assignment 1 EG
scotchsoda
overview.docxOverview
This course addresses the impact of psychological and social processes on health. Most major illnesses of the last 50 years have at least some behavioral component. For example, the current number one killer is cardiovascular disease, which is associated with behaviors such as smoking, diet, and exercise, and exacerbated by exposure to long-term stress. Thus, health psychologists are interested in answering questions such as: Why do people smoke? How do people stop smoking? What are successful ways to help people adopt healthy diets? What causes stress and how can people learn to cope successfully with it? In our efforts to answer these and many other questions, we will address the following:
· health behaviors, including those that enhance health and those that compromise it
· the impact of stress on health and strategies for successful coping
· how people use health services and communicate with their health care providers
· pain and its management
· issues related to chronic illness
· specific aspects of the most prevalent diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, AIDS and cancer
· the physiological aspects of exposure to stress and the major diseases we will be discussing.
As you learn about how psychological and social elements interact with biological factors to produce a particular state of health, you will need to keep in mind an important factor that underlies everything you learn about the current knowledge of health psychology. Most of the information you will be introduced to is based on research conducted by psychologists. As you probably know, research on health and illness is burgeoning. As you probably also know, it is not uncommon to find long-standing ideas about health and illness questioned by new studies. For example, up until recently, estrogen replacement was recommended for women after menopause, partly due to its ability to protect against cardiovascular disease. But in 2002, a large-scale study called the "Women's Health Initiative" was halted half-way through because the data showed that women taking hormone replacement (estrogen plus progestin) had increased risk for heart disease and stroke. Thus, along with the "facts" you will learn how to evaluate the research and the health-related information that you find on the internet or through other media. To do this you will need to be familiar with the types of research conducted by health psychologists and the validity of the conclusions drawn by these studies. In addition, you will also learn how to critique information from TV, newspapers and the Internet, which is where most people get their health information.
A second important feature about this course is that, as you read about the theories and ideas expressed by health psychologists, you will recognize yourself, your family, friends and acquaintances. Thus, you have a good opportunity to use your personal experiences as examples to make the material real to you. This will make the course more interesting and will also help you learn the material more easily. You will have several opportunities to use your personal experience for assignments in the course.
Finally, as you will find out in the course, social interaction is an important feature of good health. It is also a good way to enhance learning. Thus, the course will be "team-based." You will be assigned to a small team (4 - 5 students) early in the semester and you will rely on your team members for team discussion, projects and a source of help if needed.
After taking this course, students will be able to:
· Explain why the field of health psychology exists and how it developed.
· Describe methods used to study issues of health psychology and evaluate and critically analyze research in health psychology.
· Define and describe health behaviors, how they are related to health and illness, and strategies for maintaining behaviors that enhance health and stopping behaviors that compromise health.
· Apply concepts of health psychology to real-life experiences.
· Explain how stress is studied, how it affects physiological and psychological functioning and what factors enhance or reduce its effects.
· Describe the major issues associated with patient-provider relationships and treatment of pain and chronic illness.
· Describe unique health-related features of major diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer.
The following materials are required and may be purchased from MBS Direct:
Required Text
· Taylor, S. E. (2015). Health psychology. 9th edition. New York: McGraw Hill. (ISBN 9780077861810)
Additional materials (available through Course Reserves)
This course requires that you access Penn State library materials specifically reserved for this course.
· If your course is using ANGEL, you can access these materials by selecting the Student Resources link in the main menu, then select Library Reserves.
· If your course is using Canvas, you can access these materials by selecting the Library Resources link in your course navigation, or by accessing the Library E-Reserves Search and search for your instructor's last name.
The following materials have been placed on ereserve:
· Brannon, L. & Fiest, J. (2007). Health psychology; An introduction to behavior and health. Chapter 2.
· Daniel, E. L. (2005). Taking sides: Clashing views in health and society. Issues 7, 10 and 11.
· Sapolsky, R. (2004). Why zebras don’t get ulcers: The acclaimed guide to stress, stress-related diseases, and coping. New York: Henry Holt and Company. Chapters 1 – 4.
