TIME & PLACE:

    1:40-2:55  TTH    Room 111 Silcox Physical Education and Health Center

INSTRUCTOR:

    Dr. Deborah A. Miller

OFFICE:

    310 Silcox Physical Education and Health Center

OFFICE HOURS:

   10:00 -11:00 MWF, 11:00-12:00 TTH, & by appointment

PHONE/FAX:

    (843) 953-8248 (843) 953-5558 (Sec.) (843) 953-6757 Fax

E-MAIL:

millerd@cofc.edu

WEB PAGE:

    www.cofc.edu/~millerd

PREREQUISITES:

    None

COURSE TEXT:

    Barrett, S., Jarvis,W., Kroger, M. & London, W. (2007). Consumer Health: A Guide to Intelligent Decisions.
    8th Edition. WCB/McGraw-Hill.
 

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

    An examination of the factors involved in the selection and evaluation of health services and products. Topics
    will also include quackery, consumer protection laws and organizations, and health insurance considerations.
 

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

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

• Identify the role of self-responsibility in maintaining health
• Explain why health quackery persists despite the current level of medical and scientific knowledge and the potential impact on his health.
•  Recognize warning signs of deceptive advertising and quackery.
•  Discuss consumer protection laws/organizations and provide a rationale for them.
•  Analyze health products and services, especially in the areas of diet and weight loss.
•  Describe how to determine viable and questionable alternatives to traditional health care.
•  Discuss the merits and options of health insurance plans in an era of increasing health care costs.

REQUIREMENTS:

    63%  (3 exams)
    37%   Commercial and Ad Analysis, Research Project, Service Learning Project
 

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 unless specified.  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. 

A.  COMMERCIAL & AD ANALYSIS (25 pts)                Due:  January 24 and 29th

Working with a partner, each pair is to find a television commercial or ad that deals with a
health product or item.  (You may either tape the ad or find it on the internet.)  After showing the ad
to the class, critique the ad using the following questions: 

1. What is the purpose of the commercial and advertisement?(2 pts)

    Of course, the obvious thing for any advertisement is to sell the product, but there are many ways in which this
    may be done. The purpose may be to counteract some adverse report about the product; it may be to build a
    particular public image; or it may be to simply make you feel good. Its sales appeal may be overt or covert. In
    any case, the most general overall purpose of the ad should be isolated. If more than one purpose is apparent,
    each should be stated accordingly.

2. What techniques (type of appeal) are utilized to sell this product?     (5 pts)

3. What message comes across to the casual viewer when confronted with the ad?     (3 pts)

    Since many people just casually glance at ads on television, they must be designed to deliver a message quickly,
    without any type of script.  For example, a picture of a big banana split might simply make a person hungry for
    something sweet. What are the subliminal messages found in this commercial or ad?
   
4. What information does the ad contain? (10 pts)

    Ads are meant to sell a product or idea and make statements which sound factual. Often the ad tells only the
    portion of the truth that is favorable to the product. Occasionally the ad tells the truth and offers some evidence
    of their claims. In order to discern the truth, a number of sub-questions must be asked:

• What information presented in the ad is true?
• What information presented in the ad is false?
• What information presented in the ad is misleading?
• What does the ad leave out that is an important consideration?
• What does the ad say by implication?

5. Grammar, punctuation, writing style.     (5 pts) 

   A 2-3 page paper will be handed in by each pair with the answers to the above questions.
 

B.  SERVICE LEARNING PROJECT:  (50 pts.)   Due Date = April 15th

Each student must complete 10 hours of service learning in a setting of his/her choice.  The instructor has compiled a booklet of more than 250 agencies in the tricounty area that the student 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. The student must keep a log of hours completed and have his/her supervisor initial each hour spent volunteering.  Students should select an area that is of interest and where they feel they can "make a difference".  The written paper must answer the following questions:  1.  What were your duties or responsibilities at your site?  2.  Who were the clients/people that you worked with?              3. Describe any health conditions or problems that you became aware of during your volunteer experience.  4. Describe any consumer health issues you observed.  5. What did you learn from volunteering at your site?   See www.tuw.org for the agencies in the booklet.

