HEHP – 225 Contemporary Health
Ocean County College
School of Social Science and Human Services
Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint.
Mark Twain
Professor
Kathleen Malachowski, MEd
Office Location: Bartlett Hall #213
Mailbox Location: Bartlett Hall #210
Office Phone: 732.255.0400 x-2117
E-mail: kmalachowski@ocean.edu or
kathleen_malachowski@portal.ocean.edu
Office Hours
Monday & Thursday: 10:00 – 10:50 a.m.
Wednesday: 8:30 – 9:20 a.m. & 12:30 – 2:10pm
By appointment
To arrange a meeting with me, in addition to the regularly scheduled office
hours, please contact me directly at the email or phone number noted above
or contact the School of Social Science and Human Service at: 732-255-0400
x2221
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Course Description
Students will develop skills needed to meet challenges to their health and optimize their
physical and psychological wellbeing. Topics to be examined include consumer
education, fitness, family living, nutrition, mental health, dependency, substance abuse,
and infectious and chronic diseases. The focus of the course will be on the importance of
critical thinking emphasizing self-empowerment, prevention and understanding the
health impact on human diversity.
Required Texts
Access to Health(ATH), 12th Edition, Donatelle, Pearson Benjamin Cummings 2012.
ISBN 10: 0-321-69908-4 or ISBN 13: 978-0-321-69908-4
Personal Wellness Assessment(PWA), Pearson Custom Publishing, 2011.
ISBN-13: 978-1-256-12644-7 or ISBN-10: 1-256-12644-6
Course Objectives/Student Outcomes
1. Discuss health in terms of its dimensions and historical, current, and future
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perspectives.
Examine your present health behaviors and discuss the importance of
developing healthy habits.
Identify and implement the techniques necessary to change an unhealthy
behavior.
Evaluate the role of gender in disparities in health status, research and risk.
Examine the latest research and strategies needed to prevent disease and
promote wellness.
Analyze and discuss the unique health behaviors and how they contribute to
morbidity and mortality rates in the U.S.
Explain the importance of a global perspective on health and the health
challenges faced by people of various racial, cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
Evaluate sources of health information, particularly the Internet, to determine
reliability.
Examine your role in protecting global health through the adoption of a green
lifestyle.
General Education Goals Addressed in the Course
#3 – To develop the ability to solve problems by collecting, organizing and
evaluating information. Students collect, organize and evaluate laboratory data
on themselves. For example, blood pressure and body fat composition.
Once the information is collected, organized and evaluated the student
puts a plan together on how to manage their blood pressure and to
lower their body fat percentage.
#8 – To develop an understanding and appreciation of diversity among
cultures, including respect for various ways of viewing the world. We
discuss the differences between ethnic groups pertaining to health risks.
For example, African Americans are more prone to strokes than Caucasians.
#9 – To develop global perspective on problems and issues that humankind
faces and to explore solutions which are morally, socially, economically,
politically and ecologically sound. Discussions of the morality and ethics
of the Health Care System. Having a good rapport with your nurse or physician
can have a positive effect on a patients recovery. We will discuss how your
health can be effected by ecological and environmental changes.
#10 -To develop an understanding of how health and well being is necessary to
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confront the challenges facing individuals, families and communities. All
issues of health and well-being are directed to the student in a manner
that encourages them to apply the information to themselves, their
present and future families as well as the community.
Assessment of Outcomes
This course will implement several tools to access your progress and accomplishments
toward the outcomes listed above. These tools include:
Chapter Exams: 50% of Final Grade
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There will be one exam for every unit. There are 5 units. Each exam will be worth 10
points.
Exams will be comprised of 80 - 100 multiple choice questions.
You will be given a class period to complete the exam.
Review for Exam Sheets: 20% of Final Grade
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There will be one review sheet for each of the five exams.
Each exam review sheet will be worth Zero or 4 points. Please pay close attention to
the information stated on each of the 5 review sheets.
