. M., Campo, S., Lowe, J. B., Dennis, L. K., Smith, S., & Andsager, J. (2010, March). Factors related to physicians' willingness to vaccinate girls against HPV: The importance of subjective norms and perceived behavioral control. Women Health, 50(2), 144–158.

Askelson, N. M., Campo, S., Lowe, J. B., Smith, S., Dennis, L. K., & Andsager, J. (2010, June). Using the theory of planned behavior to predict mothers' intentions to vaccinate their daughters against HPV. Journal of School of Nursing, 26(3), 194–202.

Edberg, M. (2015). Essentials of health behavior: Social and behavioral theory in public health (2nd ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

  • Chapter 4: Individual Health Behavior Theories

Glanz, K., Rimer, B. K., & Viswanath, K. (Eds.). (2015). Health behavior and health education: Theory, research, and practice (5th ed.). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

  • Chapter 6: Theory of Reasoned Action, Theory of Planned Behavior, and the Integrated Behavioral Model

Graded Discussion

Module 5

Models of Interpersonal Health Behavior

COs 2, 3, 4, and 7

Module 5 Lesson: Models of Interpersonal Health Behavior

Edberg, M. (2015). Essentials of health behavior: Social and behavioral theory in public health (2nd ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

  • Chapter 5: Social, Cultural, and Environmental Theories

Glanz, K., Rimer, B. K., & Viswanath, K. (Eds.). (2015). Health behavior and health education: Theory, research, and practice (5th ed.). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

  • Chapter 9: How Individuals, Environments, and Health Behaviors Interact: Social Cognitive Theory
  • Chapter 10: Social Support and Health
  • Chapter 11: Social Networks and Health Behavior

McNeill, L. H., Wyrwich, K. W., Brownson, R. C., Clark, E. M., & Kreuter, M. W. (2006, February). Individual, social environmental, and physical environmental influences on physical activity among black and white adults: A structural equation analysis. Annals of Behavioral Medicine31(1), 36–44.

Rice, E., Milburn, N. G., & Monro, W. (2011, March). Social networking technology, social network composition, and reductions in substance use among homeless adolescents. Prevention Science, 12(1), 80–88.

Learning Resources:

  • Video: Inside the Psychologist's Studio with Albert Bandura (46:02 min.)
  • Video: The Brain: A Secret History—Emotions; Bandura Bobo Doll Experiment (5:17 min.)
  • Video: Albert Bandura Discusses Moral Disengagement (10:45 min.)

Graded Discussion

Graded Assessment: Social Cognitive Theory Review Paper

Module 6

Diffusion of Innovations

COs 2, 3, 4, and 7

Module 6 Lesson: Diffusion of Innovations

Bertrand, J. T. (2004). Diffusion of innovations and HIV/AIDS. Journal of Health Communication, 9(S1), 113–121.

Edberg, M. (2015). Essentials of health behavior: Social and behavioral theory in public health (2nd ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

  • Chapter 5: Social, Cultural, and Environmental Theories

Glanz, K., Rimer, B. K., & Viswanath, K. (Eds.). (2015). Health behavior and health education: Theory, research, and practice (5th ed.). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

  • Chapter 16: Implementation, Dissemination, and Diffusion of Public Health Interventions

Graded Discussion

Module 7

Social Marketing

COs 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7

Module 7 Lesson: Social Marketing

American Legacy Foundation. (2004). Retrieved from http://www.americanlegacy.org

Edberg, M. (2015). Essentials of health behavior: Social and behavioral theory in public health (2nd ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

  • Chapter 4: Social, Cultural, and Environmental Theories

Farrelly, M. C., Healton, C. G., Davis, K. C., Messeri, P., Hersey, J. C., & Haviland, M. L. (2002, June). Getting to the truth: Evaluating national tobacco countermarketing campaigns. American Journal of Public Health92(6), 901–907.

Glanz, K., Rimer, B. K., & Viswanath, K. (Eds.). (2015). Health behavior and health education: Theory, research, and practice (5th ed.). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

  • Chapter 21: Social Marketing

Grier, S., & Bryant, C. A. (2005). Social marketing in public health. Annual Review of Public Health26(1), 319–339.

