Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Health Psychology (Face-to-Face)

PSY 3650-01

Course: PSY 3650-01
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: PSY
CRN: 30793

Course Description

This course investigates the biopsychosocial factors which contribute to health and illness. Issues within the fields of medical psychology and behavioral medicine are discussed. Topics may include health and illness behaviors, stress, pain, seeking and adhering to medical advice, nutrition, emerging health trends, chronic illness, and behaviors associated with specific types of illness and disease. Opportunities for personal application will be included. (Fall [As Needed], Spring [As Needed], Summer) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Prerequisite(s): PSY 1010 - Prerequisite Min. Grade: C- Registration Restriction(s): None

Required Texts

none – however, students will find and read peer-reviewed articles for their course projects

Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete the course will be able to;

a.      identify psychosocial, political, and cultural factors that contribute to their well-being​
b.      create and execute a behavioral health intervention plan OR a public health messaging campaign (depending on which project they choose to do)
c.      critique research based on study design and methodology
d.      use stress and pain management techniques to keep stress at a healthy level and reduce unnecessary pain
e.      make informed decisions regarding nutrition, mood, social relationships, and other health behaviors to promote a healthy epigenome
f.        maneuver within the health care system, policies, and practices to maximize health outcomes for themselves and the people they love
g.      work effectively on a team to prepare and disseminate an engaging and effective presentation on a current health care concern

Course Requirements

video segment quizzes    25%
​seek, answer, relate, apply video project (SARA)   20% 
15 SARA quizzes   5%
​15 class activities  15%
​behavior intervention project  OR  public health campaign project   25%
​final exam  10%
each graded activity is described in detail on the website for the course:
https://www.lynnwhite-suu.com/health-psychology

Course Outline

 What is health psychology
 ​Health Behavior Models & Interventions
 Understanding & Critiquing Research
 Stress – biopsychosocial understandings & stress management
 Psychoneuroendocrineimmunology (PNEI) & Epigenetics
 Pain – biopsychosocial understandings & pain management
 Obesity – etiology & treatment
 Cardiovascular vascular disease
 Vaping and CBD – a blessing or a curse?
 Health Care Systems & Practices

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Due dates have been established to help you stay on track and discourage procrastination. But "life happens". Maybe you are sick, have a dentist appointment, or need a mental health day. The reason does not matter. I have a three-day grace period on everything EXCEPT discussion posts (summer students only).  You will "pay" me 5% for each day you are late, regardless of the reason. After the grace period ends, so does your opportunity to submit. Want to erase late fees? Earn bonus points and you can redeem them at the end of the semester for rewards - one of which is a late fee eraser!

If you cannot submit something by the end of the grace period because of an unforeseen, unavoidable, and justifiable reason, you may contact me (via email) to request an extension. You will need to tell me which graded activity was or will be missed and why. Documentation may be required. IMPORTANT: requests for an extension must be made a soon as possible. Waiting too late might result in a request denial. Also, you will still incur late fees - but these will be capped at 15%. Remember, you can always erase them later using bonus points. 

Attendance Policy

Studio class attendance is required. You cannot contribute if you are not there! Moreover, most activities will be completed in class. If you are absent, you will not be able to do them. To sweeten the pot even more, you will earn 5 bonus points for attending. Note however, if you are tardy, you lose 1 point. If you leave early, you lose 1 point.

Course Fees

$12

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.