Syllabus
Master of Science in Applied Nutrition
APN 701 Nutrition, Wellness, and Multimedia Communication — Spring A 2018
Credits - 3
Description
Strategic use of multimedia communications tools in the nutrition and wellness industry will be examined. Theories of mass communication, including contemporary perspectives and their application to current nutrition and wellness practice are emphasized. Topics include professional and ethical approaches to communication, multimedia writing, use of media for Integrated Marketing Communication (IMC), integration of marketing, and branding and public relations in multimedia and marketing campaigns.
Materials
Learning Objectives and Outcomes
Program Objectives:
Learners will know how to:
- Develop and utilize nutrition concepts and best-practices for nutrition and health promotion initiatives (Reinforce)
- Develop communications and collaboration strategies with representatives from government, non-profit, community, and business entities regarding nutrition initiatives (Reinforce)
- Interpret and modify explanations of complex nutrition concepts for various audiences (Reinforce)
Focus Level Objectives:
Learners will know how to:
- Analyze and communicate the impact of social analytics and social media campaigns on nutrition-related business to a variety of audiences (Introduce)
- Employ principles of ethics in social media as they apply to nutrition and wellness (Introduce)
- Create Integrated Marketing Communication (IMC) plans with a focus on nutritional branding (Introduce, Assess)
- Develop business assets for a competitive nutrition and wellness market (Introduce, Assess)
Course Outcomes/Objectives:
Learners will know how to:
- Define multimedia communication
- Analyze nutrition blogs and other forms of communication and identify the elements of a successful multimedia approach
- Analyze the various forms of social media platforms including, in part, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Blogs, YouTube, Wikis, Linkedin, RSS Feeds and how they apply to nutrition education.
- Identify the theories of mass communication
- Define and apply the concepts of Integrated Marketing Communication
- Learn to write in a variety of media formats
- Assess the importance of branding and public relations in multimedia and marketing campaigns
- Define ethical approaches to communication
- Create a nutrition blog utilizing multimedia communication
- Understand the importance of staying current with best practices in communication
Assignments
The Multimedia Campaign Report: Learners will complete a multimedia campaign report that outlines a nutrition-focused, multimedia campaign.
The Blog Project: Learners will start their own blog using a stable blogging platform.
Checkpoint Assignments: Learners will completes smaller, low-stakes assignments related to the key assessments.
Discussion Board:
You will be required to participate in discussions. Initial posts are due on Sundays, and responses are due by Tuesday. If the initial post and response are not submitted within the discussion week you will be given a zero. Posts submitted after the discussion week will not be graded.
Your success in the course relies on robust discussion, critical thinking, and peer-response. Weekly posts responding to prompts posed are meant to facilitate a deeper understanding of the broader themes of the course as well as enrich the readings, handouts, and lectures. Your initial response should be no less than 400 words. Peer-responses should be no less than 200 words and must be thoughtful, contain compliment as well as constructive criticism, and maintain a professional tone.
Furthermore, in regard to all assignments, please observe the following:
- All assignments must be completed using AMA formatting where appropriate.
- All times refer to Eastern Time (ET).
- All questions about assignments, and all questions in general, should be sent through email.
- Extra credit will not be made available.
Writing Statement
As professionals in the field, you will consistently be expected to clearly and concisely articulate advanced concepts for diverse audiences at a variety of educational levels.
Graduate students are expected to produce their best quality work, including screening their work prior to submission for clarity, grammatical, spelling, formatting and mechanical issues.
While there is often a portion of each assignment’s rubric dedicated specifically to grammar, spelling, mechanics, and formatting, it is critical to understand that failure to submit work that has been adequately proofed may result in a reduction of points in other areas of the rubric. These may include, but are not limited to metrics rating professionalism or content knowledge and synthesis; work submitted in graduate courses should provide evidence of strategic reading, writing, and academic speaking skills essential for success in the discipline.
Grading Policy
Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:
Grade Breakdown
| The Multimedia Campaign Report | 15 |
| The Blog Project | 25 |
| Checkpoint Assignments | 20 |
| Discussion Board | 29 |
| Student Syllabus Contract | 1 |
| Reflection Prompt/E-Portfolio | 10 |
| Total | 100 |
Grade Scale
| Grade | Points Grade | Point Average (GPA) |
| A | 94 – 100% | 4.00 |
| A- | 90 – 93% | 3.75 |
| B+ | 87 – 89% | 3.50 |
| B | 84 – 86% | 3.00 |
| B- | 80 – 83% | 2.75 |
| C+ | 77 – 79% | 2.50 |
| C | 74 – 76% | 2.00 |
| C- | 70 – 73% | 1.75 |
| D | 64 – 69% | 1.00 |
| F | 00 – 63% | 0.00 |
Schedule
Weekly Schedule
Week One: 1/3-1/10
Week Two: 1/10-1/17
Week Three: 1/17-1/24
Week Four: 1/24-1/31
Week Five: 1/31-2/7
Week Six: 2/7-2/14
Week Seven: 2/14-2/21
Week Eight: 2/21-2/25
Major Due Dates
- Checkpoint One: 1/10
- Checkpoint Two: 1/17
- Checkpoint Three: 1/24
- Checkpoint Four: 1/24
- Checkpoint Five: 1/31
- Checkpoint Six: 2/7
- Checkpoint Seven: 2/14
- Key Assessment, Part One: 2/21
- Key Assessment, Part Two: 2/21
- Reflection Prompt/ePortfolio: 2/25
- Discussion Board: Every Sunday and Tuesday
Note: You will have to complete surveys before accessing Modules 1 and 8.
