[PRINCIPLES OF PUBLIC HEALTH 832:201:06
RUTGERS UNIVERSITY
BLOUSTEIN SCHOOL OF PLANNING AND PUBLIC POLICY]
Course Number:
Location:
Day and Time:
Instructor:
Email:
Office hours:
Spring Semester 2015
10:832:201:06
Frelinghuysen Hall (FH), Room A5, College Avenue Campus
Wednesday 9:50 AM – 12:50 PM
Ashley Conway
aconway@rutgers.edu
By appointment
Note: The syllabus will likely be revised during the semester. All changes will be posted in Sakai.
Overview:
This course provides an introduction to the field of public health and examines the impact of public health at the community level and
globally. Students are introduced to various areas of study within public health to develop an understanding of basic public health
principles through readings, video viewings, case studies, and classroom participation.
Expectations:
This course requires that you:
 Participate in classroom discussions and activities
 Complete and submit 4 assignments
 Take 2 exams
SAS Learning Objectives:



Students will understand the bases and development of human and societal endeavors across time and place.
Students will be able to apply concepts about human and social behavior to particular questions or situations.
Students will be able to formulate, evaluate, and communicate conclusions and inferences from quantitative data.
Required Text:
McKenzie, J. & Pinger, R. (2015). An introduction to community health (8th ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC.
Older editions are acceptable.
Evaluation:
Grading:
Assignments (4)
Exam I
Exam II
Total
Grading Scale (%):
40%
30%
30%
400 points
300 points
300 points
1000 points
A
B+
B
C+
C
D
F
90 – 100
85 – 89
80 – 84
75 – 79
70 – 74
60 – 69
<59
Extra credit: There are no extra credit assignments.
1
[PRINCIPLES OF PUBLIC HEALTH 832:201:06
RUTGERS UNIVERSITY
BLOUSTEIN SCHOOL OF PLANNING AND PUBLIC POLICY]
Spring Semester 2015
Weekly Assignments
Four assignments (total of 400 points) will be completed and submitted. The assignments will vary depending on the course topic.
Points have no “absolute meaning,” and in the end, I will use my judgment in translating points into grades for the course. Implicitly,
that means that grades are “curved” in the sense that they are comparative. The comparison is both to other students taking the class
this semester and with those who took the class in the past.
Late weekly assignment submissions:
 25% point deduction for late submissions up to one week after due date.
 50% point deduction for late submissions over one week after due date.
Exam 1 & 2:
Exam 1 and Exam 2 have a point value of 300 points each. Exams consist of true/false, multiple choice, matching, short answer, and
essay questions. Makeup exams will be considered on a case-by-case basis and verifiable documentation will be required. Unexcused
makeup exams will be assessed a 25% penalty.
Classroom Participation:
Be Prepared - Arrive for class prepared to discuss all material assigned the previous week.
Contribute to the Learning Environment - You are expected to contribute to creating an environment that fosters respect and civility
by adherence to class norms for discussion, debate, and all interpersonal interaction.
Use of Personal Electronic Devices – The use of personal electronic devices should not detract from the learning environment;
“electronic etiquette” should be practiced. Giving your full attention to the process of learning is expected during class. Video or
audio taping during class without the permission of the instructor is prohibited.
Course Communications - You are responsible for accessing course materials on Sakai and submitting assignments as instructed.
Students must maintain a functioning Rutgers e-mail address and should check it frequently for class announcements or updates.
Instructor Communications - You should inform me of emergencies or problems that may affect your attendance or performance in
the course. The sooner I am informed, the easier it will be to make accommodations so that you do not fall behind.
Class Cancellation - Cancellation messages will be posted on the course site in Sakai. In case of severe weather or a campus
emergency check this site: http://nb.rutgers.edu/about-us/new-brunswick-campus-operating-status or call 732-445-INFO. If class is
cancelled but Internet is functional, the cancelled class will be held online. If class is cancelled and Internet is not functional,
assignments will be followed according to the syllabus.
Honor Code and Academic Integrity:
Academic integrity requires that all academic work be wholly the product of an identified individual or individuals. Joint efforts are
legitimate only when the assistance of others is explicitly acknowledged and permitted by the assignment. Ethical conduct is the
obligation of every member of the University community, and breaches of academic integrity constitute serious offenses. Any such
issues will be submitted to the Dean of the Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, as appropriate. Students must assume
responsibility for maintaining honesty in all work submitted for credit and in any other work designated by the instructor of the course.
Students are also expected to report incidents of academic dishonesty to the instructor or dean of the instructional unit.
Review the Rutgers’ academic integrity statement at this link:
http://ctaar.rutgers.edu/integrity/policy.html
2
[PRINCIPLES OF PUBLIC HEALTH 832:201:06
RUTGERS UNIVERSITY
BLOUSTEIN SCHOOL OF PLANNING AND PUBLIC POLICY]
Spring Semester 2015
Principles of Public Health 201:06 Schedule
Week
Week 1
1/21
Week 2
1/28
Understand the course structure, student responsibilities, and
instructor expectations.
Learning Outcomes*
Topics
Orientation to the course & health information literacy
Chapters 1 & 2
Assess the source and quality of health information and data,
as related to individual and community health.
Guest lecturer
Recognize the importance of key events and milestones in the
history and development of the field of public health.
Define public health and community health roles and
responsibilities.
Public Health Concepts and History
Chapter 3 & 4
Assignment #1 – due 2/6
Describe foundational public health concepts.
Discuss major local, national, and global health challenges.
Week 3
2/4
Describe risk factors and modes of transmission for infectious
and chronic diseases and how these diseases affect both
personal and population health.
Appreciate multiple determinants of health.
Week 4
2/11
Prevention and Control of Communicable Diseases

