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)]

U.S. healthcare is a multi-billion-dollar a year industry. In 2016, the average life expectancy dropped for the first time in decades. Obesity has reached epidemic proportions, sedentary lifestyles are increasing, and coronary heart disease – the nation’s #1 killer, shows no signs of stopping. And now, we’ve been living through COVID-19. But there is hope, as health psychologists and researchers in the field are gaining a better understanding of health and wellness – and how to maintain both.

Health psychology is a marriage between the medical and psychological sciences. Whereas a medical doctor would treat people infected with COVID-19, a health psychologist would look for ways to avoid infections to begin with. Health psychologists would work with patients to assist with their post-treatment recovery from a stressful and traumatic episode in their life.

Health psychologists adopt a holistic approach to wellness, whose foundation is built on the reciprocal relationship between mind and body. I hope that by the end of the semester students will better understand the mind-body connection, and use this knowledge to enhance their own health and happiness. (Adapted from Lynn White, Ph.D.)

Title: Health Psychology (11th Edition)

Authors: Shelley E. Taylor & Annette L. Stanton

ISBN-10: 1260253902

ISBN-13: 978-1260253900

I will also provide readings from other articles and chapters via Canvas. You will need a PDF reader to access those readings. You should take notes and are expected to complete an annotated bibliography entry for each reading (see below).

Another required text is the current Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA Manual 7th Ed.). I will provide a PDF copy of that book for your access via Canvas. You are also welcome to purchase a print copy on Amazon, another site, or through the bookstore (Amazon link: https://a.co/d/hhArjGL).

I hope that by the end of the semester students will better understand the mind-body connection, and use this knowledge to enhance their own health and happiness.

Grading System for Final Grades

After I calculate your final numerical grade based on the system above, I will convert it to a letter grade based on the chart below:

Course Requirements and Final-Grade Calculation

Participation (100 points)

We have 26 total classes with content throughout the semester. Each of those days, you will have an opportunity to earn 4 participation points by completing a short, low-stakes assignment. I will give one excused absence at no penalty, so I will only grade 25 of the classes.

Annotated Bibliography entries (75 points)

There will be fifteen readings throughout the semester. Each of those readings are important for establishing a basis of understanding about health psychology and its many applications. You are responsible for reading each article or chapter, then completing a short entry for your annotated bibliography. Annotated bibliographies are useful resources that will aid you in your future research (including the literature review project due at the end of this semester). You must complete an entry in your annotated bibliography for each of the articles/chapters you are assigned to read.

An annotated bibliography includes a summary and evaluation of each entry. Therefore, you will receive 1 point for summarizing the article, 2 points for evaluating the article, and 2 points for the correct APA citation. Your citations must be correct, and you should not rely on online citation machines to properly cite your articles; instead, utilize the APA Manual. See this article from the Purdue OWL program for more information about annotated bibliographies:

APA Style Quiz (10 points)

You are required to complete the APA Style Quiz from the SUU Library on Canvas. The quiz is timed at 30 minutes, and you have two chances to take the quiz. You must earn 80% on the quiz to pass the class or face a remedial assignment.

Organize Groups (10 points)

The foundation of this class and many assignments will be group work, so you are required to submit a learning contract with each of your group members’ names and a group title. Group learning contracts may be modified, but clear expectations will be set out in the group contract to aid in settling group disputes. Groups will work together to complete the synthesis matrix, the APA reference assignment, the literature review draft, the literature review, and the final presentation. Given 40 people in our class, the prototypical group would be 4 people each, though you are welcome to work with a smaller group or by yourself, if you’d prefer.

Synthesis Matrix (50 points)

Groups will work together to complete a synthesis matrix for their final topic. A prototypical synthesis matrix will be broken down into subtopics, with at least three supporting sources for each subtopic. The synthesis matrix is to be a “living document”, so you are welcome to continue adding onto it after the due date to help with the literature review and final presentation. For more information on the synthesis matrix, see this helpful module from the SUU Library: .

Rubric:

• 10 points: Appropriate topic
• 20 points: 3+ subtopics
• 20 points: 5+ references

APA Reference Assignment (50 points)

Groups will work together to create a draft of their references page for the literature review. You will be graded on the correctness of details of the APA citations, your paper formatting, and the number of citations.

Rubric:

• 10 points: 7+ citations
• 10 points: Paper formatting
• 30 points: Correctness of details of the APA citations

Literature Review Draft (100 points)

At the end of the semester, you will turn in a literature review and present on a health psychology topic of your choosing. Given our 40 students, there should be 10 groups of 4 students each. You will complete a literature review draft, presentation, and literature review in the same groups.

