HLTH - Health
HLTH106 Drug Use and Abuse (3 Credits)
An interdisciplinary analysis of contemporary drug issues and problems. The course will examine physiological, psychological, social, philosophical, historical, legal and health aspects of drug use and abuse. Special attention will be focused on those general motivations for drug use that attend life on the college campus.
HLTH124 Introduction to Behavioral and Community Health (1 Credit)
Required of first semester Community Health majors to expose them to introductory-level concepts within the field of behavioral and community health as well as the Community Health degree program. Includes discussion on the delivery of behavioral and community health at the local, state, national, and global levels; career opportunities in the diverse sectors of the community health field; undergraduate programmatic information; and strategies for student success.
Restriction: Must be in a major within the SPHL-Behavioral & Community Health department.
HLTH140 Personal and Community Health (3 Credits)
Meaning and significance of physical, mental and social health as related to the individual and to society; important phases of national health problems; constructive methods of promoting health of the individual and the community.
HLTH170 The Corporate Footprint: How Industries Influence the Public's Health (3 Credits)
As public health advocates strive to protect, promote and advance the health of our communities, they sometimes find their efforts in conflict with the activities of corporations and their industry associations. This course will provide an overview of how various industries from Big Pharma to Tobacco Corporations have launched successful campaigns to influence policymakers, counter science and at times mislead the public on the harms of products to the health of communities. Students will also contemplate whether the relationship between corporations and public health advocates can ever be collaborative rather than contentious.
HLTH200 Introduction to Research in Community Health (3 Credits)
An overview of specific components and steps involved in the community health research process. Content includes, foundations of research, sampling, measurement design, and analysis in a community context.
Restriction: Must be in a major within the SPHL-Behavioral and Community Health department; or enrolled in the Social Data Science Public Health Track .
HLTH212 Unraveling the Human Body: Anatomy and Physiology from a Public Health Perspective (4 Credits)
Focuses on human structure and function and provides a foundation for public health professionals by equipping them with an integrated understanding of the dynamic human body, its various biological processes, and associated diseases. The course begins at the simplest level of cellular organization and progresses to tissues, organs, and organ systems. Specific body systems covered include Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Endocrine, Nervous, Digestive, Male and Female Reproductive, Musculoskeletal, Skeletal, and Immune. The complementary structure and function of the healthy body is highlighted as its systems work together to maintain a constant homeostatic environment. Clinical examples are provided to help the student understand the disease process as a disruption of normal structure and function. This will allow them to communicate to various audiences how disease functions within the human body as well as discuss lifestyle factors that are associated with disease onset and progression.
Prerequisite: BSCI170, BSCI171, and HLTH140.
Restriction: Must be in the Public Health Practice program.
HLTH230 Introduction to Health Behavior (3 Credits)
Psychological, social psychological, and sociological approaches to the following health areas: development of health attitudes and behavior, patient-provider interaction and the organization of health care.
HLTH234 Global Health Messages: Understanding Exposure & Impact (3 Credits)
Using a global perspective, this course teaches students to be critical consumers of current and historical health communication interventions. It also provides students with the skills to develop media interventions that target specific and general populations. Students will discover the array of diverse media messages that influence the health and well-being of individuals and communities.
Restriction: Must not be in the Community Health program.
HLTH240 Am I Not a Man? Contemporary Issues in Black Men's Health (3 Credits)
Exposes students to the fundamental aspects of the lived experiences of Black men in the U.S. by critically examining social, economic, cultural, historical, and environmental factors that determine the health and well-being of this heterogenous population. Utilizing a life course perspective, students will assess the health status and health care needs of this population using a health equity lens by drawing upon foundational aspects in the field of public health including, the ecological approach, determinants of health, public heath critical race praxis, and the health disparities generation research framework. Current contemporary health issues will be applied to both highlight and provide evidence of the multitude of factors shaping the lives of Black men. Ultimately, the course aims to identify potential recommendations and solutions to support the well-being of this critically important community.
Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- in HLTH 140; or permission of SPHL-Behavioral and Community Health.
Recommended: HLTH 200, HLTH 230, and FMSC 190.