The exam review sheets are located in the Personal Wellness Assessment book in
Appendix B and will also be posted on Ocean Cruiser.
Practice Quizzes: 9% of Final Grade
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Each of the 18 chapters has multiple choice practice quizzes on your textbook
website www.aw-bc.com/donatelle.
 Each of the 18 multiple choice practice quizzes with a score of 80 or better will be
worth ½ point.
Current Health News(CHN) Writing Assignments: 15% of the Final Grade
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One of the goals in this course is for you to connect the health topics we cover in class
to the health issues occurring in every day life or the lives of others you know.
Each CHN writing assignment is worth 3 points.
Students will be required to submit one CHN writing assignment per unit. Each
writing assignment needs to be double spaced and a minimum of 240 words.
See the CHN Guidelines on a separate page posted to cruiser.
If you present your one page CHN to the class, you may add 1 point toward the CHN or
add the point to your extra credit.
Writing assignments cannot be made up and will not be accepted late.
Behavior Change Contract: 3% of the Final Grade
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A complete behavior change contract is worth 3 points. The form you will
turn in is found in two locations. It is a tear out card in front of your textbook
or in your Personal Wellness Assessment book on page 81.
Orientation Quiz: 3% of the Final Grade
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You will be quizzed on this Professor Syllabus, Course Schedule, Current
Health News Guidelines and Extra Credit page. These can all be found on
Ocean Cruiser.
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Extra Credit: A maximum of 10 extra points towards your final grade
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The Personal Wellness Assessment (PWA) textbook self assessments – see
separate page with required pages for each unit. Each of the 5 unit’s set of
pages will be worth 1 extra credit point. See page titled Extra Credit on Ocean
Cruiser. A total of 5 extra credit points can be earned. You must total all
scores of the self assessments and answer any questions to obtain the extra
credit point.
Workout card (page 113 & 114) – 24 workouts that include a minimum of 11
weight training exercises and 30 minutes of aerobic activity. The entire card
on one side and 7 workout columns on the second side equal 24 workouts.
Twenty four workouts are worth 2 extra credit points. There will be no partial
credit.
Body fat and blood pressure lab page 247 in your PWA book. The page must
be completed in its entirety for 2 extra credit points. There will be no partial
credit.
Health seminars attendance and one page summary of what you learned from
attending is worth 2 extra credit points.
Present your CHN to the class for 1 extra credit point.
Class Participation & Attendance
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Zero to three additional points on top of your final average, not to exceed a total of 10
points
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3 Points
2 or fewer absences
Punctuality
Participation in class discussions
No electronic device usage
1 Point
o 4 or fewer absences
o Punctuality
o No electronic device usage
2 Points
o 3 or fewer absences
o Punctuality
o No electronic device usage
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Zero Points
More than 4 absences
Consistently coming to class late
Usage of electronic devices
Talking to others during lectures
Grading Policy
The final grade in the course will be the cumulative grade based on the following letter
grades or their numerical equivalents for the course quizzes, exams, & assignments:
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A =
B+ =
B =
C+ =
C =
90-100%
86-89%
80-85%
76-79%
70-75%
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D = 60-69%
F = 0-59%
I = Incomplete
R = Audit
W = Withdrawal (prior to drop date)
Instructor Drop Policy
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I cannot issue a withdrawal “W” after Ocean County College’s official withdrawal
deadline.
o The deadline for the 2012 Fall Semester is Wednesday, November 7th.
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It is the student’s responsibility to drop the class and to be aware of the drop deadlines.
I will NOT drop a student from a class for failure to attend.
o An F or grade earned will be given to students who do not officially withdraw by
the withdrawal deadline.
Communicating With Me
To reach me by e-mail
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Please use kathleen_malachowski@portal.ocean.edu or kmalachowski@ocean.edu for
e-mail communication.
E-Mail Standards
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E-mails are required to be in a courteous format in order to get a response.
