HLHSCI - 140 - Introduction to Public Health - Shoghig Manoukian

Introduction

I am very excited that you are taking the HLHSCI-140 Introduction to Public Health course with College of the Canyons! This may be your first encounter with a college class, and I hope you will take this opportunity to become familiar with the course content, ask questions, and learn much from this course.  This is a college level science course, and you will be expected to use APA 7 format, conduct research, and turn in your coursework on time. The primary method of instruction and communication will be through our online class CANVAS page. If you have questions or need assistance, I can be contacted through the CANVAS site or direct email. Please allow up to 24 hours for an email response on weekdays and 48 on weekends. Be sure to put in the time and effort to go over the lecture materials, participate in the discussions, and complete all of the assignments. Given this is a college level class you should expect to spend at least (if not more) up to the number of units this class is worth in hours of study outside of class per week. You are also responsible for regularly checking your canyons.edu email and Canvas for class announcements, supplemental course materials, and assignments. You must also be responsible for asking for help when you need it.  Ask questions, every question is a good question!

Course Description

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

Your goal is to be able to successfully evaluate the role and efficacy of public health services in contemporary society.

Course Objectives

1. Define important foundational concepts in community/public health.
2. Identify different public health disciplines, professions, organizations, and explain how each contributes to the field of public health.
3. Describe historical development of public health including the most important achievements of public health.
4. Distinguish the difference between personal and public health.
5. Distinguish how public health differs from the traditional Western medicine approach to treating disease and illness.
6. Demonstrate the use of basic epidemiological methods, such as the analysis of rates, and the definition of cases, population at risk, risk factors, incidence, prevalence, morbidity, and mortality.
7. Outline strategies for prevention, detection, and control of infectious and chronic disease.
8. Outline the process of community organizing, building and health promotion programming.
9. Describe the interplay between health determinants, such as environmental conditions, social, behavioral, and cultural factors, and biological considerations, and explain the role of each in determining local, national, and global health organization and policy.
10. Analyze current public health issues and describe how they affect societal well-being among specific populations of age, sex, ethnicity, minority, education, and socioeconomic status.
11. Describe the organization, financing, and delivery of various medical and population-based services in the U.S. healthcare system.
12. Identify, assess, and utilize credible information resources on community health current issues, such as the internet, social media, media outlets, and libraries.

What to Expect in this Course

Students are expected to participate in the online discussion posts. Participation is recorded through Canvas. A lack of participation in the first week is defined by not turning in the first week’s acknowledgement assignments (Due Sunday of Week 1 Module), discussion post and responses (Response Post Due by Wednesday and the 2 responses to classmates by Friday of the Week 1 Module), will result in being dropped from the course. No participation in module 1, or throughout the semester by missing more than 2 assignments (Essays/Midterm or discussions) will result in the student being dropped from the course.

Late work is not permitted. In order to provide the continuum of care in all aspects of healthcare it is necessary to be punctual. Assignments are to be submitted no later than the day and time that are provided on the syllabus. If you turn in work late you will receive 0 points (a zero score). If you have an emergency that involves an extenuating circumstance that you can document, you must contact the instructor and provide proof within three days of what has transpired or the grade of 0 will remain. Please contact the Instructor if you need help. You must be responsible for communicating if you need help by emailing the Instructor. Therefore, do not wait until the end of the semester to ask for help as there is only so much that can be accomplished at the end. 

Students will have discussion posts, respond to 2 other students, midterm exam, and final paper for the class. This class includes videos and media that help to enhance the learning of each module building upon the one from the week prior. 

Course Requirements and How to Log into Your Class

1. A course textbook is required. The textbook is “Schneider, M. J. (2016). Introduction to public health 5th ed. (or 6th ed), Jones & Bartlett Publishers.” You can purchase this textbook from the College of the Canyons bookstore “https://coc.bncollege.com/shop/coc/home” or any other book vendor.
2. Regular access to a reliable computer with stable, high-speed internet connection. This can be either a personal computer, a computer in the College of the Canyons library or in the College of the Canyons Learning Center, or at a public library computer. This is so that you can have regular access to the College of the Canyons course CANVAS page. A webcam is NOT required. The College of the Canvas page can is found at “https://coc.instructure.com/” Follow the instructions if this if your first-time logging in. You can also download the Canvas App for your smartphone! (Canvas by Instructure)
   1. You need the following software on the computer:
      1. Internet browser (Chrome works best with Canvas)
      2. Microsoft Word. You can download the Microsoft Office Suite for FREE as part of your school My Canyons account (my.canyons.edu)
3. Access to your MyCanyons email.

