PSY 3405 Course Outline 1 NEW YORK CITY COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY SOCIAL SCIENCE DEPARTMENT PSYCHOLOGY DISCIPLINE MOST RECENT REVISION: Dr. Eric M. Rodriguez 04/15/2012 COURSE CODE: PSY 3405 COURSE NAME: Health Psychology COURSE INFORMATION: 3 Class Hours, 3 Credits COURSE CO/PREREQUISITES: PSY 1101 (Introduction to Psychology) and ENG 1101 (English Composition I) CATALOG DESCRIPTION: An overview of existing psychological and epidemiological data on the relationship between behavior and disease is presented. How behavior, emotion and cognition can influence disease processes is explored. The impact of stress and personal control on specific coronary, immune and infectious disease symptoms is examined. Social support, referral and interventions for optimal physical and mental health are introduced. COURSE DESCRIPTION: In 1992, the World Health Organization (WHO) defined the term health as a state of complete, physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease and infirmity. This course will provide you with an overview of existing psychological and epidemiological data on the relationship between the mind, behavior, health and disease. You will explore how behavior, emotion, cognition, personality and even one s social environment can influence disease processes from both patient and caregiver perspectives. While the impact of stress and personal control on physical health and human body systems will be examined, we will also explore how social support, coping styles, and preventative interventions impact an individual s overall quality of life. Classes will consist of lecture, in-class activities, and between-class activities as well as answering any and all of your questions that arise in relation to Health Psychology. RECOMMENDED TEXTS: Ragin, D. F. (2011). Health Psychology: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Health. Boston, MA: Prentice Hall. (Required). Association for Psychological Science (APS), Miller, G, & Chen, E. (2005). Current Directions in Health Psychology. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall. (Supplementary Text). American Psychological Association (APA). (2009). Publication Manual, Sixth Edition. (2009). Washington, D.C.: APA. (Supplementary Text).
PSY 3405 Course Outline 2 SAMPLE SEQUENCE OF TOPICS AND APPROXIMATE TIME ALLOCATIONS: The following sample is for a class that meets once per week, 2.5 hours per class, 15 class sessions per semester. Sequence of topics and time allocations should be adjusted accordingly for classes that meeting two to three times per week. TOPIC TIME ALLOCATION Introductions and Housekeeping Class #1 What is Health Psychology? Brief History of Health Class #2 Research Methods in Health Psychology Class #3 Global Communicable & Chronic Diseases Class #4 Theories & Models of Behavior Change Class #5 Risky Health Behaviors Class #6 Emotional Health & Wellbeing Class #7 Midterm Examination Class #8 Covering Material from Class #1 through Class #7 Stress & Coping Class #9 HIV/AIDS Class #10 Cardiovascular Disease Class #11 Chronic Pain Management Class #12 Cancer Class #13 Health Care Systems, Health Policy & Health Outcomes Final Examination Covering Material from Class #9 through Class #14 Class #14 Class #15
PSY 3405 Course Outline 3 SAMPLE INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES AND ASSESSMENT METHODS LEARNING OUTCOME 1). Demonstrate theoretical approaches to health psychology 2). Demonstrate psychological principles that can be applied to enhance biomedical approaches for promoting health and treating illness ASSESSMENT METHOD Discussion and quizzes in class; contents of Discussion Forum on Blackboard; in-class exams Classroom discussions; in-class and online quizzes; contents of Discussion Forum on Blackboard; in-class exams; writing assignments; presentation project 3). Awareness of the experiences of patients in the hospital setting, factors that affect adherence to medical regimens, and sources of problems in patient/practitioner relationships 4). Demonstrate nature of stress, its effects on health, and common coping mechanisms of stress 5). Awareness of the impact that disabling or life-threatening illnesses have on patients and their families 6). Demonstrate the difficulty patients experience in deciding whether or when to seek treatment for disturbing symptoms 7). Applying theoretical learning from the classroom to real-world settings Classroom discussions; assignments; inclass exams Application assignments; class-room and online discussions; in-class exams Classroom discussions and in-class exams Application assignments; classroom and online discussions; in-class exams Application assignments; writing skills; reading submitted assignments 8). Demonstrate basic research skills Application assignments and presentations 9. Demonstrate ability to work effectively in a group setting Group project; research skills; presentation skills; collegiality