Week One: Multimedia Communication Introduction
Weekly Learning Outcomes
- Define multimedia communication and provide examples
- Discuss effective methods of communication nutrition content
- Discuss emerging technologies in communication
- Evaluate current trends in the media and marketing industry
- Navigate the CDC’s Social Marketing Basics website
- Understand the components of the final project
- Navigate the UNE library databases
- Apply AMA referencing style
Lectures
- Lecture 1: Define Multimedia Communication and give overview of final assignment
- Lecture 2: Four stages of the Health Communication Process (Pink Book)
- Library training video
Required Readings
- TextBook: Chapters 1, 2, 3
- See course for additional readings
Assignments
Choose a blog site and create an account and the basic shell of your blog.
Discussions
DB1: Introductions
DB2: Share who your target audience is and what nutrition related issue you want to focus on.
Week Two: Theory
Weekly Learning Outcomes
- Define health communication exchanges utilizing communication theories
- Explain the relationship between communication theories and health communication practices
- Define the popular communication theories
- Begin to understand how to develop programs utilizing theories of behavior change including social cognitive theory, health belief model, stages of change, etc. and multimedia communication
- Explain how ecological factors impact community engagement
Lectures
- Lecture 1: Communication Theory
- Lecture 2: Behavior Change Theory
Required Readings
- TextBook: Chapters 4, 7, 15
Assignments
Create your first blog entry.
Discussions
Find a research article about a nutrition education program (related to your topic) that utilized a behavior change theory.
Week Three: Integrated Marketing Communication
Weekly Learning Outcomes
- Define Integrated Marketing Communication
- Describe social media marketing and the role it plays in IMC
- Define various forms of social media
Lectures
- Lecture 1: Integrated Marketing Communication
- Lecture 2: Social Media Marketing
Required Readings
- TextBook: Chapters 5, 6
- See course for additional readings.
Assignments
Assignment 1: Examine a blog that is related to nutrition.
Assignment 2: Add related photos that you personally took to your blog
Discussions
How will you ensure the 4 C’s of Integrated Marketing Communication are integrated into your campaign/program design?
Week Four: Multimedia Writing and Communication
Weekly Learning Outcomes
- Learn to write in a variety of media formats
- Discuss the aesthetics of design (color, font, graphics)
- Discuss effective health communication methods (scare tactics?)
- Practice with applications of message delivery
Lectures
- Lecture: Multimedia writing and design basics
Required Readings
- TextBook: Chapter 11
- See course for additional readings
Assignments
Utilizing a theory we discussed in week two, write a blog post that defines your campaign strategy.
Discussions
Create one Facebook Post, Tweet, and a text message to support your blog and nutrition topic.
Week Five: Branding and Public Relations in Multimedia and Marketing Campaigns
Weekly Learning Outcomes
- Describe the importance of health literacy
- Understand the importance of culture in nutrition campaigns
- Analyze the impact of social media on branding effects
- Define brand evaluation
Lectures
- Lecture: Health Literacy and Culture
Required Readings
- TextBook: Chapters 8, 9
- See course for additional readings
Assignments
Create a video for your blog defining your brand.
Discussions
This week please discuss culture and its importance.
Week Six: Professional and Ethical Approaches to Communication
Weekly Learning Outcomes
- Define communication ethics
- Define the fundamentals and principles of ethical communication
- Explain ethic in general and how it relates to communication
- Discuss professional communication ethical conflicts and dilemmas
- Define the Principles of Truthfulness
Lectures
- Lecture: Ethics and Communication
Required Readings
- TextBook: Chapters 10, 12
- See course for additional readings
Assignments
Define your campaign strategy.
Discussions
Submit the current state of your blog for peer feedback.
Week Seven: Campaign/Program Evaluation
Weekly Learning Outcomes
- Define how to evaluate campaign/program effectiveness
- Utilize the CDC Evaluation module on understanding methods to determine if the campaign/program is being effective
- Discuss how to achieve maximum impact
Lectures
- Lecture: Importance of Evaluation
Required Readings
- TextBook: Chapters 13, 14
- See course for additional readings.
Assignments
Submit Final Paper and Blog Link
Discussions
How will you evaluate the success of your blog and the nutrition education provided?
Week Eight: Nutrition Educators and the Strategic Use of Multimedia Communication
Weekly Learning Outcomes
- Define how to keep up with best practices in communication
- Understand the importance of continuing education
Lectures
- Lecture: Continuing Education
Required Readings
See course for readings.