  10 Documented hours                     10 hrs. x 3 pts. each =                    30 points
  Written Paper (2-3 pages)              Due Date = November 20th           20 points

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

 
C.  RESEARCH PRESENTATIONS:  (50 pts.)        Randomly selected for 3/20, 3/25, 3/27 & 4/1

    You will work in a small group with 2 other people and present the class with a creative, unique, and enjoyable
    presentation about the effectiveness of a health product/item.  These multi-media presentations must be 15
    minutes in length and everyone in your group must be actively involved. Each group of 3 people is expected to do a
    comparative anaylsis of a product that is made by several different companies.  We want to know which product is the best
    buy and why.  Which manufacturer is telling the truth and will the consumer get his/her money's worth?  A 1-2 page detailed
    outline with information about your product must be handed out to your professor and every student in the class the day of your
    presentation.  You will need to do some background research into how the product works and what was needed to get its patent.
 

    Exam 1 will cover Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4 and all class materials.
    Exam 2 will cover Chapters 5, 9, 11, 12, 13, & 14 and all class materials.
    Exam 3 will cover Chapters 8, 10, & 23, and all class materials.
    Final Exam will cover all class materials.
 

CLASS EXPECTATIONS:

1.  Active participation by each student is demonstrated by his/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.  Text messaging during class is disrespectful and should not be done.  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. 

EVALUATION SCALE:
                                                            Points
    Exam 1..................................            100
    Advertisement Analysis...............       25
    Exam 2.................................             100                 Special Note:  You may drop your lowest exam score
    Research Project.....................             50                                          
    Exam 3.................................             100
    Service Learning Project..........           50
    Final Exam...........................             100

   Total Points......................                 425

                                                  Tentative Course Outline

JANUARY	TOPIC	TEXT
10 TH	Introductions & Course Overview
15 T	Intro. to WebCT information Consumer Health Issues	1
17 TH	Advertising & Other Marketing Practices	4
22 T	Separating Fact From Fiction Frauds & Quackery	2, 3
24 TH	** Ad critiques presented to class **
29 T	** Ad critiques presented to class ** Video:  "Side Effects"
31 TH	Video:  "Side Effects"
FEBRUARY
5 T	*** EXAM 1 ***   (Chapters 1, 2, 3, & 4)
7 TH	Basic Nutrition Concepts Nutrition Fads, Fallacies, & Scams Group Project Meeting Time  (10 min)	11, 12
12 T	Weight Control Websites:  Fad Diets and their analysis	13
14 TH	Self-care Group Project Meeting Time (10 min)	9
19 T	Field Trip:  Books, Herbs, and Spices  (Mr. Tom Williams) Supplements & Herbs - Do they work and are they dangerous?
20 W	LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW
21 TH	Video:  SICKO
26 T	Video:  SICKO
28 TH	Fitness Concepts, Products, & Services	14
MARCH
3-7	***  ENJOY --  SPRING--   BREAK  ***
11 T	Science-Based Health Care Group Project Meeting Time  (10 min)	5
13 TH	*** Exam 2 *** (Chapters 5, 9, 11, 12, 13, & 14)
18 T	Complementary & Alternative Medicine	8
20 TH	***  GROUP RESEARCH PROJECTS  ***
25 T	***  GROUP RESEARCH PROJECTS  ***
27 TH	***  GROUP RESEARCH PROJECTS  ***
APRIL
1 T	***  GROUP RESEARCH PROJECTS  ***
3 TH	Health Insurance	23
8 T	Health-Care Facilities	10
10 TH	***  Exam 3  *** (Chapters  8, 10, & 23)
15 T	Legal Issues in Death:  Wills, Power of Attorney, Medical Power of Attorney ***  Service Learning Papers Due  ***
17 TH	***  FIELD TRIP TO McALISTER FUNERAL HOME  ***
22 T	Health-Care Economics Consumer Laws, Agencies, & Strategies Course review & evaluations	24, 25
MAY
1 TH	***   FINAL EXAM ***   12:00 - 3:00

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.

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 most current edition of the College of Charleston Student Handbook.

FINAL EXAM:

           Thursday, May 1st  12:00-3:00   Room 111  Silcox 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 19th; volunteer to serve on Saturday Jan.19th or work packet pick-up for a minimum of two (2)
          hours on Friday, January 18th.

    2.  Dance Marathon:  You may earn five (5) bonus points if you participate in the Dance Marathon on Friday,
          January 18th - Saturday, January 19th. 

    3.  Jump Rope for Heart:  You may earn five (5) bonus points if you participate in Jump Rope for Heart on Friday,
          February 15th.  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.

    4.  Cooper River Bridge Run:   You may earn five (5) bonus points if you participate in the Bridge Run on Saturday, April
         5th, volunteer to work the race,  or stuff packets for a minimum of two (2) hours on dates to be announced.
 
  ** Additional opportunities will be announced before they occur.  All extra credit is voluntary and not needed to complete the course**