SEXUAL HEALTH ADVOCACY SPRING 2014
10-832-301
Day and Time: Thursday, 10:55 a.m.
– 1:55 p.m.
Location: Ruth Adams Building, Room 209B, Douglass Campus
Instructor: Francesca M. Maresca, Ph.D., M.A.
Director, Health Outreach, Promotion and Education
Credits:
Rutgers Health Services
3 credits
Office Location/Contact Information:
RHS Health Outreach, Promotion and Education (H.O.P.E.)
8 Lafayette Street
(848) 932
– 1965
E-mail: fmaresca@echo.rutgers.edu
Office hours by appointment only: Monday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Tuesday, 11:00 a.m.
– 4:00 p.m., and Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
SHA Course Assistant: Aditi Bothra
E-mail: a.bothra92@gmail.com
SHA Scheduler: Jessica Golden
E-mail: jbgolden@eden.rutgers.edu
There is not an assigned text for this course. Assigned readings are posted on the course SAKAI site in the Resource Section. Readings not available in electronic format will be distributed in class.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
At the end of this course students will be able to:
1. Define and discuss community health, determinants of sexual health, and health advocacy.
2. Identify socio-cultural and political barriers, as well as individual barriers, to health, with a focus on sexual health, and strategies to confront those barriers.
3. Demonstrate critical thinking skills related to community and sexual health.
4. Demonstrate skills of intervention to provide other students with information, options, and resources regarding community and sexual health.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
CLASS ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION
Students in the class are crucial to shaping the course - identifying topics, engaging in critical discussion, researching information and perspectives, and designing strategies for action. Therefore, it is critical that each student attends and participates in every class.

Student responsibilities include:

Prompt attendance and completion of assigned readings

Active participation in class sessions

Communication in timely manner regarding any concerns/difficulties related to the course

Frequent and regular visits to the course SAKAI site at http://sakai.rutgers.edu
.
Instructor responsibilities include:

Respect for students as co-learners in course;

Adapting the course framework to needs, interests and concerns of students;

Availability by appointment for meetings with students; availability by phone and email.