Restriction: Must be in a major within SPHL-Behavioral & Community Health Department or enrolled in the Anti-Black Racism Minor.
HLTH246 The U.S. Tobacco Epidemic (3 Credits)
Tobacco is the leading cause of preventable death in the U.S. Course provides an overview of the tobacco epidemic including history, health effects, economic costs, policy, surveillance, and prevention, in addition to additional products like e-cigarettes, vaping and hookahs. .
HLTH264 Digital Health & Social Media (3 Credits)
Examines the current and potential use of digital health and social media to influence public health. Provides an overview of knowledge, skills and terminology necessary to optimize the effectiveness of these technologies to contribute to the enhancement of individual and community health.
Restriction: Must not be in the Public Health Practice program.
HLTH285 Controlling Stress and Tension (3 Credits)
Health problems related to stress and tension. Analysis of causative psychosocial stressors and intervening physiological mechanisms. Emphasis on prevention and control of stress through techniques such as biofeedback, meditation and neuromuscular relaxation.
HLTH289 Topical Investigations (1-3 Credits)
Independent study by an individual student or an experimental course in special areas of knowledge not covered by regularly scheduled courses.
Repeatable to: 6 credits if content differs.
HLTH292 Community Health Engagement (3 Credits)
An exploration and application of basic community health concepts. An integral part of the course is service learning, that includes evaluating, planning and implementing a community health program with a local community partner.
Restriction: Must not be in Public Health Practice program.
HLTH302 Methods of Community Health Assessment (3 Credits)
Examination of research and evaluation tools that can be applied to community health promotion. Includes the application of qualitative research methods, community needs and strengths assessments, asset mapping, and monitoring and evaluating process, outcome and impact evaluation.
Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- in HLTH200 and EPIB301.
Restriction: Must be in a major within the SPHL-Behavioral and Community Health Department.
HLTH306 Macro Level Influences on Community Health (3 Credits)
An examination of the effects and influences of policy decisions at the local, state and national levels on community health delivery. Historical and contemporary policy issues will be included with a focus on how the policies have impacted community organizations and the overall health of communities.
Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- in HLTH124.
Restriction: Must be in a major within the SPHL-Behavioral & Community Health department.
HLTH325 Poor in America: Health and Wellbeing (3 Credits)
Using the ecological framework, students will explore the complicated relationship between poverty and health and well-being in the United States.
Recommended: HLTH130; or HLTH140.
HLTH364 Social Media & Digital Tools for Community & Public Health (3 Credits)
Examination of the characteristics and uses of media platforms and digital technologies to expand the capability to identify and reduce community and public health risks at all levels of prevention. Also considered will be the potential threats these new media can play on individual choice, privacy, confidentiality, and social influence -- which themselves can pose health threats to community and public health.
Prerequisite: Completion of HLTH230 with a C- or higher.
Restriction: Must be in a major within the SPHL-Behavioral and Community Health department; Restricted to majors who entered the program in Fall 2018 or later.
HLTH366 Behavioral and Community Issues in Public Health (3 Credits)
The exploration of how social and behavioral science theories and public health concepts and methods can be applied to both the health-illness experience and community interventions.
Prerequisite: HLTH130, HLTH230, PSYC100, SOCY100, SOCY105, or ANTH260.
Restriction: Must be in Public Health Science program; or permission of SPHL-Behavioral & Community Health department. And must have earned a minimum of 45 credits.
Additional Information: This course will initially be restricted to Public Health Science (PHSC) majors, but could ultimately be opened to other majors, particularly those in HLTH.
HLTH377 Human Sexuality (3 Credits)
The biological and developmental aspects of human sexuality; the psychological and emotional aspects of sexual behavior; sexual identity; the historical, cultural, social, linguistic, legal and moral forces affecting sexual issues; the importance of communication, disclosure and intimacy in interpersonal relationships; and research trends in the area of human sexuality.
HLTH386 Experiential Learning (3-6 Credits)
Prerequisite: Permission of SPHL-Behavioral & Community Health department.
Restriction: Junior standing or higher.
