Graduate School of Public Health
San Diego State University
Division of Health Promotion and Behavioral Science
Professional Seminar in Public Health
Fall 2011, 2 Units
Class day/time: Thursdays, 4-5:30pm
Class location: LSN-132
Schedule number: 22342
Email: hmadanat@mail.sdsu.edu
Instructor: Hala Madanat, PhD
Instructor office hours: Th 2-3:00
Office location: Hepner Hall 114-D
Phone: 619-594-3754
San Diego State University is dedicated to a safe, supportive and nondiscriminatory
environment. It is the responsibility of all students to familiarize themselves with
University policies regarding nondiscrimination, misconduct and academic honesty.
Nondiscrimination Policy
San Diego State University complies with the requirements of Title VI and Title VII of
the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as well as other applicable federal and state laws prohibiting
discrimination. No person shall, on the basis of race, color, or national origin be
excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to
discrimination in any program of the California State University
SDSU does not discriminate on the basis of disability in admission or access to, or
treatment or employment in, its programs and activities. Students should direct inquiries
concerning San Diego State University’s compliance with all relevant disability laws to
the Director of Student Disability Services (SDS), Calpulli Center, Room 3101, San
Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92128 or call 619-594-6473 (TDD: 619-5942929).
SDSU does not discriminate on the basis of sex, gender, or sexual orientation in the
educational programs or activities it conducts.
More detail on SDSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy can be found in the SDSU General
Catalog, University Policies.
Student Conduct and Grievances
SDSU is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy living and learning environment
for students, faculty and staff. Sections 41301, Standards for Student Conduct, and
Sections 41302-41304 of the University Policies regarding student conduct should be
reviewed.
If a student believes that a professor’s treatment is grossly unfair or that a professor’s
behavior is clearly unprofessional, the student may bring the complaint to the proper
university authorities and official reviewing bodies. See University policies on Student
Grievances.
Attention Students with Disabilities
If you have any disability which may impair your ability to successfully complete this
course, please let me know during the first two weeks of class. Accommodations are
coordinated through the Student Disability Services and require documentation. The
SDSU office is located at the Calpulli Center, Suite 3101, Phone: (619) 594-6473.
I. Learning Objectives: The content of the course and the method of evaluation have
been designed to achieve the following objectives:
1. Assist students with integration into the program and the field of public health.
2. Help students formulate a plan to get the most of their doctoral program, graduate
in a timely manner, and prepare for their professional careers.
3. Facilitate students’ professional socialization
4. Understand and discuss current pressing research or practice topics in health
global health, or epidemiology;
II. Text and Readings:
1. Sindermann, CJ. Winning the Games Scientists Play, Revised Edition. Basic
Books; 2001: 320pp. ISBN #: 978-0738204253
2. Course readings will be distributed during the semester
III. Assignments
Learning Outcomes (15% of grade)
This assignment is posted on blackboard under “assignments”. Please read this before
first session with Brock S. Allen on September 8th.
Seminar Discussion (35% of grade)
You are expected to become fully familiar with the weekly reading, to prepare questions
and comments to share with other seminar participants, and to actively participate in
discussions. Instructor evaluation will be used. There will be weeks for which I will have
short assignments for you that are not graded but will be used as part of the seminar
discussion. Being prepared for these will also be part of the evaluation.
Curriculum Vitae (20% of grade)
Prepare your own vitae. Identify areas that need strengthening depending on your plan for
your career. Instructor evaluation will be used.
Assessment of presentation (30% of grade) – 15% will be based on instructor assessment
and 15% based on the student’s self assessment
Have one of your other class presentations be taped by one of your colleagues. Watch and
write a critique of your presentation skills. Submit both the video recording and your
critique by the last day of class.
Grading Scale:
Total Points
96-100
90-95
87-89
84-86
80-83
77-79
74-76
70-73
F
Assigned Grade
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
C<70
IV. Course policies
1. Attendance
Attendance is mandatory. Students are allowed one excused absence during the semester
after which points will be taken from the “Seminar Discussion” grade. In addition,
professional behavior will be expected including arriving to class on time and not leaving
early.
2. Religious holidays
According to the University Policy File, students should notify the instructors of affected
courses of planned absences for religious observances by the end of the second week of
classes.
3. Academic misconduct
Academic Integrity
Academic dishonesty is an affront to the integrity of scholarship at SDSU and a threat to
the quality of learning. Violations of academic integrity are noted in the SDSU Statement
of Student Rights and Responsibilities:
2.1 Cheating shall be defined as the act of obtaining or attempting to obtain credit for
academic work by the use of dishonest, deceptive, or fraudulent means. Examples of
cheating include, but are not limited to (a) copying, in part or in whole, from another’s
test or other examination; (b) discussing answers or ideas relating to the answers on a test
or other examination without the permission of the instructor; (c) obtaining copies of a
test, an examination, or other course material without the permission of the instructor; (d)
using notes, cheat sheets, or other devices considered inappropriate under the prescribed
testing condition; (e) collaborating with another or others in work to be presented without
the permission of the instructor; (f) falsifying records, laboratory work, or other course
data; (g) submitting work previously presented in another course, if contrary to the rules
of the course; (h) altering or interfering with the grading procedures; (i) plagiarizing, as
defined; and (j) knowingly and intentionally assisting another student in any of the above.