Maintaining the SAKAI course website to accurately reflect the requirements of the course
SAKAI
Sexual Health Advocacy utilizes SAKAI to manage the course, its assignments, requirements, announcements, SHA workshops/outreach, and readings. All students are REQUIRED to log into SAKAI in order to access these functions from the beginning of the course until the end. Important updates, announcements and other useful information will be posted to the SAKAI site on a regular basis. To access the SAKAI site, go to http://sakai.rutgers.edu
. Your Rutgers net i.d. and password are required to log onto the site.
ATTENDANCE & PARTICIPATION
Students are expected to arrive promptly and attend every class. Classes missed without a valid excuse will result in 5 points deducted from the Attendance portion of your grade. Late arrivals will also affect the Attendance portion of the grade.
NOTE: New University policy & procedure for absences
Students are expected to attend all classes; if you expect to miss one or two classes, please use the University Absence Reporting Website https://sims.rutgers.edu/ssra/ to indicate the date and reason for your absence. An email is automatically sent to the course instructor. Students who miss class and do not utilize the Absence Reporting
Website will lose points in the attendance portion of their grade.
If you miss class, contact Aditi Bothra, a.bothra92@gmail.com
, to arrange pick up of any handouts, class notes and updates promptly. Assignments due on the date of a missed class should be submitted through the SAKAI site on the date due. Journals can be submitted as e-mail attachments by 10:30 a.m. on the day of class.
Each student is encouraged to participate fully in all class discussions, especially in discussions related to the weekly reading. A lack of class participation will negatively impact your grade.
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ASSIGNMENTS
All assignments must be submitted using the SAKAI Assignment feature no later than 10:30 a.m. on the date due.
All assignments must be in a Word document.
Assignments submitted late will lose 5 points for each day late. All written work must be spell-checked and edited for correct grammar and syntax. Late assignments will receive a 5-point per day late reduction in points. There will be no exceptions. No hard copy, or e-mailed, assignments, except for the weekly journal, will be accepted, no exceptions.
JOURNALS: Each student will write a confidential weekly journal to record their reactions to the week's assigned readings, class discussion, and interactions with other students that impact their thinking related to community, health, and sexuality. The journal provides an opportunity to discuss insights about your values and your own learning. You may be asked to comment upon specific assigned readings or to respond to a specific question in your journal. The focus of the journal is on depth of thought, ability to look at self, critical discussion, and challenging one's own viewpoints.
The journal, which will be read only by Francesca, should be dated for week that it is due, word-processed, and double-spaced.
Journal entries are due for every class session, beginning January 30, 2014, and will be returned as soon as possible. Journals will be collected at the beginning of every class. Journals may also be submitted
BEFORE class via e-mail. Late journals WILL NOT be accepted.
GUEST BLOG ON H.O.P.E. WEBSITE
H.O.P.E. maintains a blog on Tumblr. Everyone is Sexual Health Advocacy will be responsible for creating a blog entry on a topic that is covered in class. Students will select a topic and write a blog entry related to that topic. The blog can be your reactions, thoughts, potential advocacy action steps, or your opinion, etc. The blog will be due once per week starting on February 6, 2014 . Each week, a student blog will be added to the RHS-HOPE blog. The final blog will be due on April 24, 2014 . Each blog entry should be 1-2 pages in length, double-spaced, typed, 12-point font. Blogs must be spell-checked. Please note that blogs may be edited for grammar, syntax, and spelling before posting.
OBSERVATION, EVALUATION OF, PLANNING AND PARTICIPATION IN SHA
PROGRAMS: During your training you will be required to attend, evaluate, assist, and co-facilitate a total of three sexual health programs. A written summary of your experiences, observations and analysis are due on April 24, 2014.
A brief outline of questions to consider and guidelines are posted in the Resource Section of SAKAI
(SHA Program Evaluation Guidelines). The SHA Schedule will be updated on a frequent basis. It is your responsibility to check the schedule for dates, times and locations of sexual health programs. In addition, a contact sheet of SHAs-in-Training and Veteran
SHAs will be posted in the Resource section of SAKAI. Your summary should be a minimum of three pages, typed, 1 inch margins, 12 point font or smaller. Late papers will have points deducted. Points will also be deducted for poor spelling, grammar, and
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syntax. Following is a brief overview of the sequence of programs you each must complete. Please note that this is a sequential process.

The first program you attend, you will simply observe the veteran SHAs. It is your responsibility to confirm the program is actually taking place with the Sexual Health
Advocates presenting the program. You are certainly encouraged to attend more programs, to learn from veteran SHAs!

The second program you attend, you will assist the veteran SHAs in gathering all the necessary materials for the planned workshop activities and having them ready for the program in a prompt manner.

You will be responsible for scheduling, planning, preparing & co-facilitating the third and final program with a Veteran SHA.
Ideas for scheduling a program include approaching your Resident Assistance, student organizations, and or fraternities/sororities to obtain a program venue and audience (i.e., your residence hall floor). The program must be added to the schedule so Veteran SHAs can sign up to co-facilitate with you. In order to add your programs to the schedule please contact the SHA Scheduler, Jessica Golden at jbgolden@eden.rutgers.edu
. The third and final program must take place no later than April 23, 2014
POP QUIZZES: two pop quizzes will be given during the semester. They will be unannounced!
TWITTER & CURRENT EVENTS
Sexual health & sexuality-related issues are in the news every day. Each student is responsible for posting a link to a sexual health/sexuality issue throughout the semester utilizing Twitter. A total of 4 posts is required. Please note, each student must:

Have a Twitter account. Existing accounts may be used;

Follow RHSHOPE on Twitter;

Include #RHSHOPE or @RHSHOPE in each post to enable everyone to follow the posts;