Healton, C. (2001, April). Who's afraid of the truth? American Journal of Public Health91(4), 554.

Long, T., Taubenheim, A., Wayman, J., Temple, S., & Ruoff, B. (2008, March). "The heart truth:" Using the power of branding and social marketing to increase awareness of heart disease in women. Social Marketing Quarterly14(3), 3–29. doi: 10.1080/15245000802279334

Graded Discussion

Graded Assessment: Case Study: The truth® Campaign Paper

Module 8

Considerations for Applying Theory in Practice

COs 6, 7, and 8

Module 8 Lesson: Considerations for Applying Theory in Practice

Edberg, M. (2015). Essentials of health behavior: Social and behavioral theory in public health (2nd ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

  • Chapter 9: Communities and Populations as the Focus for Health Promotion Programs
  • Chapter 10: Application of Theory: Schools and Worksites

Public Health Leadership Society. (2002). Principles of the ethical practice of public health. Retrieved from https://nnphi.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/PHLSposter-95321.pdf

Thomas, J. C., Sage, M., Dillenberg, J., & Guillory, V. J. (2002, July). A code of ethics for public health. American Journal of Public Health92(7), 1057–1059.

Graded Discussion

Evaluation Methods

The maximum score in this class is 1,000 points. The categories, which contribute to your final grade, are weighted as follows.

Learning Activities and Assessments
PointsWeighting
Graded Discussions (15 points each)
(Modules 1–8, one graded discussion per module)
120
12%
Behavior Change Intervention Paper
(Module 3)
25025%
Social Cognitive Theory Review Paper
(Module 5)
330
33%
Case Study: The truth® Campaign Paper
(Module 7)
30030%
Total Points1,000100%

No extra credit assignments are permitted for any reason.

The course grade is determined by transferring the total number of points possible in the course to a percentage grade. There is no rounding of grades. Percentages of 0.5% or higher are not raised to the next whole number.

All of your course requirements are graded using points. At the end of the course, the points are converted to a letter grade using the scale in the table below.

Letter GradePointsPercentage
A  930–1,00093% to 100%
A- 900–92990% to 92.9%
B+870–89987% to 89.9%
B  830–86983% to 86.9%
B- 800–82980% to 82.9%
C+770–79977% to 79.9%
C  730–76973% to 76.9%
C- 700–72970% to 72.9%
D+670–69967% to 69.9%
D  630–66963% to 66.9%
D- 600–62960% to 62.9%
F  599 and belowBelow 60%

Discussion Participation

In discussions, you, as a student, will interact with your instructor and classmates to explore topics related to the content of this course. You will be graded for the following.

1. Attendance

Weekly discussion: Discussions are a critical learning experience in the online classroom. Participation in each discussion is required. Each discussion earns a maximum of 15 points per module.

2. Guidelines and Rubric for Discussions

Purpose: Threaded discussions are designed to promote dialogue between faculty and students, and students and their peers. In the discussions, students should

  • demonstrate an understanding of the concepts for the module;
  • integrate professional resources;
  • engage in meaningful and respectful dialogue with classmates; and
  • express thoughts clearly and logically.

Participation requirement: You are required to post a minimum of three times in each discussion. These three posts must be on a minimum of two separate days. You must respond to the initial discussion question by 11:59 p.m. MT on Wednesday. To receive credit for a week's discussion, students may begin posting no earlier than the Sunday immediately before each module opens.  

3. Threaded Discussion Guiding Principles

The ideas and beliefs underpinning the Threaded Discussions (TDs) guide students through engaging dialogues as they achieve the desired learning outcomes and competencies associated with their course in a manner that empowers them to organize, integrate, apply, and critically appraise their knowledge to their selected field of practice. The use of TDs provides students with opportunities to contribute level-appropriate knowledge and experience to the topic in a safe, caring, and fluid environment that models professional and social interaction. The TD's ebb and flow is based upon the composition of student and faculty interaction in the quest for relevant scholarship. Participation in the TDs generates opportunities for students to actively engage in the written ideas of others by carefully reading, researching, reflecting, and responding to the contributions of their peers and course faculty. Threaded Discussions foster the development of members into a community of learners as they share ideas and inquiries, consider perspectives that may be different from their own, and integrate knowledge from other disciplines.

