Health Psychology - PSY 341K-4 Fall 2016 Unique 43145: MWF 12pm-12:50pm, SEA 2.108 Instructor: Dr. Jacqueline Evans Office: SEA 4.318 Office Hours: Mondays and Wednesdays, from 2:00-3:30pm, and by appointment. I hope to meet with you this semester. Email: j.evans@utexas.edu Required Text There is a required text for this course. I chose this book in particular because of how well it has been updated with current research findings. Title: Health Psychology (9 th Ed.) Author: Shelley E. Taylor Publisher: McGraw Hill ISBN: 9780077861810 Copyright: 2014 Course Objectives The purpose of this class is to explore the science of health psychology using the biopsychosocial model (i.e., biological, psychological, and social contributors to health). Among other themes and issues, we will emphasize the cyclical relationship between stress and illness. In addition, you will learn to think critically about research in health psychology and to apply research findings to your observations about mind-body relationships. This course carries the Writing Flag. Writing Flag courses are designed to give students experience with writing in an academic discipline. In this class, you can expect to write regularly during the semester, complete substantial writing projects, and receive feedback from your instructors to help you improve your writing. You will also have the opportunity to revise one or more assignments, and you may be asked to read and discuss your peers work. You should therefore expect a substantial portion of your grade to come from your written work. Writing Flag classes meet the Core Communications objectives of Critical Thinking, Communication, Teamwork, and Personal Responsibility, established by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Assignments and Grading The course grade will be based on two in-class examinations, each covering about half of the course material. Additionally, your grade will also include three writing assignments, an inclass group presentation, and in-class activities. IN-CLASS EXAMS: The two 35-point exams are worth 17.5% each, which means that your total exam grade will count for 70 points, and 35% of your final course grade. WRITING ASSIGNMENTS: The three writing assignments are worth a total of 45% of your final grade. First, you will write a Topic Review research paper (Paper 1A), and a thorough revision of this paper based on TA/instructor feedback (Paper 1B). The Topic Review research paper assignment asks you to thoroughly summarize four academic journal articles reporting
original research on a topic in language that the average person (non-psychologist) would understand. After summarizing and reviewing each, you will thoughtfully discuss and compare the overall contributions of these journal articles to their topic of study and inform the reader about the consensus or controversy you discover in your review of this literature. (Note: All four articles must be related in topic; e.g., social support interventions for cancer patients.) Complete details including a grading rubric will be provided in class. Later in the semester, you will write another Topic Review research paper (Paper 2), on a new, separate topic of interest. You will be asked to use writing skills and tools that you learned in Papers 1A and 1B and apply them in your writing of Paper 2. The writing assignment for Paper 2 is the same, and you will receive complete details and a grading rubric in class. The first Topic Review research papers (Paper 1A, Paper 1B) are worth 25 points each, and 12.5% of your final grade each. The next Topic Review research paper (Paper 2) is worth 40 points, and 20% of your final grade. Each paper will be a minimum of five complete pages and a maximum of seven pages (double-spaced, one-inch margins, Times New Roman 12 pt. font in addition to a separate title page, and a separate References page). IN-CLASS PRESENTATION: You will also participate in a service learning project to advance your knowledge of a field of interest within Health Psychology. The goal of this project is to become involved with and learn about an agency or organization within our community that offers a service that you are passionate about. Your assignment is to volunteer for a minimum of three (3) hours at a local health psychology-related organization that provides an important service to the community or to a special group within our community. You will then create a poster and give a brief elevator talk presenting your service learning experience and linking it to course material. Complete details on the presentation guidelines including the grading rubric will be provided in class. This project is worth 25 points, and 12.5% of your final grade. IN-CLASS ACTIVITIES: Active participation in in-class discussions and activities is important to this course and will help advance your understanding of course concepts. As such, your participation in this course will be graded. Five in-class writing activities worth 2.5 points each (7.5% of your final grade) will be assigned. To earn credit, you will bring in written work in progress and participate in in-class discussions and workshops. In-Class Writing Activities due in class (see syllabus schedule below for due dates): #1: Paper 1A Topic Brainstorm #2: Paper 1A Topic and Source Analysis #3: Paper 1A Introduction paragraph, and annotated APA formatted References page #4: Paper 1B Peer-review of complete final draft including revisions #5: Paper 2 Introduction paragraph, and annotated APA formatted References page #6: Paper 2 Peer-review of complete final draft including revisions
Overall Grading Summary: Points (Percentage) Per Assignment Total Points Evans- Health Psy Percentage of Course Grade Tests: Exams 1 and 2 35 points (17.5% of final grade) 35 points x 2 tests = 70 35% Writing Assignments: Paper 1 Final Draft (1A) Paper 1 Revised (1B) Paper 2 Final Draft (2) 25 points (12.5%) 25 points (12.5%) 40 points (20%) 3 papers = 90 points 45% Participation: Service Presentation 25 points (12.5%) 25 points 12.5% In-Class Activities 2.5 points (1.25%) 2.5 pts x 6 = 15 7.5% Totals 200 100% Final Grades: Your final grade will be determined by adding all points earned from your exams, writing assignments, presentation, and activities (see above table for points possible). The total percent score will be rounded to the nearest decimal, e.g., 89.5% = 90%, 89.4% = 89%. Grades are determined by performance, not effort, and may not be argued. I will not respond to emails requesting a higher grade, extra points, revised cut-offs, or bump up of any kind. Letter grade cutoffs are as follows (and are set in stone): A 91.5-100% C 71.5-77.4 A- 89.5-91.4 C- 69.5-71.4 B+ 87.5-89.4 D+ 67.5-69.4 B 81.5-87.4 D 61.5-67.4 B- 79.5-81.4 D- 59.5-61.4 C+ 77.5-79.4 F 59.4% or less Extra Credit: No extra credit will be offered in this course. Please see me if you need to improve your performance in this course before it is too late. I can offer guidance that will help you to do your best! Late Work: It is imperative to submit your work on time. No late presentations or in-class activities will be accepted there is no alternative because these occur during class time. Late writing assignments that are turned in after the due date will be penalized 25% per day late, and will receive an automatic zero after day 4. If you need help with an assignment, reach out to your TA or instructor!
