TIME & PLACE:

10:50-12:05 TR   Room 116     Silcox Physical Education and Health Center

Deborah A. Miller, Ph.D., CHES

OFFICE HOURS:

3:00 - 4:00 M, 8:30 - 10:30 TTR & by appointment

310 Silcox Physical Education and Health Center

(843) 953-8248            or            (843) 953-5558 (Sec.)
(843) 953-6757 Fax                     e-mail address =  millerd@cofc.edu

NONE      *HEAL 216 recommended*

GRADING:    A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D, D-, F
 

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

A course designed to explore issues pertaining to the health status of women.  This includes the health
care system, specific diseases related to the body systems, and societal issues which impact
womenís health status.

           Kolander, C.A., HSM, Ballard, D.J., EdD, CHES, Chandler, C.K., EdD, LPC. Contemporary Women's Health:    
            Issues for Today and the Future, (3rd Ed.), 2008. McGraw Hill.

          Page, C.  How the Pro-Choice Movement Saved America:  Freedom, Politics and the War on Sex, 2006.  Basic Book.
          ISBN:  0-465-05489-7

SUPPLEMENTARY READINGS:

Additional readings will be taken from journal articles, other media print, and the Internet.  They will be posted in WebCT or placed on e-reserves.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

Upon the successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:

             1.  Describe the current status of women's health in our global society.
             2.  Describe ethnic, class, and gender bias in the health care system and health research.
             3.  Identify the normal physiological functioning of the female body as well as unique health problems and concerns.
             4.  Examine psychosocial concerns which have an impact upon women's health.
             5.  Identify agencies, groups and organizations which are potential resources when investigating women's
                  health issues.
             6.  Identify sources for uninsured women.
             7.  Discuss the relationship between women's suffrage, civil rights, and peace activism on women's health.
             8.  Identify women who were leaders in improving the health status of women.

REQUIREMENTS:

60% Examinations                              10%  Oral research Presentation
10% Service Learning Project             20% Written Papers

GRADING SCALE:

405 - 450 = A   90-100%             
396 - 404 = A-  88-89%                  
383 - 395 = B+ 85-87 % 
360 - 382 = B   80-84%
351 - 359 = B-  78-79%
338 - 350 = C+ 75-77%
315 - 337 = C   70-74%  
306 - 314 = C-  68-69% 
297 - 305 = D+ 66-67%
288 - 296 = D   64-65%
279 - 287 = D-  62-63%
<287 =        F    < 62%

CLASS EXPECTATIONS:

1.  Active participation by each student is demonstrated by her attendance as well as oral contributions to class discussions.
     Therefore, students must read all assignments BEFORE coming to class.

2.  All assignments (written and oral) should reflect knowledge, current research in the field and its application, appropriate
     use of technology, and creativeness.

3.  All written assignments should be developed on a computer using a word processing program. Work should be typed
     neatly, grammatically correct and presented on time.

4.  Cell phones are to be turned OFF before entering the classroom.  All electronic devices must be kept in bookbags or
     out of sight during class.  Any electronic device that is visible during an exam will result in an Honor Code violation.

5. Students with documented special needs should meet with me to determine what accommodations are required to successfully
    complete the course requirements.  However, any student that needs special assistance is encouraged to meet with me during 
    office hours. I want all of you to be successful in my class and I am here to help you.

6.  Out of respect to the professor, your classmates, and the academic integrity of the College of Charleston, appropriate attire must
     be worn at all times and cover the private areas of your body.  You are expected to conform to the College of Charleston code of
     conduct at all times.  Therefore, any behavior or attire that detracts from the academic learning environment will result in your
     immediate dismissal from the classroom. 

DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENTS

All written assignments must be typed and double spaced.  Your paper should be stapled in the upper left hand corner AFTER it has been edited with a spelling checker and proofread.  Late papers are only accepted due to extenuating circumstances that the professor determines.  All papers will be graded by a rubric posted in WebCT.  This rubric should be the last stapled page of your paper.  Five points (5) will be deducted from your paper for NOT attaching the appropriate rubric.

         1.  FEDERAL AGENCIES:  (25 pts.)        Due Date -  Sept. 11th

Select one of the following federal agencies:  The Public Health Service Office on Women's Health or the Office of Research on Women's Health at NIH.  Go to the Web site and find the mission or reason the office exists.  Identify the mission in your paper.  Then, find one example of an initiative currently underway at the office.  Describe it in 2-3 pages and indicate why you think it is important to women's health.

Each student must complete 10 hours of service learning in a setting of her choice.  There are countless agencies in the tricounty area that you may work with throughout the semester.  Each agency has a brief summary of its mission, contact person, phone number, website, and other valuable information clearly identified at www.tuw.org.  You must keep a log of hours completed and have your supervisor initial each hour spent working.  You should select an area that is of interest and where you feel you can "make a difference" in someone's health status.  Your focus must be on women, children, and/or families. The written paper must include, but is not limited to the following questions:   1. What were your duties or responsibilities at your site?   2. Who were the clients/people that you worked with?  3. How was gender, socieconomic status, ethnicity, and culture related to any health conditions or problems that you become aware of during your service learning project?  4. How did you benefit from working at your site? 5.  How did your clients benefit from your presence at your site?