For pricing and ordering information, please see the MBS Direct website . MBS Direct can also be contacted at 1-800-325-3252. Materials will be available at MBS Direct approximately three weeks before the course begins. It is very important that you purchase the correct materials. If your course requires one or more textbooks, you must have exactly the correct text required (edition and year).
Many of Penn State's library resources can be utilized from a distance. Through the University Libraries website, you can
· access magazine, journal, and newspaper articles online using library databases;
· borrow materials and have them delivered to your doorstep...or even your desktop;
· get research help via e-mail, chat, or phone using the Ask a Librarian service ; and much more.
You must have an active Penn State Access Account to take full advantage of the University Libraries' resources and services. Once you have a Penn State account, you will automatically be registered with the library within 24–48 hours. If you would like to check that your registration has been completed, visit the Libraries home page , click on Library Accounts, and then click on My Library Account.
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Technical Requirements |
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Operating System |
Penn State's LMS, Canvas, supports most recent versions of Microsoft Windows and Apple Mac operating systems. To determine if your operating system is supported, please review the Canvas Computer Specifications . |
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Hardware |
For a list of required computer hardware specifications and internet speed, please review the Canvas Computer Specifications . |
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Browser |
Canvas supports the last two versions of every major browser release. We highly recommend updating to the newest version of whatever browser you are using as well as the most up-to-date Flash plug-in. To determine if your browser is supported, please review the list of Canvas Supported Browsers .
Note: Cookies, Java, and JavaScript must be enabled. Pop-up blockers should be configured to permit new windows from Penn State websites. |
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Plug-ins |
Adobe Reader [ Download from Adobe ] Flash Player [ Download from Adobe ] Java [ Download from Oracle ] - The Java plug-in is required for screen sharing in Conferences. Please note that some browsers do not support Java. |
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Additional Software |
Microsoft Office (2007 or later) |
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Printer |
Access to graphics-capable printer |
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DVD-ROM |
Required |
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Sound Card, Microphone, and Speakers |
Required |
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Monitor |
Capable of at least 1024 x 768 resolution |
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Mobile Device |
The Canvas mobile app is available for versions of iOS and Android. To determine if your device is capable of using the Canvas Mobile App, please review the Canvas Mobile App Requirements . |
If you need technical assistance at any point during the course, please contact the HelpDesk .
For registration, advising, disability services, help with materials, exams, general problem solving, visit World Campus Student Services !
The assignments are a mix of quizzes, individual papers, team projects, and exams. Each assignment is marked to indicate whether it is an individual assignment or a team assignment.
You will complete some of the assignments individually (quizzes and personal reflections). However, some assignments will be done in a team. You will be assigned to a team by the second week of the semester and will work with the same team throughout the semester. You will address discussion questions with members of your team and you will complete many of the assignments with them as well. The focus on team activities in the course has several objectives. First of all, we learn better when we can interact with other people. Second of all, working in a team takes some of the pressure off of each individual when it comes to creating an assignment. And finally, in most cases your work experience will involve working with others. Each team project will include a peer review that will allow you to rate your team mates. The team score for the project will be modified by the combination of peer ratings. This procedure is designed to reduce the incidence of team members who don’t contribute a reasonable amount to the work of the team.
Working in teams may not come naturally to you and it is important that you know what to expect from being in a team and that you follow certain procedures so that your team work will go as smoothly as possible. Penn State has several resources to help you work effectively in teams. Before you start your first team project, check out one of the following links:
· PSU Teaching and Learning with Technology: Building Blocks for Teams
· PSU Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence: iStudy Modules for Teams and Groups
Individual and team paper requirements
Unless otherwise noted in specific paper instructions, all papers must meet the following requirements: 3 to 5 pages, 1.5-spaced or double-spaced, Arial font size 12 pt., and 1" margins.
Quizzes (10 @ various points, 230 points total)
There are 10 quizzes in the course, 1 is 10 points, 7 are 20 points, and 2 are 30 points. The quizzes are mostly multiple choice and multiple select items, with a few short essays or fill-in-the- blank. The short essay quiz questions must be written in your own words to show that you can not only locate the answer, but that you understand it well enough to discuss it. The quizzes will require knowledge and comprehension of the issues in health psychology as well as the ability to apply them. If you read the assigned reading over carefully, you should be able to take the quiz with your book available to refer to in the allotted time.
