Course Number & Complete Course Title: PH 7325 Urban Health Seminar
Instructor’s Name: John A. Steward
Division: Environmental Health
Faculty Accessibility
Course Basics
Semester: Fall
Year: 2014
Class Day/Time:
Selected Thursdays/9:30 am- 12:00 noon
Class Location:
25 Park Place CR 12
Prerequisite(s):
none
Required Course Materials
none
Instructor(s) of Record:
Steward
Office Location:
Room 860 Urban Life
Phone Number(s):
404-413-1137
Email:
jsteward@gsu.edu
Office Hours/Availability:
By appointment
Additional Information:
I.
Course Description: The Urban Health Seminar features presentations of research
topics currently being pursued by the faculty of the Georgia State University
Partnership for Urban Health Research. Research topics, methods, strengths,
limitations, findings, and implications will be presented and discussed with
learners. The sum of the seminar presentations will illustrate the interdisciplinary
nature of the field of urban health.
II.
Course Objectives / Competency / Assessment of Student Learning:
This course is designed to support students in acquiring competence in the following
areas, as indicated in the GSU School of Public Health Graduate Student Handbook (see
MPH Competencies).


Describe how social and behavioral risk factors contribute to individual and public
health outcomes. (MPH Core Competency 13)
Develop and evaluate social and behavior interventions, especially through
community participatory research in diverse communities. (MPH Core Competency
14)
Course Objectives
Describe the
Partnership for Urban
Health Research
initiative at Georgia
State University and
urban health research
priorities.
Translate urban health
concerns into research
questions.
Express critical thinking
regarding urban health
research programs,
methodology, findings,
and implications.
Explain the
interdisciplinary nature
of urban health
research.
Interpret research
findings to efforts to
improve the health and
living conditions of
people in urban areas.
Program Competency
NA
Assessment Method(s)
Written assignments (presentation
essay).
NA
Written assignments (presentation
essay).
NA
Written assignments (presentation
essay).
MPH Core Competency 13
Written assignments (presentation
essay).
MPH Core Competency 14
Written assignments (presentation
essay).
III.
Course Assignments and Requirements
Course Requirements
IV.
% of Final Grade
Summary discussions of each seminars,
including the summary paper
Participation in course and class
attendance
50
Total
100
50
Grading Policy
This course employs satisfactory/not satisfactory grading. A total course point score
of 70 or better for the course is required for a grade of satisfactory.
Seminar papers (50 points total): For each presentation, students will write an essay
(300 words or less) that briefly describes the presentation and addresses the following:
1. What are the key points of the presentation with regard to research,
outcomes, and policy issues?
2. How is the topic relevant to urban health practice, policy, and/or research?
3. What methodological considerations are relevant to you?
4. Find at least one peer-reviewed journal article published within the past 5
years related to each presented topic. Briefly summarize the article (2-3
sentences), and state how the seminar topic seminar compares to,
complements, or builds on the topic in the journal article?
5. What are the implications for your research and/or scholarship regarding
urban health?
The two essays are to be written in one Word document for each seminar. The
document should be turned in prior to the deadline, which is approximately 3 weeks
after the seminar session via Desire2Learn (D2L) dropbox.
Summary Paper: Following the final seminar, review your essays, discussions, and
related materials.
1. Write a brief (300-word or less) overall conclusion about urban health with regard to
the presented seminars.
2. What additional questions warrant further investigation for your study of urban
health (i.e., papers, possible thesis, or other work)?
3. What are the implications for your academic preparation, research, or career?
The summary and all essays are to be submitted via Desire2Learn (D2L) on or before
May 2, 11:59 pm.
V.
Attendance and Class Participation Policy
Because students are expected to be actively engaged with classmates and presenters in
this course, attendance of each class meeting is expected. Any absence may result in
deduction from the component score unless the absence is excused for cause (at the
sole discretion of the instructor). Any missed class work is expected to be completed
including essays for missed sessions. Please let the instructor know in advance of any
planned absences or other interfering events.
Special note about communicable illness: Please do not attend class if you are ill and/or
experiencing symptoms of flu-like illness.
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/index.htm
VI.
Late Assignments and Make-up Examination Policy
Ten percent of the component grade will be deducted for an assignment submitted
after the time/date due. After the next scheduled seminar, papers will only be accepted
with written permission from the instructor. Additional deductions may be applied to
late papers submitted after the next seminar. This applies to all essay papers.
