KNH 242: Personal Heath (Section A)
Miami University, Fall 2015
Mondays/Wednesdays: 6:00-7:20 pm
Instructor: Chia-Liang Dai
Office: PHI 128
Classroom: PHI 123
Office Hours: Mondays/Wednesdays: 4:00-6:00
E-mail: daic3@miamioh.edu
Office Phone: (513) 529-3226
Questions for me:
 You are welcome to stop in at anytime, or make an appointment by email.
 Please remember that it may take some time (24-48 hours) before your e-mail is
answered! Please remember to sign your name to any email.
Course Description:
Focusing on diverse topics and real-world issues related to personal and public health, including
topics such as mental/emotional health, healthy eating, physical fitness, relationships, reduced
risk and control of diseases, substance abuse, and strategies for health promotion. Disease
prevention and health promotion strategies will be incorporated through a range of health issues.
This course is designed to enhance understanding of factors influencing health status, and
provide essential knowledge and skills necessary to maintain, adopt, and practice a healthy
lifestyle.
Text: Acccess to Health 14th, Donatelle, R. Publisher: Pearson.
Competencies/Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:
 Describe factors influencing personal and community health
 Assess personal health in various dimensions
 Develop a more-defined self-awareness
 Understand how their choices affect themselves and others
 Identify resources that can help them make optimal health-related decisions
 Create a sense of balance on the dimension of personal life
 Develop health-related skills and knowledge to promote wellness
 Engage in critical thinking regarding health issues
Course Expectations:
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Participations:
Read before you come to class and willing to participate in class activities. Listen carefully to
your classmates, and respect their point of view. Inappropriate behavior including inappropriate
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language and gestures to other students or to the instructor, sleeping, reading non-text material,
and other behavior disrupting class procedure.
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Attendance and Absence of Students:
Every student is expected to attend every class session. The insights you bring to class are vital
to our discussions. There are NO University-recognized excused absences except for religious
observances that require absence from a class session and other required class activities.
However, students are ultimately responsible for material covered in class, regardless of whether
the student is absent or present. If a student is involved in activities that result in class absence
(such as intercollegiate athletics, band, debate, or other class activities, etc.), it is the student’s
responsibility to negotiate specific arrangements with the instructor about any absences. I
understand that LIFE HAPPENS, if there is an issue please contact me and we can discuss it
further. Please adhere to the guidelines above as stated in the MUIPM:
The maximum number of absences (excused or non-excused) for the course are four. Only tests
and assignments missed during an excused absence may be made up. All work must be made-up
within one week of time starting on the day of returning to class. Please note that a student who
completes all assignments and tests may still receive the grade of FA (failure due to absences) if
he/she exceeds the maximum allowed number of absences in this course.
 Electronic devices are turned off or silenced at start of class, & are not in hands,
on ears, etc. You should not be texting, instagramming, tweeting, tindering, etc.
while in class; this will result in dismissal from class. If a cell phone goes off
during a test, an automatic dismissal from class is instructed.
 Respect for other views is expected in all academic disciplines, and may be particularly
relevant in discussions of health issues. Should conflicts arise, students must be prepared
to present factual information and its source/s to back their views if asked to do so.
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Assignments No late assignments are accepted other than a documented illnesses or family
crises. Assignments can be turned in early, so that if you have any problems submitting it, you
have time to resolve these in order to get the assignment in before the deadline.
Grading Scale
A = 93-100
A- =90-92
B+ = 87-89
B = 83-86
B- = 80-82
C+ = 77-79
C = 73-76
C- = 70-72
D+ = 67-6
Grading: The grade for each student is based upon:
 Participation 10 points
 Family Tree: 10 points
 Journal: 15 points
 Campus/Community Events: 10 Points
 Behavior Change/Personal Health Plan: 15 points
 Health Promotion Activity: 5 points
 Exam 1: 7 points
 Exam 2: 8 points
 Mid-Term Exam: 10 points
 Final Exam: 10 points
Total: 100 points
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D = 63-66
D- = 60-62
F = 59 and below
Description of Assignments:
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Family Tree (1-2 page, single space, 12 point font): Each student will be required to turn in a
Family Tree. The students will research their family health history through their greatgrandparents or grandparents and write a reflection on how it pertains to them. This paper will be
kept confidential.