You will be given 40 or 60 minutes to complete each quiz. The next point is very important: Once you open the quiz, the timer will start and you will not be able to stop the timer. If you close the quiz once it is started, you will not be able to return to it. Note that you are only allowed one submission of your answers. If time expires the quiz will autosubmit and any questions that are unanswered will count as incorrect. Be sure that you can devote 40 or 60 continuous minutes to the quiz. It is suggested that you become familiar with the text material and lesson commentary before starting the quiz, find a location that is free from potential distractions, and make arrangements ahead of time to avoid interruptions.
Personal Reflection Assignments (Individual; 3 @ 30 points each)
Making connections between what you read and your own experience is a powerful way to learn this material. Assignments for lessons 3, 6 and 7 are individual reflections in which you will be asked to reflect and write about how your own personal experience as it relates to the information in each lesson.
Profile Assignments (Team; 3 @ 40 points each)
In the profile assignments, for lessons 5, 9 and 11, you will take the personal connection to the material to a higher level than you do in your personal reflections. In these assignments, you will collaborate with your team members and use your collective experience and your creativity to construct a profile that appropriately represents the issues from the lesson.
Discussions (7 @ 5 points each)
Seven lessons will include some discussion between you and your team members. These will enable you to think more deeply about some of the issues discussed in the materials for each lesson.
Your discussion posting will earn points, depending on the quality of the posting (e.g., argument, reasoning, how you defend yourself, etc.). If you simply state that "Jen’s comments are excellent. I agree with her" or "I like your argument," you will receive no credit for this posting.
Midterm Exam (50 points)
The midterm exam will cover cover material from the first 7 lessons. You are encouraged to re-read the textbook, material from the Library Reserve, the commentaries, and any notes you've taken before you begin this timed exam. Because there is a hand graded component to the Midterm Exam, your results will be available starting Wednesday after it is due until the end of that week.
Final Exam (50 points)
The final exam will focus mostly on the material and reading assignments that followed the midterm exam, but will also assess your overall understanding of Health Psychology. Therefore, you are encouraged to re-read assignments from lessons 9 through 13, and be sure that you have a good understanding of the basic concepts of Health Psychology, and the interaction between psychological and physiological well being before you begin this timed exam. Because there is a hand graded component to the Final Exam, your results will be available starting Wednesday after it is due until the end of that week.
Peer Evaluation: by team members
See Lesson 5, 9, and 11, which are the part of the Profile Assignments.
Assignment Policies
You are responsible for reading the material and completing all assignments by the due date listed. Please include your name and the course number on all assignments.
Late Policy
This is a semester-based course with deadlines. Students are expected to complete work by posted deadlines. Please check the course schedule for the times and dates that assignments are due in this course (times are listed in Eastern Time in North America). Please contact your instructor to discuss legitimate and unavoidable situations that may cause lateness (such as illness, injury or family emergency). If you know that you are going to miss a deadline, please contact your instructor in advance of that deadline to discuss an extension (or if you are not able to contact the instructor before the deadline, as soon as you are able). Decisions regarding extensions will be made at the discretion of the instructor on a case-by-case basis. In the absence of a legitimate and unavoidable situation, late work will be accepted at the discretion of the instructor and will be penalized up to 10% of the total assignment points for each day of lateness. Unless there is a legitimate and unavoidable situation that causes prolonged lateness, work more than 1 week late will not be accepted.
