This course will introduce undergraduate and graduate students to the field of health literacy through readings, discussions, and in-class exercises. Clear and distinct criteria for participation and grading are established for both graduate and undergraduate students, but everyone is expected and required to interact during the class discussions.

Health literacy is defined as the wide range of skills and competencies that people develop to seek out, comprehend, evaluate, and use health information and concepts to make informed choices, reduce health risks, and increase quality of life (Zarcadoolas, Pleasant, & Greer, 2005; 2006). Health literacy is a key component of the complex relationship between knowledge, attitudes, behavior, and health outcomes from the individual to the societal level (Nielsen-Bohlman et al., 2004). For example, a health literate person is able to improve individual health decision-making; benefits from healthier lifestyle choices; is more aware of the social, economic, and environmental determinants of health; and is better prepared to engage in individual and collective actions which may improve the status of those determinants (Nutbeam, 2000).

Class meeting times and location:

Tuesdays 6:00 – 9:00 pm

Blake Hall 131, Cook College campus of Rutgers, New Brunswick

A map is here at http://maps.rutgers.edu/building.aspx?id=36

Course web site:

Information that is extremely critical to your success in this class is available via this web site. Visit it early and often. I will not print out or distribute copies of the syllabus. The information is on this web site and will be updated throughout the semester to reflect actual events.