Course Syllabus

X685 Public Health Policy and Politics_Syllabus_SU26.NEW.pdf

Please note that the downloadable file (link above) contains more detail than what is below.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The course will provide graduate students with an introduction to public health policy, politics, and processes in the United States and select countries across the globe. Students will examine and critique current public health policy issues at the federal, state, and local levels using several policy models and theoretical lenses. As the course is designed for the MPH practice degree, students will produce policy analyses and briefs for use in the public health policy process.

 LEARNING OUTCOMES / CEPH COMPETENCIES

Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:

1. Compare the organization, structure, and function of health care, public health, and regulatory systems across national and international settings.
2. Discuss multiple dimensions of the policy-making process, including the roles of ethics and evidence.
3. Advocate for political, social, or economic policies and programs that will improve health in diverse populations.
4. Communicate audience-appropriate public health content, both in writing and through oral presentation, to a non-academic, non-peer audience with attention to factors such as literacy and health literacy.
5. Select communication strategies for different audiences and sectors.
6. Evaluate policies for their impact on public health and health equity.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

REQUIRED TEXT AND MATERIALS

• Recommended text (available electronically from IU library): 

  Bhattacharya, D. (2013). Public health policy: Issues, theories, and advocacy. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

  ISBN: 978-1-118-16435-8

• Selected readings & videos posted on the course Canvas site

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

You will need the following in order to participate in this course:

• Computer or tablet; 
• Reliable internet connection;
• Microphone;
• Some way to make and post a simple video (e.g., using a webcam, or a smartphone);
• Access to Canvas using a supported web browser.

TECHNICAL SUPPORT

For additional help with technical issues, consult:

• University Information Technology Services (UITS) (human support)
• IU Knowledge Base (IUKB) (guides)
• IUware (download free software)

HOW WE'LL LEARN ONLINE

The course format will include weekly one or more video lectures, discussions, quick check quizzes, and assignments. Students are required to actively participate in this course on a weekly basis. Student participation is important, and it is required that all students actively participate in online class discussions. This online course is divided into 6 modules that span across 12 weeks, as listed in the modules section on Canvas.

The Modules are:

• Module 1: [Prerequisite Learning] Course Overview, Defining and Recognizing Policy
• Module 2: Health Care and Public Health: US and Select International Contexts
• Module 3: Public Health Policy Making Processes & Dimensions
• Module 4: Advocacy for Public Health, Policy Briefs
• Module 5: Communication in Public Health Policies & Politics
• Module 6: Evaluating Public Health Polices

EXPECTATIONS FOR THE ONLINE COURSEWORK

One thing to always keep in mind when taking any course is that the others with whom you interact throughout the semester - including me, your instructor - are human beings. The first rule of netiquette is to "remember the human" when you are communicating with me or with your peers. The second rule is to "adhere to the same standards of behavior online that you follow in real life."  It's not likely that you would yell at, mock, or belittle another student in a face to face class so don't do it here.  The feeling of anonymity that some people have when they are online can lead to those sorts of behaviors but they are not acceptable here or in any other online class.

Please take a few minutes and review all the Core Rules of Netiquette and these considerations for when you are attending class remotely.

COURSE ASSESSMENTS & GRADES

COURSE ASSESSMENT

Assignment 1: Comparison of Health Care and Public Health between the US and a Select International Context: [100 Points]

For this assignment, select a country (other than US and Canada) and research information on the selected country’s organization, structure, and function of health care, public health and regulatory systems. Then compare the selected country to the US by highlighting how the two countries differ in terms of:

• (1) The organization, structure and function of health care
• (2) The organization, structure and function of public health
• (3) The organization, structure and function of regulatory systems

Submit a short essay (no more than two pages) that contains an introduction, the above three comparison sections, and a conclusion.

Begin working on this assignment as soon as the semester begins since searching and finding information is time consuming. Please refer to this assignment’s rubric on Canvas.

Assignment 2: Discussion of Multiple Dimensions of the Policy‐Making Process: [100 Points]

For this assignment, you will be assigned a specific policy in the form of case study/example. Your task is to discuss the policy-making processes and highlight what role evidence and ethics played in the policy making process assigned to you.

Your discussion post must not exceed 400 words. Once you posted your initial comments, then reply to 2 of your peers’ posts. Your comments have to be meaningful, respectful, rich and thoughtful. It must not be like “I agree with you.” or “I think you are wrong” or full credit will not be earned.

Please refer to this assignment’s rubric on Canvas.

Assignment 3: Policy Brief: [100 Points]

For this assignment, identify a public health issue of your interest and write a policy brief. The policy brief must be communicated to a specific audience, either a state or house legislator or an advocacy/lobbying group that cares about the same issue.

The policy brief must follow the guidelines taught in class, in terms of structure and writing style. Review examples of effective and ineffective policy briefs on Canvas.