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Journal: Students will submit at least 10 journal entries that should consist of a 1-page
composition. In journals, students should reflect on the previous week’s class discussion and
share how the topic currently affects their lives. These journals may be used as a basis for your
Personal Health Plan. Journals will be kept confidential.
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Campus/Community Events (1-2 page, single space, 12 point font): Students will be expected
to attend and summarize at least two (2) campus events that relate to the topics of health.
Students should also write a paragraph of personal reflection about the events. Students may
attend artistic or cultural events, athletic contests, lectures / speeches, community / civic event,
etc.
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Behavior Change /Personal Health Plan: This project will consist of behavior change steps
that adhere to the National Institutes of Health- Theory at a glance: A guide for health promotion
practice. Within this project students will use Health Promotion Theories to review steps toward
a specific behavior change in their own life. Over the period of this course students will evaluate
a behavior of their choice that they would like to change or maintain. In addition, any supporting
materials, i.e. graphs, charts, etc. could be included in this document. *Further Instruction on
this assignment will be provided on separate handouts.
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Health Promotion Activity: Two to three people in a group introduce and lead an activity
which can help promote a dimension of wellness or personal health. It could be a fun game for
increasing physical activity, establishing trust in a group, or releasing stress etc. Each group has
3-5 minutes for this activity. Let’s brainstorm!
Resources for Assignments and learning:
 Howe Writing Center www.miamioh.edu/Howe
Weather and Other Emergency Closing Procedures:
In the rare situations when events may require changes to the normal schedule, there are multiple
ways to access this information.
Miami University website: www.MiamiOH.edu/mymiami or the regional campuses website
http://www.regionals.miamioh.edu//emergency/emergency-closing-procedure.htm. Other
notifications can be provided through Miami Emergency Text Messaging System visit
http://www.units.MiamiOH.edu/police/services-offered/emergency-text-messaging-system/ or
following your local radio and television stations. If the campus is closed, class is cancelled and I
will send an email regarding any information for next class session and assignments. If there is
further questions regarding if class is cancelled or not do not hesitate to contact me via email.
Safety is the priority.
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Academic Dishonesty:
The application of the Miami University Academic Integrity Policy, as stated in the current Miami
University Policy and Procedures Manuel, as well as on the Miami University Website. The Academic
Integrity Policy will be fully adhered to in this course. Grades and degrees earned by dishonest means
devalue those earned by all students; therefore, it is important that students are aware of the Miami
University Academic Integrity Policy. Academic dishonesty involves acts, which may subvert or
compromise the integrity of the educational policy. Penalties differ based on the circumstance in which
the student is found responsible of the accused charge. These may include but are not limited to the
following:
 Mandatory attendance
at an academic integrity workshop conducted by Miami
University. The student will be required to pay the fee for attendance.
A
letter grade of F, the numerical grade of zero, or a reduced grade for any project, paper,
quiz, or interim or final examination, or any other portion of the course.
A
letter grade of F for the entire course.
 Suspension.
In extraordinary circumstances, the recommendation for suspension may be
forwarded.
It's important to note that additional penalties may apply should the student have any prior charges of
academic dishonesty or if the case involves more than one student. For more information on procedures
and penalties, see Section 1.5.C.4 of the Miami Student Handbook. If you have questions not answered
by this site, please contact Brenda R. Quaye, Coordinator for Academic Integrity, at 513-529-2284 or
email AcademicIntegrity@MiamiOH.edu.
Accommodations:
Miami's Student Disability Services (SDS) provides a number of support services and reasonable
accommodations to qualified students with physical, medical, psychological and learning disabilities on
the Oxford campus. To qualify for services, individuals must self-disclose his/her disability to SDS,
provide documentation from a qualified professional outlining the nature of the disability for which the
student is seeking accommodations, and meet with the Director of SDS to complete the registration
process and determine a reasonable accommodation plan. For further information regarding this please
contact sds@MiamiOH.edu or by phone 513-529-1541 (voice/tty).
