Georgia State University
Urban Health PH 7300
Fall 2014
CRN 84227
Thursdays 1:00 – 3:30 pm
Room 503 Classroom South
INSTRUCTOR: John A. Steward, M.P.H.
School of Public Health
Urban Life Building, Room 860
(404) 413-1137
jsteward@gsu.edu
OFFICE HOURS: Weekdays, by appointment. I am always happy to talk to students outside of class about
their interests and concerns. I find it better to have conferences away from the classroom (coffee,
office, out on a walk, etc.) rather than before or after a class session. Therefore, if it’s more than a very
quick question, set up an appointment. In addition, I monitor email every day, and I welcome your
questions or concerns if you prefer this communication.
Description
Urban health explores the relationship between the urban setting and the health of people living,
working, and playing in cities. It develops an understanding of many features of cities, both individually
and collectively, and how they influence people’s health. It compares and analyzes various aspects of
place, people, and systems associated with cities. The course is presented as an interdisciplinary
exploration in which many disciplines contribute and work collectively to understanding and improving
public health. The course challenges students with real-life aspects of the city to learn firsthand about
various factors that influence health and to provide real-life investigation of theory.
Prerequisites: None (graduate standing)
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
 Assess urban health problems from an interdisciplinary perspective.
 Evaluate positive and negative implications of the urban environment.
 Evaluate various programs, policies, and systems that comprise the urban environment and health.
 Analyze how the unique context of place, specifically urban areas, influences population health.
 Evaluate the environmental, social and economic factors that determine urban health conditions.
 Design, conduct, and present a health impact assessment (HIA) that addresses a real-world issue or
project through an evaluative group process.
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).


Analyze approaches to assessing, preventing and controlling environmental hazards that
pose risks to human health (MPH Core Competency 7)
Describe how social and behavioral risk factors contribute to individual and public health
outcomes. (MPH Core Competency 13)
Course Objectives
Program Competency
Assessment Method(s)
Assess urban health
problems from an
interdisciplinary
perspective.
Evaluate positive and
negative implications of
the urban environment.
Evaluate various
programs, policies, and
systems that comprise the
urban environment and
health.
Analyze how the unique
context of place,
specifically urban areas,
influences population
health.
Evaluate the
environmental, social and
economic factors that
determine urban health
conditions.
Design, conduct, and
present a health impact
assessment (HIA) that
addresses a real-world
issue or project through
an evaluative group
process.
Competency 7 and 13
Group project report and presentation
Competency 7
Group project report and presentation;
portfolio
Competency 7
Group project report and presentation;
portfolio
Assignment #1; portfolio
Competency 7 and 13
Assignment #1; portfolio
Group project
Textbook
Freudenberg, Galea, and Vlahov (eds.), Cities and the Health of the Public, Vanderbilt University Press,
July 2006, isbn: 978-0-8265-1512-4.
Grading Elements and Policy
Course Portfolio
Written Assignment
Health Impact Assessment project (group)
Class Participation
40%
15%
30%
15%
Grading is based on 100 total points.
90 – 100 points = A (90 -100%)
80 – 89 points = B (80- 89%)
70 -- 79 points = C (70 -79%)
60 – 69 points = D (60- 69%)
<60 points = F (<60%)
The instructor is always willing to discuss the course, objectives, assignment requirements, activities,
and evaluation. Students may request review of a specific grade for a course element. Any formal
request for reconsideration of a grade must be initiated by the student in writing to the instructor (via
Desire2Learn email) within 10 business days of return of the graded assignment. The request should
provide a detailed explanation and the basis for reconsideration.
The last day to withdraw from a course with the possibility of receiving ‘W’ is October 14. All students
who withdraw after this date may receive a ‘WF.’
Course Requirements
1. Each student will complete the following:
2. Course Attendance and Participation
a. This grading element includes attending in-class sessions, being engaged in and prepared for
class activities, participating in Desire2Learn (D2L) activities (such as discussion topic posts), and
group project participation.
b. Readings are assigned for each session. These will include the assigned textbook chapters as
well as published articles, web pages, and other resources available on D2L or on the internet.
Students are expected to prepare for class participation by completing the readings and
comprehending the materials prior to each session.
c. More than one unexcused absence, or two or more instances of unexcused late arrivals (>15
minutes) will impact the component grade by 10 percent per occurrence. Excused absences and
tardiness may be granted by written request at least 48 hours in advance of class in advance of
class, or by providing appropriate documentation of a legitimate reason, such as illness.
Participation in class field trips and independent activities such as attending meetings, Beltline
tour, and seminars/webinars. Information about opportunities will be provided when available,
and students are also encouraged to identify other opportunities and to share them with other
class members.
d. Course citizenship, leadership, creativity, and insight into the subject matter during course
activities (in class, online discussions, group project, etc.) will also be noted in determining
course participation grade.
e. Completion of a mid-term, interim report on the student’s progress toward completing course
requirements and portfolio.
f. Completion of mid-term and final course evaluations (provided by instructor on D2L).
