Course Description: This course is an introduction to Health Psychology. Health Psychology is a relatively new field which holds the view that health and illness emerge from the interaction of biological. psychological, and social factors. In this course, we will focus on 4 areas within health psychology:

1). Historical views of health and medicine

2). Interaction between social, biological, psychological factors in health

3). Ways to promote health and maintain healthy behavior

4). Specific strategies to improve health and decrease stress in college students

Attendance and Participation: You should plan to attend every class and participate in class discusssions. Moreover, it will will harder to get a top grade if you do not attend regularly since material from class discussions and lectures will be on the test. If you do have to miss a lecture, make sure to get a copy of the notes from someone who is a conscientious note-taker. I make it a policy not to personally provide notes for missed classes.

NOTE: Attendance may be recorded randomly during the lecture part of the class. Students who exhibit a systematic pattern of non-attendance may be dropped from the class.

Examinations: There will be 3 examinations given. THERE IS NO FINAL EXAM. Material will come from both the books and (mostly) lecture. Exams will be made up of multiple choice and T/F. If you are genuinely unable to take an exam due to an excused personal emergency, you should first make every attempt to contact me before class. You will then be able to take a make-up essay exam at the end of the semester.

Article Critiques: You will choose five from any article posted on our website EXCEPT FOR THE REQUIRED ONES. Each 2-page, typed, double-spaced page report ( Font 12 or smaller, normal margins) should first summarize the article and then critically evaluate the conclusion. DUE DATES are specified below. papers are due in class. Each article is worth 10 points. You may also choose an article from a newspaper or scientific journal. If you do this, please turn in a copy of the article, and make sure that the article is substantial enough to provide for a two-page discussion. I prefer you don't use a web-only article.

Health Log: You will be required to maintain a journal which will be collected every 5 weeks or so; dates will be posted on assignment schedule below.

There are two types of entries: Specified and nonspecified. The total number required are listed on our syllabus.

The specified ones are entries on a topic that I will assign. They include aactivities we'll do in class, as well as reflections on a topic I will assign. You will begin the specified ones by completing the Health status exercises we will do in class as way to assess your current state of health. Next, I'd like you to pick or or more behaviors, bad habits etc to try to improve or attain. For example, you might want to improve your diet, stop eating fast food, increase fruits and vegetables, start an exercise program, or try to cut down on smoking.

The non-specified ones are entries that I won't assign a topic for. Some of the non-specified entries should be ones to keep track of your progress towards your target behvaior, noting when you seem to be able to keep on track and when you are most likely to not meet your goals. Other nonspecified entries can be on any topic you chose.

Grading for Health Logs: I plan on collecting the logs at 3 timepoints, assigning 15-19 points per collection. I will count the number of entries per week( should be at least 3) and whether you completed any specific assignment. If so, you will get all points. Points will be deducted for missing assignments or insufficient entries. Make sure that your entries consist of at least 4-5 sentences, Points will be deducted for single line or word entries.

Important Due Dates:

Article Summaries: Feb 6; March 6; April 3; April 22; May 8

LogBooks: Collected on Feb 25; March 20; May 8

Exams: Feb 25; March 20; May 8

Grading Scale:

Academic Honesty: Academic honesty is fundamental to the activities and principles of a university. All members of the academic community must be confident that each person's work has been responsibly and honorably acquired, developed and presented. Any effort to gain an advantage not given to all students is dishonest whether or not the effort is successful. The academic community regards academic dishonesty as an extremely serious matter, with serious consequences that range from probation to expulsion. When in doubt about plagiarism, paraphrasing, quoting, or collaboration, consult the instructor. The University has specific academic dishonesty administrative procedures. In particular, it is NEVER PERMISSIBLE to turn in any WORK THAT HAS BEEN COPIED from another student.

In this course, cheating, or the appearance of it, will result in an automatic Zero on that exam. Such actions include displaying a test for others to see, looking at another person's test paper, attempting to communicate in any manner with another student during the test, or plagiarism. In addition, any incident of cheating will be reported to the provost’s office

Accommodations For Students With Disabilities: If you have a disability and need accommodations (for example, extended testing time, notetakers, large print materials), please inform your instructor privately as soon as possible. Sudents with disablilities seeking academic accommodations should also register with the Access Office, A048 Brady Commons, 882-4696. As necessary, the Access Office will review documentation about your disability and about the need for accommodations you are requesting. The Access Office will then assist in planning for any necessary accommodations.