Types of Assessments

Students will have discussion posts, respond to 2 other students, midterm exam, and final paper for the class. This class includes videos and media that help to enhance the learning of each module building upon the one from the week prior. The first week of assignments will include material that will help the student understand the syllabus, APA 7 format, and acknowledge that anti-plagiarism software (Turn it In) will be utilized for all assignments in the class.  

Textbook Information

Required Textbook:

Schneider, M. J. (2016). Introduction to public health 5th ed. (or 6th ed), Jones & Bartlett Publishers.

Other Relevant Course Information

This course introduces the discipline of public health including terminology, the role of public health agencies in society, public health professions, epidemiology, healthcare policy, and management. Ask questions, read ahead, use a calendar to make sure you do not miss assignments and watch all the media. There is so much to cover in this class so email me when you have questions!

Additional Resources

Canvas

This course can be accessed on the first day of class via Canvas at https://coc.instructure.com. Log into Canvas using your CanyonsID single sign-on:

• CanyonsID Username is your COC student email address (Ex: username@my.canyons.edu)
• CanyonsID Password is your COC student email password

Please visit the Get to Know Your Online Classroom page for help logging into Canvas and for tips on using Canvas and Zoom. Canvas Chat Support is also available 24/7 for any Canvas related issues.

Online Education

Check out the Online Education website for more information on a variety of topics that can help you be a successful online student such as: exam proctoring, learning styles, computer skills, and tips for student success. If this is your first online course, feel free to take our online learning readiness assessment to assess your skills.

The Learning Center (TLC)

The TLC provides FREE online tutoring resources to COC students!

Academic Accommodation Center (AAC)

College of the Canyons AAC provides educational services and access for eligible students with documented disabilities who intend to pursue coursework at COC. A variety of programs and services are available which afford eligible students with disabilities the opportunity to participate fully in all aspects of the college programs and activities through appropriate and reasonable accommodations. For more information on their services visit the Academic Accomodation Center website.

Online Counseling

The Counseling Department offers appointments online. You can schedule an appointment by visiting the Online Counseling website. Counselors can help you map out a plan to reach your educational goals as well as advise you on course selection and registration.

Management of Stress and Mental Health

Often the pressure on our students is very strong, involving academic commitments, relationships, outside jobs and family pressure to name a few. The staff and faculty of College of the Canyons are here to see you succeed academically and care about your emotional and physical health. You can learn more about the broad range of confidential student services, including counseling and mental health services available on campus by visiting the Student Health & Wellness Center in the Student Services Building (across from the bookstore). The phone number is 661-362-3259 that you can call 24/7. You can also e mail for an appointment at StudentHealthCenter@canyons.edu. At the Canyon Country Campus the Health Center will be in the new Student Services Building.

Also, the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline number is now 988. All students at COC are encouraged to enter that phone number in their cells. You can call it when you, or someone you know, is having thoughts of suicide or is in severe distress.

You can also now use the Crisis Text Line: Just text "Courage" to 741741. Someone will get back to you immediately. Its free, 24/7, and confidential.

Veterans Resource Center

The College of the Canyons Veterans Resource Center is a department within the Student Services Division at the college, created to help veterans and veteran dependents with applying to College of the Canyons, enrolling in classes, and requesting VA Education or Vocational Benefits. For more information please visit the Veterans Resource Center website, email veterans@canyons.edu or phone (661) 362-3469.

Library

The Library provides live online and in-person research help, access to a full range of e-resources and physical materials that support the curriculum, individual and group study areas, and much more!

Last updated: 08/22/2024 Sub#: 1827