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Essential Objectives

Course Syllabus

Revision Date: 22-May-25

Fall 2025 | PSY-1060-VO01 - Introduction to Health Psychology

Online Class

Online courses take place 100% online via Canvas, without required in-person or Zoom meetings.

Location: Online
Credits: 3 (45 hours)
Day/Times: Meets online
Semester Dates: 09-02-2025 to 12-15-2025
Last day to drop without a grade: 09-15-2025 - Refund Policy
Last day to withdraw (W grade): 11-03-2025 - Refund Policy
Open Seats: 17 (as of 07-05-25 2:05 PM)
To check live space availability, Search for Courses.

Faculty

Suzanna Bliss
View Faculty Credentials
View Faculty Statement
Hiring Coordinator for this course: Kate Hughes

General Education Requirements

This section meets the following CCV General Education Requirement(s) for the current catalog year:

VSCS Social Sciences

Note

Many degree programs have specific general education recommendations. In order to avoid taking unnecessary classes, please consult with additional resources like your program evaluation, your academic program catalog year page, and your academic advisor.

Courses may only be used to meet one General Education Requirement.

Course Description

Examines ways in which psychological factors can affect health and well being as well as the influences of cultural and biopsychosocial factors on mental and physical health and health/illness related behaviors. Topics include primary prevention of illness, health enhancing and health damaging behaviors, psychosomatic illness, stress and coping, pain management, and how individuals interact with the health care system.

Essential Objectives

1. Develop an understanding of the complex interplay between one's physical well-being and a variety of biological, psychological, cultural and social factors.
2. Analyze how psychological research methods, theories, and principles can be applied to enhance biomedical approaches for promoting health and treating illness.
3. Understand the nature of the stress response and its impact in the etiology and course of many health problems and discover how behavioral and cognitive methods can help individuals cope with stress.
4. Develop skills for designing programs to improve one's own and others' personal health habits and lifestyles across the lifespan.
5. Compare how psychological and medical methods for relieving pain differ and are often combined to enhance treatment effectiveness.
6. Discover how psychological methods and principles can be applied to help patients manage and cope with chronic illness.

Required Technology

More information on general computer and internet recommendations is available on the CCV computer recommendations Support page.

Please see CCV's Digital Equity Statement (pg. 45) to learn more about CCV's commitment to supporting all students access the technology they need to successfully finish their courses.

Required Textbooks and Resources

PSY-1060-VO01 Link to Textbooks/Resources Information for this course in eCampus.

The last day to use a Financial Aid Advance to purchase textbooks/books is the 3rd Tuesday of the semester. See your financial aid counselor at your academic center if you have any questions.

Artificial Intelligence(AI) Policy Statement

CCV recognizes that artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI tools are widely available and becoming embedded in many online writing and creative applications.

Allowed: This course's generative AI policy acknowledges technology, including generative AI, plays a supportive role in learning and feedback. During our class, we may use AI writing tools such as ChatGPT in certain specific cases. You will be informed as to when, where, and how these tools are permitted to be used, along with guidance for attribution. Any use outside of these specific cases constitutes a violation of CCV's Academic Integrity Policy.

It is crucial for students to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills independently as well as theirproficiency with current technology. If you rely on AI tools, you could impair your intellectual and academic development. For this reason, students who wish to use AI are encouraged to do so only for editing, research support tool. If AI is used to assist you as you compose responses to discussion prompts, it must be cited in APA format.CCV's amazingly helpful library system has developed the following link to assist you in doing this properly.https://libraries.vsc.edu/search/topics/AI/citing

Methods

Discussion based on assigned readings and personal exploration of weekly topics using reputable research sources.

Video Viewing, Reflection, and discussion

Assignments, including a cumulative project

Evaluation Criteria

Your understanding of the course material will be assessed through your participation in the discussion forums (DF and V&R) as well as your performance on assignments.

The point values for assignments are as follows...