You will be required to turn in a draft of your literature review in APA format midway through the semester. This is to ensure that you are working on the project throughout the semester, rather than waiting until the last minute. Writing is a cyclical and iterative process, requiring outlining, drafting, revision, and further drafting to develop a quality product. I endeavor to assist you in at least one revision via you submitting this assignment. This submission will also ensure that I can review your topic and sub-topics. See this article from the Purdue OWL program for more information about literature reviews: .

Rubric:

• 10 points: Appropriate topic
• 10 points: Introduction
• 15 points: Body
• 10 points: Conclusion
• 10 points: 1+ suggested intervention(s)
• 20 points: 10+ References
• 15 points: APA formatting
• 10 points: Writing quality

Festival of Excellence attendance (5 points)

You are required to attend the Festival of Excellence on Tuesday, March 31. To earn credit for attendance, you must submit a short review of one of the presentations or posters presented on that day.

Literature Review (300 points)

At the end of the semester, each group will submit a literature review in APA format on a health psychology topic of their choosing. This literature review will build upon the previously submitted draft and the presentation. You will complete the literature review in the same group that you completed your draft and presentation in. See this article from the Purdue OWL program for more information about literature reviews:

While this assignment is due at the end of the semester, you are expected to work on it throughout the semester to ensure you submit a quality product. As mentioned previously, writing is a cyclical and iterative process that requires multiple rounds of drafting and revision to develop a quality product. I endeavor to enhance your writing skills through this assignment and throughout the semester. I also am a resource through this process and look forward to working on your writing with you.

Rubric:

• 60 points: Awarded by teammates (must earn at least 30 points or fail the assignment)
• 40 points: Introduction
• 50 points: Body
• 20 points: Conclusion
• 20 points: 1+ suggested intervention(s)
• 60 points: 20+ References
• 35 points: APA formatting
• 15 points: Writing quality

PReSENTATION (300 points)

At the end of the semester, each group will participate in presenting on a health psychology topic of their choosing. Presentations will last for 10 minutes each with 5 minutes for answering questions from the audience. The preferred presentation program is Microsoft Powerpoint. This format mirrors a typical format for presentations at psychology conferences (like RMPA).

Rubric:

• 60 points: Awarded by teammates (must earn at least 30 points or fail the assignment)
• 60 points: Presentation clarity and understandability
• 60 points: Topic covered thoroughly
• 30 points: 1+ suggested intervention(s)
• 30 points: Audience engagement
• 60 points: Presentation quality

Extra Credit Opportunities

Throughout the semester, you will have opportunities to earn some extra credit. Extra credit is granted for acquiring assistance from the Undergraduate Writing Center and/or the Public Speaking Center. Each individual student can earn 10 points of extra credit for each session they complete at either center with proof of session completion (either an email from the writing center or a “pink slip” from the public speaking center).

Both centers offer group sessions, which is a great way to get help on a project as a team. If your team or a part of your team do a group session, then each of the attending team members will earn extra credit with proof of session completion.

Undergraduate Writing Center:

Public Speaking Center:

All assignments are due by 11:59pm on the date indicated on the schedule and Canvas.

All assignments may be completed ahead of schedule but may NOT be completed after the due date. This means that you may complete all coursework as far in advance as you wish, however the deadlines are in place to prevent students from waiting until the last minute to complete work. The deadlines are the LAST DAY you can complete the assignment.

Attendance Policy: When you miss class, you miss important information. If you are absent, you are responsible for learning material covered in class. If you have an excused absence, you will be permitted to make up coursework or complete an equivalent assignment agreed upon with me.

To arrange excuses for absences that can be anticipated at the beginning of the semester, you should:

• Submit a request via email stating the dates of the anticipated absence no later than the end of the second week of the course
• Explain the reason for absence – in some cases, documentation may be required
• Include any request for make-up work

To arrange excuses for absences that cannot be anticipated (e.g., legal proceedings or illnesses), you should submit a request via email stating:

• The date(s) of the absence
• Explain the reason for absence – in some cases, documentation may be required
• Include any request for make-up work

Prerequisite(s) and Registration Restriction(s)

Prerequisite(s): PSY 1010 - Prerequisite Min. Grade: C-
Registration Restriction(s): None

Technical Requirements

Many assignments, announcements, and messages for this course will be provided online and therefore reliable computer and Internet access is required. If you have any concerns about the technical requirements of this course, please contact me because I can help discuss ways we can work around technical issues.

Course Communication

Please email me at or send me a message on Canvas any time you have questions regarding the course. I will also send class announcements via Canvas and email. Finally, I will make comments on your assignments via Canvas.

Changes to the syllabus

The content of this course and syllabus is subject to change at the need and discretion of the instructor. Students will be notified in class and by email of any changes to the syllabus and receive new copies of the revised syllabus.

Course Information