10 Documented hours                          30 points  (3 pts/hr.)
Written Paper (3-4 pages)                   20 points  

****Written papers may be handed in early upon the completion of all 10 hours of work****

EXAMINATIONS:

        Exams (300 points = 60%)

        Exam I will cover Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5  and all class related materials.
        Exam II will cover  Chapters  8,  9,  14, & 16 and all class related materials.
        Final Exam will cover  Chapters 6, 10, 11, & 15, research presentations, and all class materials)

MAKE-UP EXAMS:

Make-up exams are given at the discretion of the professor and are decided upon individually.  If there is an emergency or you are ill the day of an exam, it is your responsibility to get in touch with me as soon as possible.  According to the College Bulletin, it is in your best interest to contact the Dean of Undergraduate Students and bring documentation in the case of an emergency or prolonged illness.

EVALUATION SCALE:
                                                       Points
            Exam 1.............................     100
            Research Presentation.......      50
            Exam 2.............................     100
            Service Learning.............        50
            Written assignments ..........     50
            Final Exam........................    100
            Total...................................  450
 

AUGUST	TOPIC	TEXT
26 - T	Course overview WebCT postings
28 - TH	Introduction to Women's Health	1
SEPTEMBER
2 - T	Becoming a Wise Consumer	2
4 - TH	Developing A Healthy Lifestyle	3
9 - T	Enhancing Emotional Well-Being	4
11 - TH	VIDEO:  Still Killing Me Softly III ** Federal Agency Paper Due **
16 - T	Managing the Stress of Life	5
18 - TH	*** EXAM I ***                            (Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5)
23 - T	Examining Gynecological Issues	8
25 - TH	Examining Gynecological Issues      * Select Research Topics *
30 - T	Designing Your Reproductive Life Plan	9
OCTOBER
2 - TH	Guest Speaker:  Reproductive Technologies
7 - T	Preventing  STIs and Other Infectious Diseases ***LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW***	14
9 - TH	Preventing  STIs and Other Infectious Diseases **  Insurance for the Uninsured Paper Due  **
14 - T	ENJOY FALL BREAK
16 - TH	Lesbian Health Issues
21 - T	Video:  Breast Cancer in Young Women
23 - TR	Reducing Your Risk of Cancer	16
28 - T	Reducing Your Risk of Cancer
30 - TH	*** EXAM II *** (Chapters  8,  9,  14, & 16)
NOVEMBER
4 - T	Eating Well	10
6 - TH	Managing Cardiovascular Health & Chronic Health Conditions	15
11 - T	Managing Cardiovascular Health & Chronic Health Conditions
13 - TH	Research Project meeting
18 - T	***   RESEARCH PROJECT PRESENTATIONS  ***
20 - TH	***   RESEARCH PROJECT PRESENTATIONS  *** ***  Service Learning Project due ***
25 - T	***   RESEARCH PROJECT PRESENTATIONS  ***
27 - TH	****  ENJOY YOUR THANKSGIVING                                   HOLIDAY  ****
DECEMBER
2 - T	Keeping Fit	11
4 - TH	Preventing Abuse Against Women	6
13 - TH	***   FINAL EXAM *** (Chapters 6, 10, 11, & 15, research presentations, and all class materials)

 

ATTENDANCE :

Your presence is required in class every day. Two (2)  tardies equal one (1) absence. Your grade will be lowered one full letter grade on your 3rd unexcused absence!!! Excused absences include, but are not limited to: death of a family member or friend, court appearance, hospitalization of self or close friend, automobile accident, or some other unpreventable occurrence. All documentation should be taken to the Dean of Undergraduate Students for verification and then the original documentation should be shown to the professor for her final approval. A student will be dropped from the course with a WA after the 4th unexcused absence.   Your attendance is REQUIRED during the oral research project presentations. Your final point total will have 25 points deducted for each class that you arrive late or miss during these presentations.
 

HONOR CODE:

            See the current edition of the College of Charleston's Student Handbook.
 

FINAL EXAM:
 

SATURDAY   DECEMBER 13th     8:00 - 11:00

Room 116 in the Silcox Physical Education & Health Center

EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES:

    Students are encouraged to become active members of the College community as well as the wider Charleston community.
    Therefore, the following opportunities are offered (a maximum of 10 points may be earned for extra credit):

    1.  The Laura Griffin Memorial 5K Run/Walk:   You may earn five (5) bonus points if you participate in the Run/Walk
          on Saturday, January 17th; volunteer to serve on Saturday Jan.17th, work packet pick-up for a minimum of two (2)
          hours on Friday, January 16th, or bring a prize in for the winners.

    2.  Jump Rope for Heart:  You may earn five (5) bonus points if you participate in Jump Rope for Heart on Friday,
          October 3rd.  You must participate (jump/turn) for at least 40 minutes and collect at least fifteen dollars ($15) in
          contributions for the American Heart Association.  This is totally voluntary and a permission slip is required.