HP 400: Culture, Lifestyle, and Health



HP 400: Culture, Lifestyle, and Health

Spring 2009

Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Studies

Monday/Wednesday 12:00-1:50 p.m.

Faculty:

Parvin Shahlapour, MFCC, PhD

Office hours: by appt.

E-Mail: parvinsh@ucla.edu

shahlapo@usc.edu

Teaching Assistant:

Janet Okamoto

E-MAIL: jokamoto@usc.edu

Program Office:

Angela Almer Turk

3375 South Hoover

University Village, Suite E210

Tell: 213/821-1601

Course Description

This course will examine the effects of cultural and lifestyle differences on national and international health status indicators. We will discuss cultural, social, economic, ethnic, and religious perspectives on healthy behaviors, disease, coping, and healing, as well as their effects on rates of infectious and chronic diseases. Using this information as background, we will focus on the prevention of behavioral risk factors for disease. We will examine how inequalities and conflicts stemming from differences influence health outcomes for various populations. The course covers topics in national and international health problems and health behavior, cultural approaches to health promotion, cultural perspectives on conception and contraception, HIV/AIDS, and a wide range of cultural perspectives in relation to health.

Diversity Course Criteria

This course fulfills the Diversity Course Requirement by focusing on how social, economic, racial, religious, and cultural background, gender, and sexual orientation can affect individual health and well-being. It also examines the health impacts of conflict and oppression that can arise from human diversity.

Course Objectives

After completing this course, you will be able do the following:

• Understand the ways in which cultural differences influence health behaviors and health outcomes

• Think critically about the complex interactions between culture, ethnicity, religion, gender, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, and other group identifiers as they relate to health and health behaviors

• Apply your knowledge of the major health issues facing different populations in order to design programs that meet the needs of those populations

• Practice health promotion with cultural sensitivity

• Approach health research with a critical eye toward how subjects’ culture or group identities may affect study results

Learning Methods

• Lectures

• Reading assignments

• Class discussion

• Class collaborative project and presentations

Blackboard

USC’s electronic blackboard system will be used throughout the semester. Lectures, reminders, and messages will be posted. In addition, documents such as the course syllabus and helpful information about the class project will be posted. Please check the Blackboard system at least once a week to ensure that you are kept updated. The Website address for Blackboard is blackboard.usc.edu.

Evaluation Criteria

Attendance and Class Activities: There will be activities during most class sessions that will refer to the material and accompanying readings covered during the session. Each activity is worth a certain amount of points. *There are no make-ups of the daily activities, even for pre-planned or emergency absences.

Midterm Exam: There will be two midterm exams. Midterm #1, 02-18-09 , covers Classes 1- 9. Midterm #2, 04-01-09, covers Classes 11-19

Final Exam: The final exam is scheduled for Friday, May 8th, from 11:00am-1:00pm. The University requires that all instructors adhere to the final examination schedule. The exam will be cumulative and will cover the material addressed during the entire course. Essay questions will be scored according to a grading rubric that will be distributed and discussed in class.

Class Project and Presentation: You will work with your fellow class members on a collaborative project investigating promotion and prevention elements of selected health issues in selected countries and compare them with the US. All topics must be approved in advance by the professor. The collaborative project has two components: a short report and the delivery of a 32 minutes presentation to the class about your topic. Further information about the class project will be distributed and discussed in class.

*Once the date of your presentation is scheduled, it is very difficult to change, as this will disrupt the schedule for the remaining presentations of your fellow students. In the case of a personal/family emergency, with appropriate documentation (for example, a note from a doctor or counselor), I have the option of assessing the feasibility of rescheduling your presentation.

Grades: Grades for the course will be calculated according to the following formula:

1. Midterm #1…..………………………….. 20%.........................100 points possible

2. Midterm #2…..………………………..… 20%.........................100 points possible

3. Class Attendance & Activities…….…….. 20%.........................100 points possible

4. Class Project & presentation……………..20% ………………100 points possible

5. Final Exam ………………………………20% …………….. 100 points possible

Total ………………………………..100%…………….. 500 points possible

Letter grades are assigned according to the following formula:

97-100% = A+ 80-82% = B- 63-66% = D

93-96% = A 77-79% = C+ 60-62% = D-

90-92% = A- 73-76% = C

87-89% = B+ 70-72% = C-

83-86% = B 67-69% = D+

Participation: You are expected to arrive on time, remain for the entire class period, and to engage in active, thoughtful, respectful class participation.

Reading: You are expected to come to class prepared to discuss the assigned reading for that day. During class, you are expected to be prepared to discuss important points from the readings, and to ask questions if there is something you do not understand from the readings or class discussions. It is your choice how much to contribute to active class discussion, but we have found that students who excel in their classes take the time to both read and think about the reading material assigned.

Controversy and Respect: This course covers a wide range of cultural issues, some of which may be controversial. You are expected to be courteous and respectful to fellow students, professors, and guest speakers. If you anticipate ethical or religious objections to any of the material covered in this course, please consult me within the first two weeks of the semester.

Distractions: Please do not take your class time to peruse the student newspaper or do homework from other classes. Cell phones/pagers/loud electronic devices must be turned off during class time. You may choose to take notes on a laptop computer; however, you are expected to refrain from playing computer games, surfing the Web, or working on homework from other classes. All of these activities can impede the learning process for yourself and for your fellow students.

Policy on late work and absences: Make-up exams will not be offered, except in the case of documented personal/family emergencies. In these exceptional cases, appropriate documentation (for example, a note from a doctor or counselor) is required for a student to make-up a missed exam. All other work is expected to be turned in on time, so please plan accordingly.

Academic Integrity: Academic integrity is expected of every student in all academic work. You are held to the University’s Code of Academic Integrity. All USC students are responsible for reading and following the Student Conduct Code, which can be found at . The USC student code prohibits plagiarism. Students who violate University standards for academic integrity are subject to disciplinary sanctions.

Statement for students with disabilities: Any student requesting academic accommodations based on a disability is required to register with Disability Services and Programs (DSP) each semester. A letter of verification for approved accommodations should be obtained from DSP and delivered to me as early in the semester as possible, preferably within the first two weeks. DSP is located in STU 301 and is open 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The phone number for DSP is (213) 740-0776.

Communication Policy: I encourage you to talk to me if you feel you are having problems and need assistance, or even if you simply want to talk about your progress in class. I will be happy to assist you with study tips and guidance on how to improve your performance to earn the grade you desire. You are responsible for keeping all your work until final grades have been assigned. In case of a discrepancy between my calculations and your own, you will want to have them to show your earned points. I take great time and effort to assign grades in a fair, impartial manner. If you wish to discuss your grades with me, you may schedule a meeting to do so. If I made an error in calculating your score, I will correct it immediately. If, however, you wish to offer an extenuating circumstance as a reason for less-than-ideal results on an exam, paper, or presentation, I will offer sympathy and, if appropriate, referral to student academic or support services. I will not change a grade because of these circumstances.

The Final Exam is scheduled for Friday, May 8th, 11:00-1:00pm.

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