20 points each wk. - Discussion Forum (DF) Involvement

20 points each wk. - Video View and Reflect Forum (V&R) Involvement

20 points - Course Details Scavenger Hunt

40 points - Your Health Assets questionnaire

40 points - Sleep and Exercise Journal

50 point - Research Methods quiz

100 points - Healthy Practices Action Plan

Grading Criteria

CCV Letter Grades as outlined in the Evaluation System Policy are assigned according to the following chart:

High Low

A+ 100 98

A Less than 98 93

A- Less than 93 90

B+ Less than 90 88

B Less than 88 83

B- Less than 83 80

C+ Less than 80 78

C Less than 78 73

C- Less than 73 70

D+ Less than 70 68

D Less than 68 63

D- Less than 63 60

F Less than 60

P 100 60

NP Less than 60 0

Weekly Schedule

Week/Module	Topic	Readings	Assignments

1	Information for my proffessor form Course Expectations Introductions Course Requirements Scavenger Hunt Video View & Reaction (V&R) Forum	Course description Grading Rubrics and 'Finding & Correctly Citing Resources' modules Related video(s)	"Info. for my professor" form Familiarize yourself with the course site, Course Description,Grading Rubrics and 'Finding & Correctly Citing Resources' modules. Then, take the Open Notes Course Details Scavenger Hunt. Watch the required video(s) and post your reflection in response to the provided prompt. Complete Discussion Forum 1 (DF 1) in which you introduce yourself to the group by Thursday at midnight. Comment on a classmate’s post by Monday at midnight.

2	Introducing Health Psychology Research in Health Psychology	Chapters 1 and 2 Related Videos	Read Chapters 1 and 2 early in the week. Reflect on the reading. Post your answer to the discussion forum (DF) prompt by Thursday at midnight. Comment on a classmate’s post by Monday at midnight. View the required video links and post your answer to the Video View and Reflect (V&R) prompt by Thursday at midnight. Then, comment on a classmate’s post by Monday at midnight. Take the 50 point open-book quiz on Research Methods by Monday at midnight.

3	Biological Foundations of Health and Illness Epigenetics	Chapter 3 Related video(s) *If you haven't taken Human Biology or Anatomy & Physiology, you may want to watch the Youtube video "Physiology Tour".	Read Chapter 3 early in the week. Reflect on the reading. Post your answer to the discussion forum (DF) prompt by Thursday at midnight. Comment on a classmate’s post by Monday at midnight. View the required video links and post your answer to the Video View and Reflect (V&R) prompt by Thursday at midnight. Then, comment on a classmate’s post by Monday at midnight.

4	Stress Coping with Stress	Chapters 4 and 5 Related video(s) "Your Health Assets" Questionnaire	Read Chapters 4 and 5 early in the week. Reflect on the reading. Post your answer to the discussion forum (DF) prompt by Thursday at midnight. Comment on a classmate’s post by Monday at midnight. View the required video links and post your answer to the Video View and Reflect (V&R) prompt by Thursday at midnight. Then, comment on a classmate’s post by Monday at midnight. Complete the"Your Health Assets" Questionnaire and submit a 1-2 page reflection (plus references page) about it in response to the provided prompt. Incorporate specific examples and references to the readings and videos in your reflection.

5	Nutrition Obesity Eating Disorders	Chapter 8 Related video(s)	Read Chapters 8 (NOT 6) and reflect on the reading. Post your answer to the prompt by Thursday at midnight. Comment on a classmate’s post by Monday at midnight. View the required video links and post your answer to the Video View and Reflect (V&R) prompt by Thursday at midnight. Then, comment on a classmate’s post by Monday at midnight.

6	Substance Abuse and Abuse Addiction Understanding Stigma	Chapter 9 Related video(s)	Read Chapter 9 early in the week. Reflect on the reading. Post your answer to the discussion forum (DF) prompt by Thursday at midnight. Comment on a classmate’s post by Monday at midnight. View the required video links and post your answer to the Video View and Reflect (V&R) prompt by Thursday at midnight. Then, comment on a classmate’s post by Monday at midnight. * For 20 points of extra credit, view the docudrama “The Social Dilemma”. Then summarize and reflect on it.