PSY 3405 Course Outline 4 SAMPLE GENERAL EDUCATION LEARNING OUTCOMES AND ASSESSMENT METHODS General Education Learning Outcomes for this class are based on guidelines published in 2007 by the American Psychological Association (APA Guidelines for the Undergraduate Psychology Major; www.apa.org/ed/resources.html), and cover knowledge, skills, and values consistent with the science and application of psychology, as well as with a liberal arts education. LEARNING OUTCOME 1). Critical Thinking Skills: Students will respect and use critical and creative thinking, skeptical inquiry, and, when possible, the scientific approach to solve problems related to behavior and mental processes. 2). Information and Technological Literacy: Students will demonstrate information competence and the ability to use computers and other technology for many purposes. 3). Communication Skills: Students will be able to communicate effectively in a variety of formats, including both oral and written communication. 4). Sociocultural and International Awareness: Students will recognize, understand, and respect the complexity of sociocultural and international diversity. 5). Personal Development: Students will develop insight into their own and others behavior and mental processes and apply effective strategies for self-management and self-improvement. 6). Career Planning and Development: Students will emerge from the major with realistic ideas about how to implement their psychological knowledge, skills, and values in occupational pursuits in a variety of settings. ASSESSMENT METHOD Midterm and final exam questions (MC, TF, matching, short answers, definitions, essays) In-class active learning activity, review and discussion of personality based research articles. Performance on in-class discussions and debates, weekly out-of-class writing assignments Midterm and final exam questions (MC, TF, matching, short answers, definitions, essays) narrative analysis of biographical or autobiographical life stories in-class group activity, performance on inclass discussions and debates,.
PSY 3405 Course Outline 5 SAMPLE ASSIGNMENTS AND COURSE REQUIREMENTS: A student s grade for this class could be broken down as follows: Class Attendance and Participation (100 points): 20% Weekly Assignments (100 points): 20% Health Psychology Presentation (100 points): 20% Mid-term Examination (100 points): 20% Final Examination (100 points): 20% SAMPLE METHOD OF GRADING: Class attendance and participation, weekly writing assignments, biographical narrative analysis, the midterm examination and the final examination are worth 100 points each and all add up to 500 total points. The number of points you earned will be divided by the total number of points you could have earned (500), thus computing the percentage that will determine your final grade as follows (grade breakdown based on City Tech guidelines published in the Student Handbook and the College Catalog): A = 93 and higher C+ = 77-79 A- = 90-92 C = 70-76 B+ = 87-89 D = 60-69 B = 83-86 F = 59 and below B- = 80-82 ACADEMIC INTEGRITY POLICTY STATEMENT: Students and all others who work with information, ideas, texts, images, music, inventions, and other intellectual property owe their audience and sources accuracy and honest in using, crediting, and citing sources. As a community of intellectual and professional workers, the college recognizes its responsibility for providing instruction in information literacy and academic integrity, offering models of good practice, and responding vigilantly and appropriately to infractions of academic integrity. Accordingly, academic dishonesty is prohibited in The City University of New York and at New York City College of Technology and is punishable by penalties, including failing grades, suspension, and expulsion. The complete text of the college policy on academic integrity may be found in the catalog. COLLEGE POLICY ON ABSENCE/LATENESS: A student may be absent without penalty for 10% of the number of scheduled class meetings during the semester as follows: Class Meets Allowable Absence 1 time/week 2 classes 2 times/week 3 classes 3 times/week 4 classes