4. Grading Rubric

Discussion Criteria

Outstanding or highest level of performance
 (4 points)

Very good or high level of performance
 (3-2 points)

Competent or satisfactory level of performance
 (1 point)

Poor or failing or unsatisfactory level of performance
 (0 point)

Answers the initial graded discussion question(s)/topic(s), demonstrating knowledge and understanding of the concepts for the module.

Addresses all aspects of the initial discussion question(s) applying experiences, knowledge, and understanding regarding all modular concepts.

AND,

Posts initial response to the discussion no later than Wednesday of the week.

Addresses most aspects of the initial discussion question(s) applying experiences, knowledge, and understanding of most of the modular concepts.

AND,

Posts initial response to the discussion no later than Wednesday of the week.

(Maximum of 2 points if initial response is posted to the discussion AFTER Wednesday of the week.)

Addresses minimal aspects of the initial discussion question(s) applying experiences, knowledge, and understanding of some of the modular concepts.

Does not address the initial discussion question(s).

Integrates evidence to support discussion. Sources are credited.*

(APA format not required.)

Integrates evidence to support your discussion from

  • assigned readings** or online lessons

AND

  • at least one outside scholarly source.***

Sources are credited.*

Integrates evidence to support discussion from

  • assigned readings ** or online lesson

BUT,

  • No outside scholarly sources are integrated into the discussion.

Sources are credited.*

Integrates evidence to support discussion only from an outside source, with no mention of assigned readings or lesson.

Sources are credited.*

Does not integrate any evidence.

Engages in meaningful dialogue with classmates or instructor before the end of the week.


Responds to a classmate or instructor's post furthering the dialogue by providing more information and seeking clarification, thereby adding significant depth to the discussion.

Responds to a classmate or instructor's post furthering the dialogue by providing more information or seeking clarification, thereby adding limited depth to the discussion.

Responds to a classmate or instructor but does not further the discussion.

No response post to another student or instructor before the close of the week.

 

Outstanding or highest level of performance
(3 points)

Very good or high level of performance
(2 points)

Competent or satisfactory level of performance
(1 point)

Poor or failing or unsatisfactory level of performance
(0 points)

Communicates in a professional manner.

Presents information using clear and concise language in an organized manner (NO errors in English grammar, spelling, syntax, and punctuation).

Presents information in an organized manner (minimal, meaning fewer than 3, errors in English grammar, spelling, syntax, and punctuation).

Presents information using understandable language but is somewhat disorganized (more than 3 errors in English grammar, spelling, syntax, and punctuation).

Presents information that is not clear, logical, professional, nor organized to the point that the reader has difficulty understanding the message (significant errors in English grammar, spelling, syntax, and punctuation).

* Credited means stating where the information came from (specific article, text, or lesson). Examples: Our text discusses.... The information from our lesson states..., Smith (2010) claimed that..., Mary Manners (personal communication, November 17, 2011)... APA formatting is not required.

** Assigned readings are those listed on the Syllabus or Learning Activities page as required reading. This may include text readings, required articles, or required websites and media.

*** Scholarly source—per the APA Guidelines, only scholarly sources should be used in written assignments. These include peer-reviewed publications, government reports, or sources written by a professional or scholar in the field. Wikipedia, Wikis, .com websites, or blogs should not be used because anyone can add to these. Outside sources do not include assigned required readings. 

Web Links Disclaimer

The purpose of Web Links is to provide students with annotated bibliographies of world-wide websites relevant to their courses. These websites are not meant to be all inclusive of what is available for each course's subjects and have not been sanctioned as academically rigorous or scholarly by Chamberlain. Please exercise caution when using these websites for course assignments and references. The Web Links page is located on the Course Resources page.

