308.721.81
Catalyzing Change Part 1: Practical Approaches to Health Policy
Location
Internet
Term
4th Term
Department
Health Policy and Management
Credit(s)
3
Academic Year
2025 - 2026
Instruction Method
Asynchronous Online with Some Synchronous Online
Auditors Allowed
No
Available to Undergraduate
No
Grading Restriction
Letter Grade or Pass/Fail
Course Instructor(s)
Contact Name
Frequency Schedule
Every Year
Resources
Prerequisite
Introduction to Online Learning, Formulating Policy: Strategies and Systems of Policymaking in the 21st Century (300.712) and Health Advocacy (301.645) are required.
Enrollment Restriction
This course is not restricted.
Public health professionals hold the knowledge to formulate policies that can transform our health and communities, but expertise alone does not advance those policies. Amidst a polarized political landscape, this course is designed to provide strategic skills to effectively engage decision-makers and bridge partisan divides. Each student will be able to focus on their interest areas and how to craft persuasive arguments, adapt to political shifts, and build alliances across party lines. The course’s aim is to equip students with the tools to navigate the complex political terrain and turn their knowledge into impactful, sustainable public health policies.
Transforms public health researchers into policy champions. Provides a set of analytical frameworks and skills to effectively advance policies that improve the public’s health and reduce health disparities. Uses case studies, policy analysis tools, and engaged class discussions to foster student learning.
Learning Objectives
Upon successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
- Identify key data, analysis, and assessment needs for driving specific policy changes
- Translate complex public health problems into actionable policy solutions
- Identify appropriate levels/jurisdictions for targeted policy change
- Assess critical factors of target policy – fiscal, social, administrative, political, legal, ethical, and cultural – to understand strengths and weaknesses of potential policy changes
- Design earned media reports and other communication tools to educate and advance advocacy objectives
- Analyze, identify, and address key and diverse audiences for policy change
Upon successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
Methods of Assessment
This course is evaluated as follows:
- 25% Participation
- 75% Written Assignment(s)