Steps:

• First, you will submit a draft of the policy brief.
• Then provide feedback on your peers’ drafts.
• After receiving feedback from your peers, you will then submit a final copy along with proof that the brief was actually sent to the target audience.

Based on the final version of your policy brief, prepare a 3-minute “elevator pitch.” Submit a video of yourself doing the elevator pitch (using IU Kaltura) and submit in Assignments.

Make sure to follow the deadlines listed on Canvas and in the above schedule. Please refer to this assignment’s rubric on Canvas.

Assignment 4: Press Release:
[100 Points]

For this assignment, identify a new public health policy (at the national, state, or local level) and write a press release about it to the general public as a target audience. The press release must communicate the content of the new policy and how it is going to impact the general public. The writing style of the press release must be appropriate to public, thus, can be understood by individuals reading a local newspaper.

The press release needs to follow the guidelines taught in class, in terms of structure and writing style. Review examples of effective and ineffective press releases on Canvas.

Submit a draft of the press release first and provide feedback on your peers’ drafts. You will then submit a final copy that implements the instructor' feedback. Refer to this assignment’s rubric on Canvas.

 Assignment 5: Policy Evaluation Project: [100 Points]

This assignment is an evaluation of a policy of your choice, and you will determine how the evaluated policy impacts public health and health equity.

The evaluation findings will be presented in the form of a report (not like an academic paper) that can be understood by the general public. The report must include the following sections:

a. Executive Summary
b. Introduction
c. Methods
d. Results
e. Discussions & Conclusion

Additionally, you will need to submit a PowerPoint (no voiceover or video presentation required) highlighting your project. PowerPoints must be 6 slides or less and should take into account presenting your work in a brief, digestible format. Your draft of the policy evaluation PowerPoint will be evaluated by your peers. Then submit a final copy that implements your peer feedback. 

Graded Feedback: [10 Points each: Due as indicated in the course schedule]

If you post an insight and a question, you will receive 10 points, however your response must be deemed to be meaningful, respectful, rich and thoughtful. It must not be like “I liked the video.” or “I thought the video was bad” or full credit will not be earned.

Discussions: [10 Points each: Due as indicated in the course schedule]

Class discussions will be devoted to reviewing current issues and topics about public health policy and politics. Some of these topics will be identified as the course progresses throughout the semester. Your discussion posts must not exceed 300 words. Once you post your initial comments, you are required to engage in a discussion with your peers by commenting on two other posts. Your comments have to be meaningful, respectful, rich and thoughtful. It must not be like “I agree with you.” or “I think you are wrong” or full credit will not be earned.

Mini-Assignments: [10 Points each: Due as indicated in the course schedule]

There are a total of five mini-assignments over the course of the semester. Mini-assignments are worth five points each.  Due dates are indicated on the schedule below; they should be submitted in Canvas by 11:59pm on the due date. 

SUBMITTING ASSESSMENT

All submissions are to be made through the appropriate Canvas location.

HOW WILL I KNOW HOW I'M DOING IN THIS COURSE?

Grades will be posted in Canvas within one week of the due date. Since Canvas keeps track of all of your grades, you should always be able to calculate your current grade in the course. If you need assistance, please contact me.

LATE WORK

For late assignments, one point will be deducted for every day past the due date.

ONE WEEK RULE

It is the responsibility of students to check their grades within one week after grades are posted. Any inquiry or dispute over scores or points must be made within one week of a posting. If you fail to protest any score during this time no changes to the posted scores will be made.

ACCOMMODATIONS, INSTITUTIONAL POLICIES, AND SUPPORT SERVICES

ACCOMMODATIONS

Students who need accommodations because of physical or learning disabilities should contact Disability Services for Students at 812-855-7578 or email iubdss@indiana.edu. The office is located on the third floor, west tower, of the Wells Library, Room W302. For more information, visit the Office for Student Disability Services.

SEXUAL MISCONDUCT POLICY

Indiana University and the School of Public Health do not tolerate acts of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment and all forms of sexual violence. If you have experienced sexual misconduct, or know someone who has, the University can help. I encourage you to visit Stop Sexual Violence website to learn more.  

HONOR CODE

All students at IU are required to adhere to the Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct at all times. Any inappropriate behavior, disruptive conduct (e.g., engaging in hostile or disrespectful commentary on the site, or discussing irrelevant evidence) or non-compliance with faculty directions can result in a charge of Academic and/or Personal Misconduct.

COUNSELING AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES

CAPS has expanded their services. For information about the variety of services offered to students by CAPS.

WRITING TUTORIAL SERVICES

Writing Tutorial Services (WTS) offers students one-on-one help with any phase of the writing process—from brainstorming to revising the final draft. More information can be found in Writing Tutorial Sevices.