Post to Twitter a minimum of 4 times throughout the semester; and,

Submit a hard copy of the posting the week you post with your Twitter name, full name and date posted. A print-out of the first page is fine.
Monthly magazine articles cannot be submitted. No more than one article per week can be posted (i.e., cannot post all links in the last week). All postings must be completed by
April 24, 2014.
FINAL EXAM: The Final Exam will take place during the Final Exam Period, Date and time TBA.
It will cover anatomy, physiology, STIs, conception, and contraception and will worth 100 points .
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GRADING
Everyone has the opportunity to build his/her grade. Each assignment has a designated number of points. The number of points awarded for each assignment depends upon whether or not the requirements of the assignment are met. Points will be deducted for poor spelling, grammar and syntax on all written work. Points will be deducted for late assignments and no late journals will be accepted.
POINT BREAKDOWN:
Attendance
Participation
50
75
Journal
Pop Quiz 1
75
25
Pop Quiz 2
SHA Programs
Final Exam
Total
25
75
Reflection Paper 75
Twitter & Current Events 50
Blog 50
100
600 points
Your grades are assigned following the Grading Philosophy of the Edward J.
Bloustein School of Planning & Public Policy. Grades are not an opportunity for negotiation. You will be assigned the grade you earn.
A Excellent, shows initiative, synthesizes and integrates assigned material with external sources and own thinking; 92-100%
B+ Very good work, innovative thinking or excellent integration of work of others, 88-
91%
B Exceeds minimum requirements, either shows own thinking or synthesizes and integrates assigned material with external sources; 81 - 87%
C+ Good understanding of assigned material, but no effort to integrate own thinking or that of others; 78 - 80%
C Average work that meets the minimum requirements but does not show consistent understanding of material, poor quality; 70-77%
D Meets minimum requirements but does not show understanding of material, poor quality; 60-69%
F Unacceptable, does not meet minimum requirements; 0-59%

Students requiring accommodation due to a disability (learning, physical, emotional) must present proper documentation at the beginning of the semester.
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
In order to facilitate programs, engage in RHS-HOPE sponsored programs, and be considered a Peer Sexual Health Advocate, students must complete
Sexual Health Advocacy I with a grade of B or better.

Students must also be in good academic and judicial standing within
Rutgers University.

Students completing the course are expected to maintain a relationship with the RHS-HOPE through advocacy and programming for a minimum of one semester (excluding summer) after completing the course.

Sexual Health Advocates will be required to attend a minimum of one continuing education opportunity per semester after the course is complete.

Sexual Health Advocates will be required to pass a short knowledge assessment each year in order to continue as Certified Sexual Health
Advocates.

Cell-phones, pagers, PDAs, etc. must be turned off or set to vibrate during class. Texting and answering the phone while in class will result in points deducted from the Participation grade and will not be tolerated. Laptops are not permitted in class unless needed for an accommodation.

Pay attention to the Grading Philosophy above to which I strictly adhere.
Academic misconduct includes cheating, plagiarism, failure to cite sources, fabrication and falsification, stealing ideas, and deliberate slanting of research designs to achieve a preconceived result. We talk about misconduct and ethical behavior in classes and expectations are set forth in student handbooks and catalogues. We are not repeating that material here.
Note, however, that penalties for misconduct can range from failing an assignment/exam or dismissal from the university.
The Bloustein School is appending this memorandum to your course syllabus because we recently have detected obvious cases of plagiarism. We have found far fewer cases of other forms of academic misconduct, but we find several every year. It is imperative that you understand that unethical academic conduct is intolerable, and it is completely preventable.
Academic misconduct almost always happens for two reasons. One is ignorance of academic rules and practices. For example, in virtually every recent plagiarism case in the School, material has been taken from an Internet site and placed in text without appropriate note or attribution. You must learn the proper rules for attribution. If you are not sure, ask your instructor! If you do not know the rules that govern the use of data sets, attribution, analysis and reporting of these sets, the faculty will help you. There is no such thing as a stupid question regarding this subject.
Pressure is the second common reason for academic misconduct. Students, faculty, and every one of us are subject to deadline, financial, self-worth, peer, and other pressures. If you are potentially allowing pressure to drive you to misconduct, please step back and resist that urge.
You can cope with pressure in a positive way by reaching out to friends, counselors, and faculty members. Within the Bloustein School community, you will find understanding people and positive direction. The Bloustein School plays an important role in the planning and public policy agenda. Our work and our students must be above reproach.
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Helpful University Resources
At some point in the semester, you may require assistance for a variety of issues.
Following is a brief list of helpful University resources.
Rutgers Health Services http://health.rutgers.edu

Medical http://rhsmedical.rutgers.edu

Counseling, Alcohol & Other Drug Assistance Program & Psychiatric Services
(CAPS) http://rhscaps.rutgers.edu