Describe how the methods of epidemiology and surveillance
are used to safeguard the population’s health.
Epidemiology: Basic Principles
Assignment #2 – due 2/20
Demonstrate an understanding of basic calculations such as
attack rates and interpret public health data.
Week 5
2/18
Identify scientific data, including tools of informatics, and
other information for assessing the well-being of a community.
List the leading causes of mortality, morbidity, and health
disparities among local regional, and global populations.
Epidemiology: Surveillance and Outbreaks
Chapter 16

Explain the influence that science and technology have on
individual and population health.
Week 6
2/25
Describe the leading causes of injury, illness, and death on-thejob
Outline approaches for assessing and controlling workplace
hazards and reducing risk
Occupational Safety and Health
Chapter 5 & 6
Assignment #3 – due 3/6
Recognize the impact of policies, laws, and legislation on both
individual and population health.
Identify stakeholders who influence health programs and
interventions.
Explain the relationship between occupational and
environmental health.
Week 7
3/4
2/20
Assess the values and perspectives of diverse individuals,
communities and cultures and their influence on health
behaviors, choices and practices
Appreciate the role of community collaborations in promoting
population health.
Communities as Public Health Partners and Mental Health
Chapters 7, 8 & 9
Guest lecturer
Discuss the role of community engagement in promoting
population health and social justice.
3
[PRINCIPLES OF PUBLIC HEALTH 832:201:06
RUTGERS UNIVERSITY
BLOUSTEIN SCHOOL OF PLANNING AND PUBLIC POLICY]
Week 8
3/11
Discuss the role of gender, race, ethnicity, and other evolving
demographics in affecting population health.
Spring Semester 2015
Exam I
Public Health Across the Age Continuum
Chapters 2 & 13
Spring Break – Saturday, March 14 – Sunday, March 22
Week 9
3/25
Public Health Organizations and Health Care Delivery in the United States
Chapter 14
Assignment #4 – due 4/3
Describe the structure and function of governmental public
health organizations.
Explain how the organizational structure, financing, and
delivery of public health services impact population health.

Compare and critique the U.S. health care delivery system to
systems in other countries.
Week 10
4/1
Explain how the organizational structure, financing, and
delivery of personal health care and public health services
impact population health.
Describe the role of public health in environmental quality.
The Environment: Housing, Food, Waste, Water, and Air
Outline approaches for assessing and controlling
environmental hazards.
Evaluate the role of community engagement in promoting
environmental health.
Outline approaches for assessing and controlling
environmental hazards that affect community health.
Week 11
4/8
Discuss the interconnectedness among physical, social, and
environmental aspects of community health.
Understand how climate change impacts the public health and
analyze the denial of climate change.
The Environment: Climate Change Implications for Public Health
Analyze alternative viewpoints regarding a health topic.
Discuss major local, national, and global health challenges.
Week 12
4/15
Week 13
4/22
Participate in the political process to improve health, social
justice, and equity.
Identify types of disasters and examine how risk is perceived.
Disasters and Crisis: Public Health Preparedness, Response, and Recovery
Describe roles and responsibilities in preparing for and
responding to a disaster.

Outline
individual
and
community
preparedness
considerations regarding health emergencies and public
disasters.
Analyze ethical concerns and conflicts of interest that arise in
the field of public health.
Public Health Ethics and Working in Global Public Health Organizations
Analyze the interconnectedness among the physical, social,
and environmental aspects of global public health.
Value the relationship between human rights and health.
Week 14
4/29
Exam II
*Association of Schools of Public Health – Undergraduate Public Health Learning Outcomes Model:
4
http://www.aspph.org/educate/models/undergraduate-learning-outcomes/