Assignments due dates, and Tentative Schedule:
Date
08/24
08/26
Topics
Introduction of Personal
Health
Accessing Your Health
Reading
Assignments
Chapter 1
Class Activities/Assignments Due
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Introduction, Expectation
Overview of Syllabus
Lecture
Pre-Test: Personal Health
Assessment
Discussion
Visit Office of Student
Wellness
08/31
Promoting and Preserving
Your Psychological Health
Chapter 2
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09/02
Managing Stress and Coping
with Life’s Challenges
Chapter 3
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09/07
09/09
Labor Day
Building Healthy
Relationships and
Communicating Effectively
09/14
Understanding Your Sexuality
Chapter 5
09/16
Considering Your
Reproductive Choices
Chapter 6
09/21
Nutrition: Eating for a
Healthier You
Chapter 7
09/23
Reaching and Maintaining a
Healthy Weight
Chapter 8
09/28
Improving Your Physical
Fitness
09/30
Improving Your Physical
Fitness
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Chapter 4
Chapter 9
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Moving Mediation
Lecture
Video
Discussion
Visit Student Health
Center/Student Counseling
Center
Mindfulness Meditation
Practice
Perceived Stress Scale
Lecture
Video
Discussion
Journal #1 due
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Meditation
Family Tree Due
Lecture
Video
Discussion
Case Study - Healthy Date
Meditation
Lecture
Video
Discussion
Journal #2 due
Meditation
Exam 1 (Chapter 1-5)
Lecture
Video
Discussion
Eating Meditation
Healthy Snack Tasting
Lecture
Video
Discussion
Journal #3 due
Meditation
Lecture
Video
Discussion
Yoga Practice
Visit a Recreation Center
Journal #4 due
Fitness Break
Lecture
10/05
Drinking Alcohol Responsibly Chapter 10
10/07
10/12
10/14
Mid-Term Exam (Chapters 1-10)
Positive Psychology:
Flourishing – the well-lived
life
Emerging Health Issue
10/19
Ending Tobacco Use
Chapter 11
10/21
Avoiding Drug Misuse and
Abuse
Chapter 12
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Video
Discussion
Admission Ticket
Lecture
Video
Discussion
Review Chapter 1-10
Journal #5 due
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Attending the lecture in
Armstrong Center
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Movie Review – stress
On-line Discussion
Mid-term evaluation
Meditation
Lecture
Video
Discussion
Mid-term evaluation
feedback
Meditation
Visit National Institute on
Drug Abuse website
Lecture
Video
Discussion
Journal #6 due
Meditation
Health Fair
Lecture
Video
Discussion
Campus/Community
Events Due
Meditation
Lecture
Video
Discussion
Journal #7 due
Meditation
Lecture
Video
Discussion
Exam 2
Lecture
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10/26
Protecting against Infectious
Diseases
Chapter 13
10/28
Protecting against Sexually
Transmitted Infections
Chapter 14
11/02
Preventing Cardiovascular
Disease
Chapters 15,
16
11/04
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Reducing Your Cancer risk
Behavior Change Theory
National
Institutes of
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11/09
Reducing Risks and Coping
with Chronic Conditions
Health- Theory
at a glance: A
guide for
health
promotion
practice
Chapters 17,
18
Becoming a Responsible
Health care Consumer
11/11
Improve Your Physical Health
11/16
Preventing Violence and
Abuse
11/18
Preserving and Protecting
Your Environment
11/23
Health Issues in Life
11/25
11/30
Thanksgiving Break
Preparing for Aging, Death,
and Dying
12/02
Personal Health Assessment
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
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Discussion
One-Minute Feedback
Journal #8 due
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Meditation
Behavior Change/Personal
Wellness Plan Overview and
Discussion
Lecture
Video
Discussion
Yoga + Tai Chi Practice
Journal #9 due
Meditation
Peer-Review on Behavior
Change/Personal Wellness
Plan
Lecture
Video
Discussion
Meditation
Lecture
Video
Discussion
Journal # 10 due
Movie Reflection
On-line Discussion
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12/07
Meditation
Lecture
Video
Discussion
Health Promotion
Activities Fair
Review Chapter 11-21
Post-test: Personal Health
Assessment
Behavior Change/Personal
Wellness Plan Due
Final Exam (Chapter 11-21)
*This schedule is tentative and is subject to change if something occurs to alter the current
schedule. You will always be notified before hand if any changes occur. ;-)
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