HLTH389 Independent Study in Public Health Practice (1-6 Credits)
Independent study by an individual student.
Repeatable to: 6 credits if content differs.
HLTH391 Making a Difference: Applying Community Health (3 Credits)
The exploration and application of community health concepts including theoretical models, advocacy, cultural competency, asset mapping, and needs assessment. Includes planning, implementing and evaluating a community health program with a designated community partner.
Prerequisite: SPHL100, HLTH124, HLTH140, HLTH200, HLTH230, EPIB301, EPIB315, BSCI170, BSCI201, and HLTH302. Students must have completed or be concurrently enrolled in HLTH364.
Corequisite: HLTH490.
Restriction: Must be in a major within the SPHL-Behavioral and Community Health department.
HLTH399 Community Health Field Work (1-6 Credits)
Students will gain practical experience under conditions conducive to educational and professional development. The internship is a supervised period of community/public health activities, carried out in a relevant professional organization, that emphasizes the application of theory and previous coursework.
Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- in HLTH124, HLTH140, and SPHL100.
Restriction: Must be in Community Health program; and must have earned a minimum of 45 credits.
Repeatable to: 6 credits if content differs.
Additional Information: Students will have the opportunity to be matched with regular DBCH partners who have requested an intern for the designated semester. Most field work experiences will be off-campus.
HLTH402 Disability is Not an Outcome: An Introduction to Understanding Disability (3 Credits)
With an intent to disrupt traditional understandings of disability as a health outcome to be prevented, this course will introduce students to disability as an identity, a community, a population of interest to public health professionals. To change this understanding students will explore historical representations of disability, ableism, and lived experiences of people with disabilities. Disability is a multi-layered concept that broadly describes a wide range of people. Although geared toward public health scholars, the mix of readings, discussions, and assignments will help students reflect and integrate learning into their own fields of study. The course examines factors that led to systemic oppression, and methods and strategies of moving toward a more inclusive society.
HLTH410 Honors Seminar (3 Credits)
Undergraduate majors with a strong academic record are provided the opportunity to engage in challenging educational experiences related to the social and behavioral aspects of public health. Students will learn the skills and knowledge to develop, propose, defend, and complete an honors thesis or honors project.
Prerequisite: HLTH200; and must have completed 2 other courses in HLTH.
Restriction: Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5; and must have completed 45 credits before applying.
HLTH420 Effective Strategies for Public Health Practice (3 Credits)
The purpose of this course is to present the interrelationships of curriculum planning, methodology and the selection and use of successful public health presentation strategies. Special problems associated with public health presentations are discussed, and students become familiar with a variety of resources as well as with planning for and implementing demonstration presentations.
Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- in HLTH140 and HLTH230; and must have completed with a minimum grade of C- or be concurrently enrolled in HLTH212.
Restriction: Must be in the Public Health Practice program.
HLTH424 Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Health (3 Credits)
The preparation of students to be knowledgeable advocates for the health of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) populations. Course focus is defined by the Healthy People 2020 federal health objectives for LGBT populations: data collection for research, culturally competent healthcare, bullying in schools, suicide, homelessness, and sexually transmitted diseases including HIV.
Recommended: Students should have some familiarity with basic psychology, sociology and/or epidemiology.
Restriction: This course is restricted to students who have completed a minimum of 60 credits. Jointly offered with HLTH624.
Credit Only Granted for: HLTH424 or HLTH6 24.
HLTH431 Health Literacy in Action (3 Credits)
This course introduces the concept of health literacy and develops the knowledge and skills to understand the field and engage productively about health literacy with healthcare providers, systems, and policy makers. The class explores diverse perspectives about health information and communication, and different pathways and strategies to help create the conditions for more informed and engaged individuals and communities.
Recommended: HLTH371; or equivalent.
HLTH432 Medical Terminology (3 Credits)
Provides the framework for understanding medical language and terminology used by health care professionals. Students will gain an understanding of the rules of building and analyzing medical terms from word origins and will learn correct pronunciation, definitions, and spelling for all of the body systems, major pathological conditions, common disorders, prescribed medications, and more. Whether a student is interested in learning more about the medical field or they want to acquire practical knowledge for future personal use, this course provides the foundation for understanding the language of medicine.