2.2 Plagiarism shall be defined as the act of incorporating ideas, words, or specific
substance of another, whether purchased, borrowed, or otherwise obtained, and
submitting same to the University as one’s own work to fulfill academic requirements
without giving credit to the appropriate source. Plagiarism shall include but not be limited
to (a) submitting work, either in part or in whole, completed by another; (b) omitting
footnotes for ideas, statements, facts, or conclusions that belong to another; (c) omitting
quotation marks when quoting directly from another, whether it be a paragraph, sentence,
or part thereof; (d) close and lengthy paraphrasing of the writings of another; (e)
submitting another person’s artistic works, such as musical compositions, photographs,
paintings, drawings, or sculptures; and (f) submitting as one’s own work papers
purchased from research companies.
3.0 Academic and Punitive Sanctions: Cheating and plagiarism in connection with the
academic program at The University may warrant two separate and distinct courses of
disciplinary action that may be applied concurrently in response to a violation of this
policy: (a) academic sanctions, such as grade modifications; and (b) punitive sanctions,
such as probation, suspension, or expulsion.
All students in this class are required to complete the online information literacy
tutorial, "Plagiarism: The Crime of Intellectual Kidnapping," a 30-minute tutorial that
teaches students about plagiarism, paraphrasing, and citing sources. Students are to take
this tutorial outside of class time and take the quiz that follows it. They will receive a
score on screen that they can print and this printed score must be submitted as proof of
completion by September 15h or they will be dropped from the course automatically.
The tutorial is at http://infotutor.sdsu.edu/plagiarism/
4. Writing Style for Assignments
All assignments are to be typed and double-spaced. Use APA style for all title page,
headings, margins, spelling, grammar, references, figures, tables, and appendices.
5. Blackboard
Students are required to check blackboard at least once a week for announcements and
additional required readings. Furthermore, all assignments must be turned in using the
digital dropbox on blackboard. No assignments will be accepted by email.
“Students agree that by taking this course all required papers may be subject to
submission for textual similarity review to Turninit.com for the detection of plagiarism.
All submitted papers may be included as source documents in the Turninit database
solely for the purpose of detecting plagiarism of such papers. You may submit your
papers in such a way that no identifying information about you is included. Another
option is that you may request, in writing, that your papers not be submitted to Turninit.
However, if you choose this option you will be required to provide documentation to
substantiate that the papers are your original work and do not include any plagiarized
material.”
Course Calendar
Date
Topics/ Readings
Week 1
Sept 1
Introduction to course – Career Goals
Mentorship
Think of the expectations you have of your mentor and
the expectations they may have of you
Selecting Mentors
Week 2
Sept 8
Learning Outcomes.
Guest Speaker: Brock Allen
Week 3
Sept 15
Week 4
Sept 22
Week 5
Sept 29
Library Session 1
Week 7
Oct 13
Dissertation planning and doctoral program
suggestions
Week 8
Oct 20
Ethical Issues
Sindermann: preface, introduction, and chapter 9
Week 10
Nov 3
Read assignment on
blackboard as well as
PLURIS
Professional Organizations
Research two public health organizations you may want
to join. Identify their mission, fees, and conference
schedule.
Conferences and Presentations: oral vs poster
Sindermann: Chapter 2
CVs
Planning your trajectory
Research two jobs you may be interested in after you
graduate
Sindermann: Chapter 13
Learning Outcomes.
Guest Speaker: Brock Allen
Week 6
Oct 6
Week 9
Oct 27
Assignments
CV due date
Marilyn Hall
Noe Crespo, Angela
Robertson, Ding Ding,
Bonnie Tran
Read: Ten Simple
Rules for Building and
Maintaining a
Scientific Reputation
Research in the media
Bring an article from the news that discusses a public
health topic. Ask yourself the following questions: Do
Dr. Suchi Ayala
the results make sense? Is there bias in the way the
reporter described the research? Is the article balanced?
Sindermann: Chapter 12
Read: Reviewing
What is service?
Manuscripts for PeerGrant, manuscript, and book reviews
Review Journals: A
Primer for Novice and
Seasoned Reviewers
Dr. Rick Schaffer
Week 11
Nov 10
Week 12
Nov 17
Week 13
Nov 24
Week 14
Dec 1
Week 15
Dec 8
China Event
Library Session 2
Dr. Tom Novotny
Marilyn Hall
No Class! Happy Thanksgiving!
CDC Careers
Library session 3
Dr. Tom Novotny
Marilyn Hall
DISCLAIMER: Every effort will be made to follow the syllabus content and schedule;
however, if circumstances dictate there may be modifications necessary during the
semester. If such is the case the professor will make every effort to notify students in a
timely manner.