Marketing Public Health
This course will integrate marketing principles and health issues as we support our community partners with formative research to advance their public health goals. Topics will include: social marketing + social change; ethical issues in social marketing; the role of policy, culture and social norms in public health; customer-centered marketing; theories of behavior change; and how one’s own background and culture impact effectiveness in the work of promoting social change. This Capstone does require group meetings outside of class, as well as coordinating schedules with our community partners.
In this course, Students will have the opportunity to:
- Gain an understanding of the key features of social marketing and how they are implemented.
- Gain a foundational understanding of the public health issues proposed by the Community Partner, both from the Community Partner and through independent research.
This term, our topic will be primarily menu labeling. Learn about the challenges of influencing behavior change. Apply social marketing principles to a current public health issue.
Reading: The reading and research for this class will be concentrated in the first few weeks. Later in the term, we will focus on analysis, deepening our understanding of social marketing and our work with our Community Partners. Assigned readings are intended to get you started on the subject. This is a dynamic field. It is expected that you will take some initiative to do further reading, particularly via the internet. This will optimize what you get out of the class and your contribution to our partners.
Written Assignments and Projects: Plan to do some writing most weeks. For the first several weeks, you will have a Weekly Writing Assignment (WWA) that will be due one week after it is assigned. It should be a minimum of two pages and not more than four, double spaced. Printing on two sides or using recycled paper is fine. The WWA topics will be related to discussions and/or speakers we have had; others will be more reflective writing. 
In order to receive the maximum points on the assignment, your paper must be neat, well-written, thorough, follow the instructions and show some creativity. It must also be turned in on time, which is class time on the due date. You should show that you have done the reading and been attentive in class by incorporating the concepts in your writing. However, I am not interested in re-reading exactly what is in the texts or a detailed summary of a class discussion. Your papers should include new information. Papers that are creative and show initiative in learning about the topic will receive the most points. If you are unclear about my expectations, please ask! I am happy to discuss it with you.
Copies of most assignments will be posted on Blackboard.
In addition to reading, research and the WWAs, you will be expected to participate fully in class discussions and activities. We will be working on the following activities and projects during the term:
* Individual research into a health or environmental issue;
* Presenting items in the news about social marketing;
* Formative research to support our Community Partners' work, both as a class and in small groups; and,
* Creating our own "taste test" to expand our knowledge of and experience with fruits and vegetables.
Class Participation: Examples of participation are speaking up in class discussions, asking questions, and being prepared for class activities. I encourage participation by everyone for two reasons. First of all, it allows me to see that you have done the reading and are engaged in the topic. Second, and most importantly, a range of diverse perspectives greatly enriches the class and what we all get out of it. The more people who speak up, the more diverse perspectives we get to experience. For those who do not feel comfortable speaking in front of the class, there will be opportunities to submit written notes that will enable you to earn full participation points. As the term progresses, though, I hope that you will feel comfortable speaking in class.
During the term, we will be discussing some controversial subjects about which people may have strong opinions. Our goal is to learn from each other, not to debate. It is expected that everyone will show respect for other opinions, students, guests and instructors at all times.