7	Cardiovascular Disease Diabetes Cancer Laughter Yoga	Chapters 10 and 11 Related video(s)	Read Chapters 10 and 11 early in the week. Reflect on the reading. Post your answer to the discussion forum (DF) prompt by Thursday at midnight. Comment on a classmate’s post by Monday at midnight. View the required video links and post your answer to the Video View and Reflect (V&R) prompt by Thursday at midnight. Then, comment on a classmate’s post by Monday at midnight.

8	HIV/AIDS Other Communicable Diseases	Read Chapter 12. Required video(s)	Read Chapter 12 early in the week. Reflect on the reading. Post your answer to the discussion forum (DF) prompt by Thursday at midnight. Comment on a classmate’s post by Monday at midnight. View the required video links and post your answer to the Video View and Reflect (V&R) prompt by Thursday at midnight. Then, comment on a classmate’s post by Monday at midnight.

9	Role of Health Psychology in Seeking and Obtaining Care Managing Pain	Chapters 13 and 14 Related video(s)	Read Chapters 13 and 14 early in the week. Reflect on the reading. Post your answer to the discussion forum (DF) prompt by Thursday at midnight. Comment on a classmate’s post by Monday at midnight. View the required video links and post your answer to the Video View and Reflect (V&R) prompt by Thursday at midnight. Then, comment on a classmate’s post by Monday at midnight.

10	Complimentary and Alternative Medicine Health Psychology Today and Tomorrow	Chapter 15 Epilogue: Health Psychology Today and Tomorrow Related video(s)	Read Chapter 15 and the epilogue early in the week. Reflect on the reading. Post your answer to the discussion forum (DF) prompt by Thursday at midnight. Comment on a classmate’s post by Monday at midnight. View the required video links and post your answer to the Video View and Reflect (V&R) prompt by Thursday at midnight. Then, comment on a classmate’s post by Monday at midnight.

11	Exercise Sleep Injury Control	Chapter 7 Related video(s)	Read Chapter 7 and the epilogue early in the week. Reflect on the reading. Post your answer to the discussion forum (DF) prompt by Thursday at midnight. Comment on a classmate’s post by Monday at midnight. View the required video links and post your answer to the Video View and Reflect (V&R) prompt by Thursday at midnight. Then, comment on a classmate’s post by Monday at midnight.

12	Staying Healthy: Primary Prevention Positive Psychology	Chapter 6 Related video(s)	Read Chapter 6 and the epilogue early in the week. Reflect on the reading. Post your answer to the discussion forum (DF) prompt by Thursday at midnight. Comment on a classmate’s post by Monday at midnight. View the required video links and post your answer to the Video View and Reflect (V&R) prompt by Thursday at midnight. Then, comment on a classmate’s post by Monday at midnight. Pre-read the directions for the Healthy Practices Action Plan (HPAP) that is due next week and start thinking about how you want to approach this important assignment.

13	Gratitude Blue Zone Project Healthy Practices Action Plans	Related video(s)	We’ll have a Gratitude DF. Post your response to the prompt by Thursday at midnight. Comment on a classmate’s post by Monday at midnight. View the required video links and post your answer to the Video View and Reflect (V&R) prompt by Thursday at midnight. Then, comment on a classmate’s post by Monday at midnight. Healthy Practices Action Plan (HPAP) Project -Write a detailed 3 to 5 page (plus reference page) Healthy Action Plan. Choose 2 to 4 healthy practices that you'd like to introduce or increase in your life. Clearly describe them and explain their potential benefits. In detail, lay out a plan for introducing them and maintaining them as part of your daily or weekly routine. Refer to the readings (especially chapters 7 and 6) and videos from the semester. Explain the transtheoretical model (TTM). State where you currently fall within the TTM for each of your chosen healthy practices. Submit it by Monday at midnight. This is an important cumulative project for the course. I expect you to refer to additional current research as you discuss your choices and your approach to achieving your goals. * I recommend looking at the grading rubric for this project to make sure that you include all the required parts.