Below is the format I prefer:
 Start with a greeting such as:
 “Hello Professor Malachowski”
 “Dear Professor Malachowski”
 Since your e-mail will be one of many I receive please identify what class you are
in. I have a lot of students.
 “This is Mary Jones from your Contemporary Health class, Section 2.”
 “This is Rob Smith from your Contemporary Health class, on M/Th at
2pm.”
 The next part of the e-mail should explain the purpose clearly and concisely
 “I missed class and did not get my grade on the last exam. Could you let
me know what I got?”
 “I was in the hospital for the past two weeks and was unable to attend
class. I would like to discuss this with you. Could you please call me at ..”
 Finally, your closing
 “Thank you, Joe Flynn”
 “Sincerely, Robin Hood”
I will not reply to emails that look like text messages or do not follow the format
described above!!! Why?
1. A college class is a professional forum. We should address each other with the
respect and cordiality that is expected in any professional atmosphere.
2. Part of my role as an educator is to help you to develop skills that will allow you to
meet and exceed your career goals. Effective communication skills are essential in
your pursuit of professional success!
To reach me by telephone
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You can call and leave a message in my confidential voice-mail @ 732.255.0400 x. 2117
In your voicemail message, please state your first and last name and the course you are
taking with me (“This is Mary Jones from your Contemporary Health, Section 2”)
If you would like me to call you back, please state a good telephone number and time at
which I can reach you. When leaving your number, please speak slowly and clearly.
I will respond to all voicemail messages that require a return call by the 3rd school day
(at the latest) after they are received.
To see me in person
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You're invited to visit my office on the OCC Main Campus in Toms River. My office is
located in Bartlett Hall Room 213.
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My office hours are posted at the top of the syllabus as well as outside my office door.
You're welcome to stop by during those times to see me without an appointment.
 If my office hours are not convenient for you, please call to arrange an
appointment at a mutually convenient time during business hours.
Course Standards and Policies
1. Statement of Civility: In any learning environment, it is essential that participants
treat each other with respect, or the learning process collapses. Consequently,
everyone participating in this class is expected to communicate courteously and
appropriately with each other.
 Comments made in the classroom should show respect for your fellow classmates.
There may be times when a student shares personal information in class. Everyone is
expected to keep personal information confidential. Remember that everyone is entitled
to their opinion. Foul language or derogatory statements should not be part of a college
classroom. The professor has the right to ask you to leave; it is up to you to schedule an
appointment to discuss the dismissal prior to returning to the classroom.
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Cell phones should be turned off prior entering the classroom. In the case of an
emergency and you are required to be available for a phone call, the cell phone
should be on vibrate. Leave the classroom before taking the call. Text messaging,
MP3, or iPods are not allowed in class. Please do not read, write or respond to a
text message during class time – 2 points will be taken from your final grade every
time I see someone using a electronic device during class time. Chewing tobacco
use in the classroom is not allowed. Excessive lateness and disturbance of the class
may require withdrawal.
2. Late/Missed Work: A key to success in college and any other type of endeavor is time
management. All of these assessments have clear, firm deadlines. Plan accordingly!
Late work will not be accepted, and there will be no opportunity for make-ups.
Exceptions are rare and will be given only when the professor is informed in advance
regarding the reason for the late work AND when the student has established a track
record of consistent participation and meeting deadlines in the course. Please don’t
wait until an assignment is late to inform me of the reason that it’s late!
1. Missing an Exam: You MUST bring in justification for your absence (i.e., a doctor’s
note – not a copy of it, but the original). This excuse will only be accepted on the
next class period you attend class – no exceptions. Exams must be made up before
the next unit exam is given. Once the next unit exam is given, a previous exam
cannot be made up.
 If you do not speak to me or email me within one week from the exam date,
you will not be able to make the exam up and will receive a zero for that
exam.