Disability Accommodations in Academic Programs

Chamberlain is committed to maintaining an academic environment free of discrimination and complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Chamberlain will make reasonable accommodations to afford students with disabilities full and equal enjoyment of Chamberlain’s programs and services. Chamberlain makes no assumptions concerning any individual’s abilities or disabilities and makes an individual assessment to determine whether each student’s needs can be met at Chamberlain.

Our intent is to ensure that every student who makes a request for accommodations under ADA is advised of the accommodation process as promptly as possible. If you are a student with a verifiable documented disability, and you can provide medical documentation regarding this disability, then contact our ADA Officer at adaofficer@chamberlain.edu for more information on how to receive ADA accommodations in your online classes or fax your request to 630-596-1651.

Late Work Policy

Students are expected to submit assignments by the time they are due. Assignments submitted after the due date and time will receive a deduction of 10% of the total points possible for that assignment for each day the assignment is late. Assessments will be accepted, with penalty as described, up to a maximum of 3 days late, after which point a zero will be recorded for the assessment.

In the event of an emergency that prevents timely submission of an assignment, students may petition their instructor for a waiver of the late submission grade reduction. The instructor will review the student's rationale for the request and make a determination based on the merits of the student's appeal. Consideration of the student's total course performance to date will be a contributing factor in the determination. Students should continue to attend class, actively participate, and complete other assignments while the appeal is pending.

This policy applies to activities and assessments that contribute to the numerical calculation of the course letter grade.

TurnItIn

Students agree that, by taking this course, all work submitted for a grade is subject to submission for textual similarity review to Turnitin.com for the detection of plagiarism. All submitted papers will be included as source documents in the Turnitin.com reference database solely for the purpose of detecting plagiarism of such papers. Use of the Turnitin.com service is subject to the Terms and Conditions of Use posted on the Turnitin.com site.

Purpose:

The purpose of this Turnitin® policy is to facilitate the formative development of scholarly writing skills.

Overview:

Turnitin® is a web-based resource that Chamberlain makes available to students and faculty to comprehensively check work to identify a similarity index for matching text with a database of existing written work, web pages, and electronic journals. Turnitin® assists students in identifying potential plagiarism and supports the student toward academic integrity and originality in order to further develop their scholarly writing skills. Student-created work that is submitted to Turnitin® generates a Turnitin® Originality Report that students use to further edit work prior to submitting to faculty for feedback and evaluation.

Information about Turnitin® can be located in the Chamberlain Student Handbook. The link to Turnitin.com is placed in every online course under the Course Home area, which is located at the bottom of the list.

Policy:

All faculty members teaching in the Master of Public Health (MPH) program will use TurnItIn® for each written assessment in all courses unless the Syllabus states that a particular assessment is excluded. Additionally, all faculty can screen any submitted activity for plagiarism, using TurnItIn.

 The following assessment will be excluded from Turnitin®:

  • Case Study: The truth® Campaign Paper (Module 7)

Professional ePortfolio

Across the Master of Public Health (MPH) program, you will collect assignments and compile them as artifacts within a Professional ePortfolio to demonstrate your professional growth, competency, and expertise. Your final ePortfolio, developed throughout your program and submitted at the end of the degree program, will be assessed against the learning outcomes of the program. Chamberlain will provide detailed information regarding how and when to submit your Professional ePortfolio in your final courses of the program. It is each student's responsibility to save, maintain all artifacts, and upload required artifacts to the ePortfolio.

e-Portfolio Guidelines and Rubric are available on the Course Resource page (under Course Home).

Please retain the following artifacts from this course to include in the e-Portfolio:

  1. Syllabus (copy)
  2. Behavior Change Intervention Paper (from Module 3)
  3. Social Cognitive Theory Review Paper (from Module 5)

iConnect

This course contains iConnect, which gives you the opportunity to meet in a live, virtual environment with your instructor, one-on-one, to review your work and discuss areas in which you may need additional learning in order to demonstrate competency in specific topic areas.

Top