Grading Policy: Final grades are determined on total percentage points earned in the course (noted above), thus borderline grades must stay borderline. All exam and assignment scores are final and set in stone within one week from date due. If you find an issue, you must contact the instructor within one week, after which time the grade will stand. If you are disappointed in a score, talk with your instructor and TA about how you can improve your performance going forward. Class Policies and Resources Assigned Readings: In order to get the most out of the lectures, I expect you to at least skim the assigned textbook reading before class and thoroughly read the assigned chapter ASAP after class on the same day. This method will help cement what you learned in class, and the lecture will help you understand the assigned reading. Additional assigned journal articles will be posted to Canvas, and will include instructions to download and thoroughly read before a specified class date. Be sure to read so that you are prepared for our in-class discussions. Attendance: You are expected to attend every class on time and participate in class activities and discussions. If you must be tardy, please come in as quietly as possible to avoid disrupting other students. If you are absent on an exam day for a legitimate reason (e.g., hospitalization), contact the instructor as soon as possible within 48 hours of the exam to see if the absence can be excused. If your absence is excused, you can take a makeup exam as soon as you return to campus. Please note that makeup exams may be in long essay format. If you have an unexcused absence on an exam day, you will receive a zero on that exam. Academic Integrity: You are expected to uphold and reflect the University Code of Conduct and the Student Honor Code in this course: Student Honor Code: As a student of The University of Texas at Austin, I shall abide by the core values of the University and uphold academic integrity. University Code of Conduct: The core values of The University of Texas at Austin are learning, discovery, freedom, leadership, individual opportunity, and responsibility. Each member of the university is expected to uphold these values through integrity, honesty, trust, fairness, and respect toward peers and community. Cheating and plagiarism are serious offenses. They not only undermine your ability to grow intellectually and think for yourself but they can also lead to you being suspended or expelled from the University for scholastic dishonesty. Cheating includes copying another student s answers on a test or assignment and using notes, books, cell phones, etc., to answer questions on a test or assignment when such materials are not permitted. Plagiarism includes (1) copying passages verbatim from another writer s work and representing them as one s own work; (2) any use of another s work that is submitted as one s own work without giving the original author sufficient credit; (3) submitting answers or papers written by another student; and (4) reading someone else s answers or paper, then copying the main ideas or parts of their answers/writing into your own answers/writing. It is your responsibility to know what
plagiarism is, and how to avoid it: http://www.lib.utexas.edu/services/instruction/learningmodules/plagiarism/ Evans- Health Psy Cases of cheating and plagiarism will be referred to the Honor Code Council. You can find out more about academic integrity at: http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/sjs/scholdis.php Classroom Etiquette: I am committed to upholding the University Code of Conduct in order to facilitate a productive learning environment for all students. I expect that we all treat each other and the classroom with respect. To help everyone get the most out of this experience, in-class distractions must be avoided. Examples of distractions include (but are not limited to): cell phone use, private conversations, sleeping, online shopping, smoking e-cigarettes, checking your email, etc. Coming to class engaged, treating your classmates with respect and not distracting them is your best bet for success, and will help you avoid losing participation points. After receiving a warning, further distracting behavior may result in a deduction of 5 points for each infraction and/or referral to Student Judicial Services. Disabilities: I am committed to providing a level playing field for all students in this course. If you need accommodations (or think you might) to perform your best, please talk with me at the beginning of the semester. The University of Texas at Austin provides upon request appropriate academic accommodations for qualified students with disabilities. For more information, contact the Services for Students with Disabilities: Call 512-471-6259, Videophone 512-410-6644, Email ssd@austin.utexas.edu, Website http://ddce.utexas.edu/disability/ Emergency Procedures: Occupants of buildings on The University of Texas at Austin campus are required to evacuate buildings when a fire alarm is activated. Alarm activation or announcement requires exiting and assembling outside. Familiarize yourself with all exit doors of each classroom and building you may occupy. Remember that the nearest exit door may not be the one you used when entering the building. Students requiring assistance in evacuation shall inform their instructor in writing during the first week of class. In the event of an evacuation, follow the instruction of faculty or class instructors. Do not re-enter a building unless given instructions by the following: Austin Fire Department, The University of Texas at Austin Police Department, or Fire Prevention Services office. University Emergency visit the website for up to the minute updates on emergency status http://www.utexas.edu/emergency/ Student Emergency Services call 512-471-5017 or visit the website http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/emergency/ SES provides students at the University of Texas at Austin with resources and support during times of personal or family crisis or emergency. Counseling and Mental Health Center call 512-471-3515 or 512-471-2255 for 24/7 counseling or visit the website cmhc.utexas.edu The university counseling center provides individual, group, telephone or crisis counseling to all University of Texas students who are currently enrolled in classes. The Telephone Counseling Line is available year-round, 24/7.
