August 17, 2006 |
Picture of Health
Keck and SCA Offer New Minor For Medical Professionals
Without first-hand knowledge of cinema-television production, researchers and clinicians often find establishing clear lines of communication with television and movie producers a difficult and challenging situation. Since most Americans are now receiving a great deal of their health information from movies and television, avoiding inaccuracies and ensuring the latest research or advances in clinical practice are accurately represented is key for both the health professions and media outlets. With those factors in mind, the Keck School of Medicine of USC and the School of Cinematic Arts have joined together to offer a brand new 24-unit minor called “Cinema-Television for the Health Professions.”“Given the increasing need to involve entertainment media in the dissemination of accurate health information and the high level of interest in film and television, this was a perfect opportunity to train the next generation of health professionals,” said Assistant Professor of Clinical Research and Preventive Medicine Elahe Nezami, Ph.D., who proposed the program. “We’re confident that with this training, USC graduates will be well equipped to disseminate accurate and up-to-date health information to the public,” added Nezami, who also serves at Keck as the Undergraduate Program Director in Health Promotion & Disease Prevention Studies.
Of the two required core classes, CTCS 190-Introduction to Cinema and CNTV 345-Health Issues in Entertainment Media, the latter was designed specifically for the program and will be taught by one faculty member from Health Promotion along with Cinematic Arts Professor Doe Mayer.
“There is an increasing demand for health-based media production, as well as educational and instructional programs, advertising and even new games for health,” said Mayer, who has an extensive background in the field. Over the course of her career, Mayer has produced, directed and provided technical support for worldwide projects in the areas of family planning, health and nutrition promotion, HIV/AIDS prevention, women’s issues and more.
“This really is a multi-disciplinary course that looks at a topic from two very different perspectives,” Mayer noted, pointing out that the electives cover the broad spectrum of cinema-television.
Although students from the biological sciences, chemistry, kinesiology, health promotion and disease prevention studies, and environmental studies are just some of majors expected to be enroll, the Cinema-Television for the Health Professions Minor is open to all fields of study.
For more information, visit the minor Website or call 213.740.1060.