Assignments
ePortfolio/Reflection Assignment
Discussions
How do you plan to stay current in the field of nutrition education and multimedia communication?
Student Resources
Online Student Support
Your Student Support Specialist is a resource for you. Please don't hesitate to contact them for assistance, including, but not limited to course planning, current problems or issues in a course, technology concerns, or personal emergencies.
Questions? Visit the Student Support Applied Nutrition page
UNE Libraries:
- Library Access for all students: Your library login ID and password are the same as the ones you use to log into Blackboard/Brightspace.
- Applied Nutrition Database
- Library Tutorial: Find an article
- Library Questions: Ask a librarian or phone library staff at (207) 602-2361 or (207) 221-4330.
UNE Student Academic Success Center
The Student Academic Success Center (SASC) offers a range of services to support your academic achievement, including tutoring, writing support, test prep and studying strategies, learning style consultations, and many online resources. To make an appointment for tutoring, writing support, or a learning specialist consultation, go to une.tutortrac.com. To access our online resources, including links, guides, and video tutorials, please visit:
Information Technology Services (ITS)
- ITS Contact: Toll Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week at 1-877-518-4673
Accommodations
Any student who would like to request, or ask any questions regarding, academic adjustments or accommodations must contact the Student Access Center at (207) 221-4438 or pcstudentaccess@une.edu. Student Access Center staff will evaluate the student's documentation and determine eligibility of accommodation(s) through the Student Access Center registration procedure.
Policies
AMA Writing Style Statement
In keeping with the requirements of the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, the American Medical Association (AMA) Manual of Style, 11th edition is the required writing format for this course and is available at both UNE libraries under the title "AMA Manual." Additional support for academic writing and AMA format is provided throughout the coursework as well as at the UNE Portal for Online Students.
Online resources: AMA Style Guide
Turnitin Originality Check and Plagiarism Detection Tool
The College of Professional Studies uses Turnitin to help deter plagiarism and to foster the proper attribution of sources. Turnitin provides comparative reports for submitted assignments that reflect similarities in other written works. This can include, but is not limited to, previously submitted assignments, internet articles, research journals, and academic databases.
Make sure to cite your sources appropriately as well as use your own words in synthesizing information from published literature. Webinars and workshops, included early in your coursework, will help guide best practices in AMA citation and academic writing.
You can learn more about Turnitin in the Turnitin Student quick start guide.
Technology Requirements
Please review the technical requirements for UNE Online Graduate Programs: Technical Requirements
Course Evaluation Policy
Course surveys are one of the most important tools that University of New England uses for evaluating the quality of your education, and for providing meaningful feedback to instructors on their teaching. In order to assure that the feedback is both comprehensive and precise, we need to receive it from each student for each course. Evaluation access is distributed via UNE email at the beginning of the last week of the course.
Attendance Policy
Online students are required to submit a graded assignment/discussion prior to Sunday evening at 11:59 pm ET of the first week of the term. If a student does not submit a posting to the graded assignment/discussion prior to Sunday evening at 11:59 pm ET, the student will be automatically dropped from the course for non-participation. Review the full attendance policy.
Late Policy
Assignments: Late assignments will be accepted up to 3 days late; however, there is a 10% grade reduction (from the total points) for the late submission. After three days the assignment will not be accepted.
Discussion posts: If the initial post is submitted late, but still within the discussion board week, there will be a 10% grade reduction from the total discussion grade (e.g., a 3 point discussion will be reduced by 0.3 points). Any posts submitted after the end of the Discussion Board week will not be graded.
Please make every effort ahead of time to contact your instructor and your student support specialist if you are not able to meet an assignment deadline. Arrangements for extenuating circumstances may be considered by faculty.
Student Handbook Online - Policies and Procedures
The policies contained within this document apply to all students in the College of Graduate and Professional Studies. It is each student's responsibility to know the contents of this handbook.
UNE Course Withdrawal
Please contact your student support specialist if you are considering dropping or withdrawing from a course. The last day to drop for 100% tuition refund is the 2nd day of the course. Financial Aid charges may still apply. Students using Financial Aid should contact the Financial Aid Office prior to withdrawing from a course.
Academic Integrity
The University of New England values academic integrity in all aspects of the educational experience. Academic dishonesty in any form undermines this standard and devalues the original contributions of others. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to actively uphold the integrity of the academy; failure to act, for any reason, is not acceptable. For information about plagiarism and academic misconduct, please visit UNE Plagiarism Policies.
Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:
- Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
- Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
- Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
- Multiple submissions of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
- Plagiarism, the appropriation of records, research, materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.
Charges of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the Program Director. Penalties for students found responsible for violations may depend upon the seriousness and circumstances of the violation, the degree of premeditation involved, and/or the student’s previous record of violations. Appeal of a decision may be made to the Dean whose decision will be final. Student appeals will take place through the grievance process outlined in the student handbook.