Additional Student Resources: I strongly encourage you to seek out additional help in order to meet your personal goals for this course. Please contact the following organizations for invaluable support: University Libraries call 512-475-4250 (main library phone number) or visit the website at www.lib.utexas.edu. They can provide in-depth assistance finding research sources, avoiding plagiarism, and using APA format. Sanger Learning and Career Center call 512-232-8400 or visit the career website at www.utexas.edu/ugs/csacc/career or the learning center website at http://www.utexas.edu/ugs/slc University Writing Center PCL 2.330, call 512-471-6222 or visit the website at uwc.utexas.edu/ the writing center provides free, individualized writing assistance on a drop-in basis. Feedback from an informed audience is a normal part of a successful writing project.
Tentative Course Schedule* Week Dates In-Class Topic Reading Note 1 Weds, Aug 24 Fri, Aug 26 Introduction What is Health Psychology? Cohen article Ch. 1 2 Mon, Aug 29 Weds, Aug 31 Fri, Sept 2 Doing Health Research; Assign Papers Doing Health Research Health Behaviors; Activity Ch. 3 3 Mon, Sept 5 Weds, Sept 7 Fri, Sept 9 4 Mon, Sept 12 Weds, Sept 14 Fri, Sept 16 5 Mon, Sept 19 Weds, Sept 21 Fri, Sept 23 6 Mon, Sept 26 Weds, Sept 28 Fri, Sept 30 7 Mon, Oct 3 Weds, Oct 5 Fri, Oct 7 8 Mon, Oct 10 Weds, Oct 12 Fri, Oct 14 9 Mon, Oct 17 Weds, Oct 19 Fri, Oct 21 10 Mon, Oct 24 Weds, Oct 26 Fri, Oct 28 11 Mon, Oct 31 Weds, Nov 2 Fri, Nov 4 12 Mon, Nov 7 Weds, Nov 9 Fri, Nov 11 13 Mon, Nov 14 Weds, Nov 16 Fri, Nov 18 14 Mon, Nov 21 Weds, Nov 23 Fri, Nov 25 Labor Day Holiday- No class Health Behaviors: Prevention and Change Health Promotion; Activity Health-Compromising Behaviors Alcohol Use; Activity Physiology Paper 1A Draft Workshop (bring hard copy) Physiology Stress Stress Stress Stress and Status; Dr. Sapolsky Video; Activity Stress and Coping Stress and Coping Stress and Personality Wrap up Section 1; Review for Exam 1 Exam 1: Ch. 1-7 Discuss Exam; Paper #2 Brainstorm Using Health Services; Assign Service Project Patient-Provider Relationships Patient-Provider Relationships Pain; Activity Pain; Guided Imagery Chronic Illness Chronic Illness Cardiovascular Illness Guest Lecture: CMHC Cardiovascular Illness; Activity Immune Disorders Immune Disorders Terminal Illness Future of Health Psychology Wrap up section 2; Review for Exam 2 Exam 2: Ch. 8-15 Thanksgiving Holiday- No class Thanksgiving Holiday- No class 15 Mon, Nov 28 Weds, Nov 30 Fri, Dec 2 Discuss Exam; Q&A for Service Presentations Health Service Project Presentations Health Service Project Presentations 16 Mon, Dec 5 Health Service Project Presentations Ch. 4 Ch. 5 Ch. 2 Ch. 6, Cohen Sapolsky Ch. 7, Uchino Ch. 8 Ch. 9 Ch.10 Ch. 11 Ch. 13, Brunner Ch. 14, Sibinga Ch. 12 Ch. 15 Activity 1 Due 9/2 Activity 2 Due 9/9 Activity 3 Due 9/14 Paper 1A Due 9/19 Activity 4 Due 9/30 Paper 1B Due 10/7 Activity 5 Due 10/24 Activity 6 Due 11/7 Paper 2 Due 11/11
There is no final exam for this course. Final Exam Period: Monday, December 12, 9:00am 12:00pm* *This time is reserved strictly for makeups of Exam 2 *Excused absence and instructor permission required Note: This tentative course schedule of topics is my best estimate and is subject to change. Students are responsible for any changes that are announced in class.