3. Participation Policy: Effective learning is an interactive process, so students are
expected to be prepared to participate in small-group and whole-class discussions of
course material. In traditional classes, students attain maximum academic benefit
through regular class attendance and participation. Nothing else has yet been
discovered to replace in value the daily, cumulative, educational growth that results
from regular participation in class. This is especially true when ideas, concepts, points
of view, social development, poise, confidence, knowledge and success derive from the
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interaction among students and faculty. Therefore, attendance and participation are
critically important!!
Please monitor your own attendance and grades by recording your grades throughout
the term, and be advised that Wednesday November 7, 2012 is the last day to withdraw
from class. It is important to know where you stand in the course, ask if you are
unsure.
4. Academic Honesty Statement: Ocean County College is committed to a learning
environment that embraces the principles of honesty. Faculty, students, and
administrators share responsibility for maintaining this environment of academic
honesty and integrity by accepting responsibility for all of their actions—personal and
academic. Each member of our community is expected to read and understand our
Academic Honesty Statement, which can be found in the student handbook and at the
following web address:
http://www.ocean.edu/studentlife/Handbook/Academic_Information_and_Regulatio
ns.htm
Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to: plagiarism, cribbing and cheating
on exams, quizzes, class projects and/or papers. Any student aiding another student in
any form of dishonesty is considered equally accountable. If a breach in academic
honesty occurs, Academic Dishonesty Policy #5180 gives faculty authority to impose
academic sanctions which are reasonable and commensurate with the violation.
5. Plagiarism Statement: Plagiarism can be defined as "the unacknowledged use of
another's means of expression and/or work product, whether published or
unpublished, without proper credit through the use of quotation marks, citations and
other customary means of identifying sources." Essentially, this means copying the
words or ideas of another without the proper form of academic documentation.
There are two basic kinds of plagiarism: 1) deliberate plagiarism and 2) accidental
plagiarism. One may sound more acceptable than the other, but they are equally
serious academic offenses. The most common act of deliberate plagiarism involves
copying another person's work and passing it off as your own. The most common act
of accidental plagiarism involves failing to provide the proper internal documentation
for quoted, summarized and paraphrased ideas from another person, even if you list
the source in your References.
In this class, both deliberate and accidental plagiarism will be dealt with in the same
manner. The first instance of plagiarism will result in a zero (0) for that assignment
and require a student-professor conference. A second offense will result in an F for the
course and the enforcement of any other appropriate academic sanctions.
For a description of the College’s guidelines on plagiarism, please see Policy #5180 in
the Student Handbook
Campus Resources and Services
1. The Center for Academic Excellence provides a comprehensive range of services to
students with documented disabilities. The Center for Academic Excellence is
located in the library. For assistance, please visit the Center or contact one of the
Center’s staff at 732-255-0456 (TTY/TDD & Voice: NJ Relay 711).
2. Tutoring: The Writing Center, which is located on the main campus in Russell
Building Rm. 124, provides assistance with writing in all subject areas, not just in
English classes. Also located in the Russell Building (Rm. 123), you will find the
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Mathematics Tutoring Center. To find out availability of the tutors, you may contact
the Writing Center in person or by phone (732-255-0400 ext. 2262).
3. Library: The Library has special instructional sessions that will help you make full
use of their resources. Be sure to seek out the help of the Reference Librarian if you
are having difficulty finding references or getting started on a research project.
4. “Power” Strategy Seminars (a.k.a. Study Strategy Sessions) are designed to help
students get the most out of their college experience. These sessions cover topics like
time management and effective note-taking. Even the best students will benefit from
participating in these seminars. All “Power” Seminars take place in L103 unless
another location is noted for a particular session. The Seminar schedule is posted on
the OCC website (under “Campus Resources and Services”, on Ocean Cruiser, and on
a bulletin board at the entrance to L014B. For more information about these
seminars, contact the Center for Academic Excellence at 732-255-0456.