Course grades will be determined on the following basis:
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Table 1. Determination of Grades |
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Assignments |
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Lesson |
Points |
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Quizzes |
Individual |
1: Quiz 1 |
20 |
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2: Quiz 2 |
20 |
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4: Quiz 3 |
20 |
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6: Quiz 4 |
20 |
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7: Quiz 5 |
20 |
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9: Quiz 6.1 |
20 |
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9: Quiz 6.2 |
20 |
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10: Quiz 7.1 |
18 |
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10: Quiz 7.2 |
12 |
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11: Quiz 8 |
20 |
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12: Quiz 9 |
30 |
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13: Quiz 10 |
10 |
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Personal Reflection Assignments |
Individual |
3: Health Behaviors |
30 |
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6: Stress |
30 |
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7: Coping |
30 |
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Profile Assignments |
Team |
5: Smoking/Drinking |
40 |
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9: Patient Provider Communication |
40 |
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11: Cardiovascular Disease |
40 |
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Discussions |
Team |
2, 4, 6 (2 for this lesson), 8, 9, 10 |
7 (35 total) |
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Midterm |
Individual |
8: Midterm Exam |
50 |
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Final |
Individual |
13: Final Exam |
50 |
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Total Points |
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575 |
Grades will be based on the total number of points acquired. The following grading scale will be used to determine your overall course grade:
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Table 2. Grading Scale |
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Points |
Percentage |
Letter Grade |
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534.75 - 575 |
93% - 100% |
A |
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517.5 - 534.74 |
90% - 92.9% |
A- |
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500.25 - 517.49 |
87.0% - 89.9% |
B+ |
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477.25 - 500.24 |
83% - 86.9% |
B |
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460.00 - 477.24 |
80.0% - 82.9% |
B- |
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442.75 - 459.99 |
77.0% - 79.9% |
C+ |
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402.50- 442.74 |
70.0% - 76.9% |
C |
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345 - 402.49 |
60.0% - 69.9% |
D |
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0 - 344.99 |
0% - 59.9% |
F |
Please refer to the University Grading Policy for Undergraduate Courses for additional information about University grading policies.
If, for reasons beyond the student's control, a student is prevented from completing a course within the prescribed time, the grade in that course may be deferred with the concurrence of the instructor. The symbol DF appears on the student's transcript until the course has been completed. Non-emergency permission for filing a deferred grade must be requested by the student before the beginning of the final examination period. In an emergency situation, an instructor can approve a deferred grade after the final exam period has started. Under emergency conditions during which the instructor is unavailable, authorization is required from one of the following: the dean of the college in which the candidate is enrolled; the executive director of the Division of Undergraduate Studies if the student is enrolled in that division or is a provisional student; or the campus chancellor of the student's associated Penn State campus. For additional information please refer to the Deferring a Grade page.
Note: All due dates reflect North American eastern time (ET).
· Some weeks cover two lessons. Please check the course schedule below carefully. A week is provided for completion of each of the course lessons. You may move faster if your background permits. However, team members should work together on the weekly application problems.
· Course begins August 22, 2016
· Course ends December 9, 2016
· Course length: 16 weeks
All assignments are due by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on the last day of the lesson unless otherwise noted.
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Lesson 1: What is Health Psychology |
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Time Frame |
August 22 to August 28, 2016 |
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Reading |
· Taylor - Chapter 1 |
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Assignments |
· Before you begin your assignments, please complete the Academic Integrity Form · Pre-course survey (ungraded) · Health Psychology Knowledge Quiz (ungraded) · Quiz 1 (Individual; 20 points) |
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Lesson 2: Research Issues in Health Psychology |
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Time Frame |
August 29 to September 4, 2016 |
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Readings |
· Melanoma Rates Increase Among Younger Women · Brannon and Fiest - Chapter 2 (ereserve) |
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Assignments |
· Lesson 2 Self-Quiz (ungraded) · Tanning Bed Team Discussion (5 points) · Quiz 2 (Individual; 20 points) |
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Lesson 4: Health-Enhancing Behaviors |
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Time Frame |
September 12 to September 18, 2016 |
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Readings |