Credit Only Granted for: HLTH432 or HLTH498T.
Formerly: HLTH498T.
HLTH434 Introduction to Public Health Informatics (3 Credits)
Provides an overview of the field of public health informatics and the influence of technology on the public's health and well-being. Emphasizes the application of various technologies and computer/internet applications to support public health research and practice, including strategies to address new and emerging threats.
Restriction: Must be in one of the following programs (Public Health Practice; Public Health Science) ; and must have earned a minimum of 60 credits.
Credit Only Granted for: HLTH434 or HLTH498E.
Formerly: HLTH498E.
HLTH452 Global Health and Social Justice (3 Credits)
Evaluates the relationship between social justice and population health through critical discourse analysis of social determinants of health and applications of community-based methods for reducing population health inequities within and across national borders. The class aims to stimulate students' critical analysis to identify, describe, measure and apply consequences of injustices in population ill-health exposures and practices (policies, interventions and services). Students will apply critical thinking about how social injustices create preventable health disparities, unequal social determinants, poor environmental exposures and diseases among vulnerable populations in much of low-income countries.
Jointly offered with: HLTH602.
HLTH460 Multicultural Population Health (3 Credits)
Health concerns of U.S. ethnic minority groups and factors placing them at elevated risk for disease and injury. Health education concepts and strategies to reduce disparities between their health status and the health status of the general population.
Prerequisite: HLTH140, HLTH230, or HLTH366; or permission of SPHL-Behavioral & Community Health department.
Restriction: Must be in a major within the SPHL-Behavioral & Community Health department; or must be in the Anti-Black Racism Minor.
HLTH471 Women's Health (3 Credits)
Women's health issues and the barriers faced by women striving to achieve a healthy lifestyle. Emphasis is placed on socio-cultural, historical, political, economic, and behavioral factors. Students will examine topics including access to healthcare, women in the workforce, women's sexual and reproductive health, preventive health, screenings and wellness, and the interpersonal and social aspects of women's health. This course is designed to support students in their personal exploration of attitudes, knowledge, and values related to women's health and to assist them as they analyze their individual behaviors.
Cross-listed with: WGSS471.
Restriction: Must be in a program in the Harriet Tubman Department of Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies; or must be in a major within SPHL-Behavioral & Community Health department.
Credit Only Granted for: HLTH471, WMST471, or WGSS471.
Formerly: WMST471.
HLTH489 Field Laboratory Projects (1-6 Credits)
A course designed to meet the needs of persons in the field with respect to workshop and research projects in special areas of knowledge not covered by regularly structured courses.
Repeatable to: 6 credits.
HLTH490 Professional Preparation in Community Health (3 Credits)
The development of skills necessary for joining the public health work force post-graduation, as well as assistance in obtaining an appropriate internship that will serve as a final semester capstone experience. Students will also work in teams to identify a public health issue within a community, and will produce a grant proposal to implement a hypothetical program or intervention.
Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- in EPIB301, EPIB315, SPHL100, HLTH124, HLTH140, HLTH200, HLTH230, HLTH302, BSCI170, and BSCI201; and BSCI171 or BSCI180; and students must have completed or be concurrently enrolled in HLTH364.
Corequisite: HLTH391.
Restriction: Must be in a major within the Behavioral and Community Health department.
HLTH491 Community Health Internship (12 Credits)
Integrating theory with practice in a community health setting.
Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- in HLTH 391 and HLTH490; all other program requirements must be completed.
Restriction: Must have completed all program requirements and be in the last semester of the Public Health Practice degree program.
HLTH492 BS/MPH Community Health Internship (9 Credits)
Integrating theory with practice in a community health setting.
Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C- in HLTH490.
Restriction: Must be a Public Health Practice major who has been admitted to the combined BS/MPH degree program.
HLTH498 Special Topics in Health (3 Credits)
Topics of special interest in areas not covered by regularly scheduled courses.
Repeatable to: 6 credits if content differs.