Pharmacy http://rhspharmacy.rutgers.edu

Health Outreach, Promotion & Education (H.O.P.E.) http://rhshope.rutgers.edu
Learning Centers http://lrc.rutgers.edu/
Writing Centers http://wp.rutgers.edu/tutoring/writingcenters
Math & Science Learning Centers http://mslc.rutgers.edu/
Office of Violence Prevention & Victim Assistance http://sexualassault.rutgers.edu/
Center for Social Justice & LGBTQ Communities http://socialjustice.rutgers.edu/
Office of Disabilities Services https://ods.rutgers.edu
Public Safety

RUPD http://publicsafety.rutgers.edu/rupd/

Department of Transportation Services http://rudots.rutgers.edu/
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SEXUAL HEALTH ADVOCACY SPRING 2013
COURSE SYLLABUS
Required readings are to be completed for the class date listed.
Reading Week/Date Topic
Week 1
January 23
Welcome, introductions, course overview, ground rules, expectations
Week 2
January 30
Week 3
February 6
Empowerment, oppression, privilege, social justice
Guest Lecturer: Liz
Amaya-Fernandez
Sexual Health at
Rutgers
Anatomy &
Physiology
Sexual Response
Cycle
Masturbation Week 4
February
13
Week 5
February
20
Week 6
February
27
Menstrual Cycle,
Conception,
Contraception
Part 1: Hormonal
Conception,
Contraception
Part 2: Barrier
Week 7
March 6
Sexually Transmitted
Infections
RDSJ: The Complexity of Identity, pp 9-
14
Cycle of Socialization, pp 15-21
Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack, P.
McIntosh
It’s Perfectly Normal – select chapters
Exploring the Dimensions of Human
Sexuality: female anatomy, pp112-121; male anatomy, 154-168
Sexual Response Cycle
Masturbation: It’s Normal
If Men Could Menstruate,
Menstruation, Contraceptive Use, AGI,
2006
A Brief History of Emergency Hormonal
Contraception, PPFA, 6/2004
Contraception Overview, Consumer
Reports, 2/05
STI Brochure
Tracking the Hidden Epidemic, CDC,
Condoms & Sexually Transmitted
Infections, NEJM, 6/22/06
Condom Reliability, Consumer Reports,
2/05
Week 8
March 13
Sexual Assault
Laura Luciano & Lisa
Smith, Office of
Violence Prevention
& Victim Assistance
TBA
Assignment
Journal
Journal
Blog
Journal
Blog
Journal
Blog
Journal
Blog
Journal
Blog
Journal
Blog
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Week/Date Topic Reading
March 20 SPRING BREAK! ENJOY!
Week 9
March 27
HIV/AIDS CDC Fact Sheets
Kaiser Foundation HIV/AIDS Fact
Sheets (HIV/AIDS in US, Latinos,
Women, Black Americans)
HIV Counseling & Testing brochure
Week 10
April 3
Facilitation, SHA Vet
Q& A, Workshop &
Outreach Logistics
HIV Test Counseling
Assignment
Journal
Blog
Journal
Blog
Week 11
April 10
Week 12
April 17
Week 13
April 24
Week 14
May 1
May XX,
2014
Gender, Sexual
Orientation,
Heterosexism &
Homophobia
Sexuality &
Disability: Physical,
Developmental &
Emotional
Guest Speakers:
Alice Mangan & Pam
Lubbers, CAPS
Relationships &
Communication/Body
Image
X, L. Gould, Ms. Magazine, 5/80
The Gender Trap, Ms. Magazine, 11/94
Road to Laramie, NYT, 10/14/98,
Homophobia often Found in Schools,
NYT, 10/14/98
TBA
The Party! Alcohol &
Other Drugs + Sex
Final Exam
As of January 16, 2014
Journal
Blog
Journal
Blog
Sexual Responsibility, Dating Bill of
Rights, & I ACCEPT
Guidelines for Fostering Intimate
Communication Effective Communication
& Healthy Relationships Long Distance
Relationships
Plastic Surgery Below the Belt,
Body Image & Advertising, Beauty &
Body Image in the Media
8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., C/D Classroom,
Room 109
Journal
Blog
Twitter
Deadline
Program
Summary
Papers
Journal –
Letter to
Myself
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