Course Syllabus - Robin Roth

Health 25

HLTH 25: Women's Health Issues

Cosponsored by the Health Science and the Women's Studies Departments

Textbooks:

• Our Bodies, Ourselves for the New Century, Boston Women's Health Book Collective. Simon & Schuster. 1998.
  
  
• The T-Factor Fat Gram Counter, Cordie & Katch. W.W. Norton & Co. N.Y. 1991. Or other good fat gram counter.

Course Description:

An exploration of issues related to the mental, physical, spiritual, social and political aspects of women's health. The practical orientation of this course emphasizes information and resources to help each woman optimize her own health and well-being, while expanding understanding of the broader issues that shape the lives and health of all women and how we can influence these issues.

Instructional Objectives:

1. Identify the special health concerns of women in general, different groups of women, and yourself in particular.
   
   
2. Compare the medical treatment of women throughout history, and discuss the implications for current health care practices.
   
   
3. Demonstrate understanding of the influence of culture, race, gender, class and socioeconomic status on health.
   
   
4. Identify the habits that influence your health.
   
   
5. Analyze the factors that affect your ability to make desired lifestyle changes for optimal health.
   
   
6. Demonstrate knowledge of the female body, particularly reproductive and sexual anatomy and physiology, by answering questions, drawing diagrams, chart cycles, etc.
   
   
7. Demonstrate knowledge of prevention of common health risks in women throughout the life cycle, such as sexually transmitted disease, unnecessary surgery, overmedication, cancer and heart disease, violence against women, etc.
   
   
8. Demonstrate understanding of how to make good nutrition and regular exercise part of your life.
   
   
9. Describe skills and knowledge needed to become a wise health care consumer.
   
   
10. List health resources in the San Francisco Bay Area, both mainstream and alternative.
    
    
11. Utilize health information, including scientific research, in class projects and discussions as well as in your own decision-making about health care matters.
    
    
12. Write a paper on a personal health concern utilizing research skills and behavior change techniques learned in class.
    
    
13. Develop positive self-image and self-esteem.

Evaluation:

Grades are based on class participation and attendance, a midterm and a final exam, a paper on a personal health concern, and several short projects. To pass, no more than 6 absences for day classes or 3 absences for night classes are allowed. Three times late to class will count as one absence. Maximum points are given for perfect attendance, and each absence will cause a loss of participation points. Cheating will not be tolerated. A grade of "F" is given for any cheating, which includes talking during tests and plagiarism (copying from a book or other reference or otherwise representing others' work as your own). It is expected that your work and class conduct will be appropriate for a college level academic course. Expressions of opinions and ideas as well as tolerance of diversity is inherent to this process. Your active participation will benefit yourself and the whole class.

Extra Credit:

Extra credit can be earned through attendance at women's health related events, programs, or by viewing videos in the Rosenberg Media Center or in the Health Science Resource Library in Cloud 405, or by volunteering for a women's health organizations; turn in a short paper discussing what you learned and giving your opinion of the event. Extra credit learning on the topic of a missed class is highly recommended. Up to 3 papers each worth 4 points can be submitted.

Grading Scale for Final Grade:

HLTH 25 CLASS SCHEDULE

Spring 2002

Class Time: Tuesday & Thursday
Classroom: Cloud 232

Please complete the assigned reading in OBOS before that lecture.

Use the index in Our Bodies, Ourselves to find more information on topics and health concerns of particular interest to you. Chapter 24 has good information on common medical problems and procedures. The Notes and Resources list at the end of each chapter is a good source for additional information.

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