5. Computer Labs are located in the library, the Instructional Computer Center, and the
Technology Building. In order to use the computer labs, you must schedule an
appointment. Appointments are scheduled for one (1) hour at a time. You can
schedule an appointment by calling the lab at 732-255-0358 or by making an
appointment in person at the lab technician’s desk. If you do not schedule an
appointment, you must check in with the lab technician before entering the lab.
6. Information Technology Services. If you have a question about or a problem with any
computer- or technology-related issue, you may contact the IT Helpdesk by phone
(732-255-0400, ext. 2144) or by email (helpdesk@ocean.edu).
7. Counseling Services: Ocean County College offers short-term, solutions-based
counseling services to everyone in the College community free of charge. Counseling
is available to help people cope with the everyday challenges that strain our
emotional, mental and physical resources. For more information, contact
Counseling Services at 732-255-0400 (ext. 2941).
Statement of Accommodation
A wide variety of services are available to students with documented learning disabilities or
other kinds of disabilities, Please feel free to discuss your specific needs with me or with a
staff member in the Center for Academic Excellence (Phone: 732-255-0456 or TTY/TDD &
Voice: NJ Relay 711). ***Please note that it is the student’s responsibility to inform me of
specific accommodations to which (s)he is entitled at the beginning of the course.
Ask for help if you need it!
If you have difficulty in understanding any of the material or in keeping up with the class,
please let me know immediately. I am here to help you, but you must communicate your
difficulties to me and seek help as soon as the difficulties arise. Do not wait until late in
the semester to seek my assistance when it will be impossible to catch up and improve a
history of poor grades. Questions are always welcomed in class. For private help, my
office hours are listed at the top of this syllabus, or contact me via phone or email to set
up an appointment. I will not accept make-up work during the last week of the semester,
nor will I offer extra credit.
Professor’s Privilege
Individual faculty members have the discretion to make reasonable changes to information
contained in this course syllabus in order to benefit the course.
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Course Schedule
The following course outline is tentative and subject to change, depending upon the
progress of the class. See specific course schedule with dates and reading pages.
Chapter 1: Accessing Your Health
Chapter 9: Improving Your Personal Fitness
Chapter 15: Preventing Cardiovascular Disease and Chapter 15A: Minimizing Your
Risk of Diabetes
Chapter 7: Eating for a Healthier You
Chapter 8: Reaching and Maintaining a Healthy Weight and Chapter 8A: Enhancing your
Body Image
Chapter 16: Reducing Your Cancer Risk
Chapter 2: Promoting and Preserving Your Psychological Health and Chapter 2A:
Cultivating Your Spiritual Health
Chapter 3: Managing Stress and Coping with Life’s Changes and Chapter 3A: Improving
Your Sleep
Chapter 19: Preventing Violence and Abuse and Chapter 19A: Reducing Your Risk of
Unintentional Injury
Chapter 21: Preparing for Aging
Chapter 4: Building Healthy Relationships and Communicating Effectively
Chapter 6: Considering Your Reproductive Choices
Chapter 14: Protecting against Sexually Transmitted Infections and HIV/AIDS
Chapter 17: Reducing Risks and Coping with Chronic Conditions
Chapter 10: Recognizing and Avoiding Addiction
Chapter 11: Drinking Alcohol Responsibly
Chapter 12: Ending Tobacco Use
Chapter 13: Avoiding Drug Misuse and Abuse
OCC Policies
I am required to include the following statements in the syllabi for all of my classes.
All individuals should not assume that anything received, sent, or stored in this course
or in any course is private. Students’ written work, assignments, and test results may
be used anonymously for college assessment purposes. Course content, support
materials, and communications (including chats, discussions, emails, and any other
forms of communication) may be used for quality assurance purposes by authorized
college administrators.
Ocean Cruiser is the official email communication for students at OCC (firstname
underscore lastname@occ.mailcruiser.com) or (first name underscore last
name@portal.ocean.edu)
Failure to pay for this course may result in your being dropped for non-payment.
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