· Taylor - Chapter 4, Chapter 5 (p. 78-92) |
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Assignments |
· Breast Self Exam Discussion (5 points) · Quiz 3 (Individual; 20 points) |
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Lesson 5: Health-Compromising Behaviors |
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Time Frame |
September 19 to September 25, 2016 |
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Readings |
· Taylor - Chapter 5 (p. 92-107) |
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Assignments |
· Smoking/Drinking Profile Team Assignment (40 points) · Peer Evaluation: All classmates do Peer Evaluation of team members |
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Time Frame |
October 3 to October 9, 2016 |
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Readings |
· Taylor - Chapter 7 |
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Assignments |
· Quiz 5 (Individual; 20 points) · Coping Personal Reflection (Individual; 30 points) |
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Lesson 8: Putting it All Together |
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Time Frame |
October 10 to October 16, 2016 |
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Readings |
· Review all previous readings and Lesson Commentaries |
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Assignments |
· Cope with Stress Discussion (5 points) · Midterm Exam (50 points) |
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Lesson 10: Management of Chronic and Terminal Illness |
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Time Frame |
October 31 to November 6, 2016 |
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Readings |
· Taylor - Chapter 11 and 12 |
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Assignments |
· Team Discussion of Patient Provider Relations Profile (5 points) · Quiz 7.1 (Individual; 18 points) · Quiz 7.2 (Individual; 12 points) · Right to Die Discussion (5 points) |
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Lesson 11: Heart Disease, Hypertension, Stroke, Diabetes |
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Time Frame |
November 7 to November 20, 2016 (two weeks) PLEASE NOTE: Your team project and peer evaluations are due on Sunday, November 13 by 11:59 pm ET. All other assignments for this lesson are due on Sunday, November 20 at 11:59 pm ET. |
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Readings |
· Taylor - Chapter 13, · Taylor - Chapter 2 (p. 20 - 22) · Sapolsky – Ch. 3 ("Stroke, Heart Attacks, and Voodoo Death") and 4 ("Stress, Metabolism, and Liquidating Your Assets") (ereserve) |
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Assignments |
· Cardiovascular Disease Profile Team Assignment (40 points) · Peer Evaluation: All classmates do Peer Evaluation of team members · Quiz 8 (Individual; 20 points) |
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Fall Break |
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Time Frame |
November 21 to November 27, 2016 |
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Readings |
· None |
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Assignments |
· None |
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Lesson 12: Psychoneuroimmunology, AIDS, Cancer, Arthritis |
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Time Frame |
November 28 to December 4, 2016 |
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Readings |
· Taylor - Chapter 14 · Taylor - Chapter 2 (p. 31 - 35) |
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Assignments |
· Quiz 9 (Individual; 30 points) |
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Lesson 13: Systems of the Body |
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Time Frame |
December 5 to December 9, 2016 |
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Readings |
· Taylor - Chapter 2 (p. 15 – 20 and 23 - 31) |
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Assignments |
· Quiz 10 (Individual; 10 points) · Final Exam (50 points) · SRTE (non-graded) All Lesson 13 Assignments are due Monday, December 12 at 8:59 a.m. EST
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Note: If you are planning to graduate this semester, please communicate your intent to graduate to your instructor. This will alert your instructor to the need to submit your final grade in time to meet the published graduation deadlines. For more information about graduation policies and deadlines, please go to the Graduation Information on the My Penn State Online Student Portal.
Formal instruction will end on the last day of class. Provided that you have an active Penn State Access Account user ID and password, you will continue to be able to access the course materials for one year from the day the course began (with the exception of library reserves).
Academic integrity—scholarship free of fraud and deception—is an important educational objective of Penn State. Academic dishonesty can lead to a failing grade or referral to the Office of Student Conduct .
Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to
· cheating,
· plagiarism,
· fabrication of information or citations,
· facilitating acts of academic dishonesty by others,
· unauthorized prior possession of examinations,
· submitting the work of another person or work previously used without, informing the instructor and securing written approval, and
· tampering with the academic work of other students.
Students are responsible for maintaining academic integrity. Violations include cheating on exams or quizzes, talking to others during an exam or quiz, getting help from others on exams or quizzes, having notes accessible during exams or quizzes, looking at another student's answers during an exam or quiz, plagiarizing, and dishonesty in any aspect of course participation. Also, you may not share any information from this course (including assignments and papers) with others, nor post such information electronically without the permission of the instructor. Violations of academic integrity including charges of plagiarism) and may result in a grade of F for the course as well as other penalties (see Faculty Senate Policy 49-20).