VII.
Syllabus Deviation Policy
The course syllabus provides a general plan for the course; deviations may be necessary.
VIII.
Student Code of Conduct and Policy on Academic Honesty
All students at this University are expected to engage in academic pursuits on their won
with complete honesty and integrity. Any student found guilty of dishonesty in any phase of
academic work will be subject to disciplinary action. The complete Academic Honesty policy
is located in the GSU Graduate Catalog, Section 1350: http://enrollment.gsu.edu/catalogs/.
Students and faculty are expected to review and conform to the university’s policy on
academic honesty. Information on the Student Code of Conduct and related policies and
procedures are available at: http://codeofconduct.gsu.edu/.
Special attention should be paid to the sections on plagiarism and multiple submissions:
Plagiarism. Plagiarism is defined as, “appropriating and putting forth as one’s own
the ideas, language, or designs of another” (The Living Webster, 1975) – and it is
strictly forbidden. Written and oral presentations must be a student’s own work.
Students plagiarizing or cheating in any form will face disciplinary action which could
result in an “F” in this course and suspension or expulsion from the University.
Copying from written materials, presentations, websites, etc. without source
acknowledgement and referencing is plagiarism. Read it, appreciate it, learn from it,
and make sure you source it – and then reflect it with your own thoughts and words!
If you are uncertain about what constitutes plagiarism, please contact the instructor.
Multiple Submissions. It is a violation of academic honesty to submit substantial
portions of the same work for credit more than once without the explicit consent of
the faculty member(s) to whom the material is submitted for additional credit. In
cases in which there is a natural development of research or knowledge in a
sequence of courses, use of prior work may be desirable, even required; however,
the student is responsible for indicating in writing, as a part of such use, that the
current work submitted for credit is cumulative in nature.
IX.
Disability Accommodations Policy
Students who wish to request accommodation for a disability may do so by registering with
the GSU Office of Disability Services. Students may only be accommodated upon issuance
by the Office of Disability Services of a signed Accommodation Plan and are responsible for
providing a copy of that plan to instructors of all classes in which an accommodation is
sought. The Office of Disability Services is located in the GSU Student Center, Suite 230 and
online here: http://disability.gsu.edu/.
X.
Course Evaluations Statement
Your constructive assessment of this course plays an indispensable role in shaping
education at Georgia State. Upon completing this course, please take time to fill out the
online course evaluation.
XI.
Career Services
The School of Public Health provides career services & student leadership opportunities
(student clubs & organizations) to all current SPH students and alumni. SPH Career Services
can help students with resume writing, interviewing, job searching, internship development,
and professional networking. Students are invited to attend our career events and
workshops, and individualized career counseling appointments can be arranged. To see
what career panels, career fairs, and events are available this semester, please visit:
http://publichealth.gsu.edu/students/career-resources/. The SPH Career Services office is
co-located with the Office of Academic Assistance in room 640 at One Park Place.
XII.
Tentative course schedule, topics, and readings
PH 7325 Urban Health Graduate Seminar Fall 2014
Schedule of Presentations
September 4
Introduction to the seminar- John Steward
Urban Health Index- Scott Weaver (Public Health)
What Is Urban Health? Panel discussion Holley Wilkin (Communication) and other PUHR faculty
October 2
SafeCare: Building and Scaling-Up an Evidence-Based Child Maltreatment Program- John
Lutzker (Public Health, Center for Healthy Development)
Human Trafficking as an Urban Health Issue- Jonathan Todres (Law)
November 6
Physical Activity Intervention for Under-served Older Adults- Rebecca Ellis (Kinesiology and
Health)
Food Safety Beliefs and Knowledge among Urban Atlanta Residents- Lisa Casanova (Public
Health)
December 4
Chronic Disease Self-Management Program Utilization among Urban African Americans- Chivon
Mingo (Gerontology)
Alcohol Use among Youth in Kampala, Uganda- Monica Swahn (Public Health)
All seminar sessions are held from 9:30 am to 12:00 noon in the 25 Park Place Building,
(formerly Sun Trust Annex, lower level, Conference Room 12 (enter from Edgewood Avenue).
The first presentation begins at 9:45, and the second begins at 11:00.