14	Happiness Inspiration Empathy	Related video(s)	Post your response to the DF prompt by Thursday at midnight. Comment on a classmate’s post by Monday at midnight. View the required video links and post your answer to the Video View and Reflect (V&R) prompt by Thursday at midnight. Then, comment on a classmate’s post by Monday at midnight.

15	Nature and Beauty Inspiration	Related video(s)	Post your response to the DF prompt by Thursday at midnight. Comment on a classmate’s post by Monday at midnight. View the required video links and post your answer to the Video View and Reflect (V&R) prompt by Thursday at midnight. Then, comment on a classmate’s post by Monday at midnight. Complete the course evaluation.

Attendance Policy

Regular attendance and participation in classes are essential for success in and are completion requirements for courses at CCV. A student's failure to meet attendance requirements as specified in course descriptions will normally result in a non-satisfactory grade.

In general, missing more than 20% of a course due to absences, lateness or early departures may jeopardize a student's ability to earn a satisfactory final grade.
Attending an on-ground or synchronous course means a student appeared in the live classroom for at least a meaningful portion of a given class meeting. Attending an online course means a student posted a discussion forum response, completed a quiz or attempted some other academically required activity. Simply viewing a course item or module does not count as attendance.
Meeting the minimum attendance requirement for a course does not mean a student has satisfied the academic requirements for participation, which require students to go above and beyond simply attending a portion of the class. Faculty members will individually determine what constitutes participation in each course they teach and explain in their course descriptions how participation factors into a student's final grade.

Participation Expectations

In general, to earn full participation points for the week, students should:

Do assigned readings and demonstrate an understanding of the concepts therein.

Make the required Discussion Forum (DF) and Video View and Reaction (V&R) posts on time each week. Posts should be substantive and demostrate that the student is relating the information to their life experience and future career goals,and demonstrate college-level writing. References should be cited using APA format.

Interact with classmates and the instructorpolitely and respectfully.

On weeks with a quiz or assignment, complete them thoroughly before the designated deadlines.

Make a plan for complete assignments thoroughly and on time.

Contact the CCV library staff for assistance with finding additional resources to broaden course content and reinforce views presented.

Reach out and ask for clarification or assistance as needed.

Missing & Late Work Policy

Neglecting to post during a course week is counted as an absence. Plan to post each week!

More than 2 absences will result in a non-passing grade.

Course weeks are opened weeks in advance to encourage students to complete their work early. If a student has an upcoming event, such as a scheduled surgery, that may cause them to require an extension, they should reach out before rather than after the event takes place. if you need to request an extension after adeadline has passed, include a doctor's note with the request.

* Refer to the provided rubrics to see how late and missing work will impact your point accumulation.

Accessibility Services for Students with Disabilities:

CCV strives to mitigate barriers to course access for students with documented disabilities. To request accommodations, please

Provide disability documentation to the Accessibility Coordinator at your academic center. https://ccv.edu/discover-resources/students-with-disabilities/
Request an appointment to meet with accessibility coordinator to discuss your request and create an accommodation plan.
Once created, students will share the accommodation plan with faculty. Please note, faculty cannot make disability accommodations outside of this process.

Academic Integrity

CCV has a commitment to honesty and excellence in academic work and expects the same from all students. Academic dishonesty, or cheating, can occur whenever you present -as your own work- something that you did not do. You can also be guilty of cheating if you help someone else cheat. Being unaware of what constitutes academic dishonesty (such as knowing what plagiarism is) does not absolve a student of the responsibility to be honest in his/her academic work. Academic dishonesty is taken very seriously and may lead to dismissal from the College.

Apply Now for this semester.

Register for this semester: March 31 - August 29