Heads up – several note-taking/note-sharing companies approach students about “jobs” (including Nittany Notes and those that appear to be connected to PSU). If this is something that you want to do, you MUST talk with your instructor first. Unless you have permission, you risk academic sanctions related to charges of plagiarism and disciplinary sanctions.
How to avoid plagiarism in this course
· Always place copied information within quotation marks, cite the source, and include information about the source in a bibliography.
· Always cite paraphrased information and include information about the source in a bibliography.
· When in doubt, cite and include the source in a bibliography.
Please make sure you submit the correct version of your paper. Whatever you hand in will be considered your final version and will be graded, even if you submit a blank document. Please note, claiming that you submitted the wrong file is NOT an acceptable excuse for work containing plagiarism.
How Academic Integrity Violations Are Handled
In cases where academic integrity is questioned, procedure requires an instructor to notify a student of suspected dishonesty before filing a charge and recommended sanction with the college. Procedures allow a student to accept or contest a charge. If a student chooses to contest a charge, the case will then be managed by the respective college or campus Academic Integrity Committee. If a disciplinary sanction also is recommended, the case will be referred to the Office of Student Conduct .
All Penn State colleges abide by this Penn State policy, but review procedures may vary by college when academic dishonesty is suspected. Information about Penn State's academic integrity policy and college review procedures is included in the information that students receive upon enrolling in a course. To obtain that information in advance of enrolling in a course, please contact us .
Additionally, World Campus students are expected to act with civility and personal integrity; respect other students' dignity, rights, and property; and help create and maintain an environment in which all can succeed through the fruits of their own efforts. An environment of academic integrity is requisite to respect for oneself and others, as well as a civil community.
For More Information on Academic Integrity at Penn State
Please see the Academic Integrity Chart for specific college contact information or visit one of the following URLs:
· Penn State Senate Policy on Academic Integrity
· iStudy for Success! (education module about plagiarism, copyright, and academic integrity)
· Turnitin (a web-based plagiarism detection and prevention system)
Penn State welcomes students with disabilities into the University's educational programs. Every Penn State campus has resources for students with disabilities. The Student Disability Resources (SDR) website provides contacts for disability services at every Penn State campus. For further information, please visit the SDR website .
In order to apply for reasonable accommodations , you must contact the appropriate disability resources office at the campus where you are officially enrolled, participate in an intake interview, and provide documentation based on the documentation guidelines . If the documentation supports your request for reasonable accommodations, your campus’s disability resources office will provide you with an accommodation letter. Please share this letter with your instructors and discuss the accommodations with them as early in your courses as possible. You must follow this process for every semester that you request accommodations.
The purpose of course communication tools is to provide students with a quick method for contacting faculty, teaching assistants, and other students of the class, in regards to course related questions, comments, and concerns. Please note that, according to Policy AD20 Computer and Network Security , course communication tools may not be used as a method for emailing unauthorized content including but not limited to: solicitation for businesses, advertisements, selling or distributing personal or class materials, transmitting offensive, obscene, or harassing materials, chain letters, news posts, or other forms of “spam” email. Doing so will be considered a violation of course and/or University policies, and might also violate the student code of conduct and the expectations expressed in the Penn State Principles. Resulting penalties might include the suspension or termination of system access, as well as disciplinary or academic sanctions. When appropriate, information about violators will be passed on to University Police Services. If you have any questions in regards to whether or not a particular email you wish to send would violate University policies, please check with your instructor before sending messages to others through the University system.
For information about additional policies regarding Penn State Access Accounts; credit by examination; course tuition, fees, and refund schedules; and drops and withdrawals, please see the World Campus Student Policies website.
In order to protect your privacy, course access is limited to those individuals who have direct responsibility for the quality of your educational experience. In addition to the instructor, a teaching assistant or college administrator may be provided access in order to ensure optimal faculty availability and access. World Campus technical staff may also be given access in order to resolve technical support issues.
Veterans and currently serving military personnel and/or dependents with unique circumstances (e.g., upcoming deployments, drill/duty requirements, VA appointments, etc.) are welcome and encouraged to communicate these, in advance if possible, to the instructor in the case that special arrangements need to be made.