3. Assignments
a. A single, relatively brief written assignment on urban health. Specific guidance will be provided
for the assignment. The paper will be completed and turned in by uploading to D2L. Students
should be prepared to discuss their written work at the deadline date, both in class and in online discussions. (15% of course grade)
b. Participation in an Atlanta-based group project is required. The project involves researching,
analyzing, developing, and conducting a project that addresses a “real-world” urban health issue
or problem. Instructor will facilitate the organization of groups, guided by class members’
preferences. Projects are subject to approval by the instructor before beginning. The groups
are to be multidisciplinary in composition to the extent possible. Separate guidance regarding
the project will be provided.
c. Portfolio Assignment: In lieu of exams, students will complete a portfolio of work covering the
entire course. The portfolio will showcase your work completed over the semester and will
include your personal learning objectives, critical reflection on the semester’s topics, materials,
and completed work, minor and major elements involving urban health, chosen by students
individually, and a presentation of portfolio highlights in class. It is to be turned in by the
scheduled final exam time and date. Detailed instructions about the approach, content, and
grading elements will be provided.
d. Specific Requirements on assignments: For the assignment, project, and portfolio, instructions
and a rubric will be provided. Written feedback on each assignment will be provided as well as a
numerical summation score.
e. No exams will be required for this course (see above).
Use of Desire2Learn (D2L)
Georgia State University provides an on-line learning management system called Desire2Learn (D2L)
that will be used to manage all class business. This includes gradebook, email, discussions, calendar,
announcements, surveys, and assignments, including posting instructions and turning in completed
work.
 A module will be developed for each course unit, which includes readings, reference materials, web
links, and presentations.
 The course page will have a copy of the current syllabus and any changes that occur as we go
through the course.
 Students should check D2L email daily and use D2L email to communicate with the instructor. If GSU
campus email is used to email the instructor, the student must begin the subject line with “PH7300
course business.”
 Students are responsible for being able to access and competently use the features in D2L, including
course home page, announcements, calendar, weekly modules, assignments/dropbox, discussions,
assessments, grade book, and email. All of these features may be used by both the instructor and
the students.
 Always perform a system check to verify correct computer settings (available on the D2L logon
page). Students may consult the GSU help desk if problems and cannot be resolved. Students should

be aware that there are times that some Desire2Learn (D2L) features are temporarily unavailable,
and this is outside the control of the instructor. Therefore, it is advisable to plan ahead and access
necessary information and features well ahead of deadlines and class times.
All written assignments are to be submitted electronically using Desire2Learn (D2L) prior to the
deadline. Assignments are required to be completed in Microsoft Office (2003 or newer) format and
saved with the appropriate file extension (doc, docx, ppt, rtf, etc), unless permission to use an
alternative program or app is obtained in advance. Students should retain back-up electronic copies
of all work submitted. Hard copy of assignments will not be accepted.
Policy on Late Assignments
Ten percent of the total possible points will be deducted from a written assignment score if turned in
after the deadline. An additional 5 percent will be deducted for each subsequent 24-hour period that
the assignment is late. After five business days following the deadline, the assignment will not be scored
or credited toward the course. Please let the instructor know if you anticipate having difficulty
completing an assignment by the deadline or if unforeseen circumstances occur. Exceptions will only be
provided for good cause and at the sole discretion of the instructor.
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.
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/.
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.
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/careerresources/. The SPH Career Services office is co-located with the Office of Academic Assistance in
room 640 at One Park Place.
The syllabus provides a general plan for the course; changes may be necessary as the course
progresses. See D2L for additional materials, assignments, schedule changes, and the most current
syllabus.
PH 7300 Schedule of Activities*
Date
Subject
Activity
Assignment
August 28
Urban health as a
discipline and
introductions
Concepts, history,
and trends in urban
health
In-class discussion
Read: Textbook, preface and Chapter 1;
http://tinyurl.com/citiesandhealth
In-class discussion;
Read: Textbook, Chapters 2 and 7, and
Galea et al, “Cities and population
health,” Social Science & Medicine 60
(2005) 1017–1033 (on D2L).
September
4
September
11
Determinants of
health
In-class discussion; view
Unnatural Causes, Episode 1
Read: Textbook, Chapter 3 and 4;
additional readings on D2L.
September
25
Urban health from
the community’s
perspective
Field trip to community
Read: Textbook, Chapter 9 and
Neighborhoods Count (on D2L) ;
Assignment 1 due (D2L)
September
18
Urban physical
environment and
health
In-class discussion debrief
from field trip
Read: Textbook, Chapter 4;
View (on your own): Unnatural Causes,
Episode 5 “Place Matters”;
October 16
Urban social
environment; health
in all policies
Guest speaker
Read: Cohen, D. “Broken Windows” and
the Risk of Gonorrhea. American Journal
of Public Health. 2000, articles on D2L
October 2
Introduction to
health impact
assessment
Guest speaker:
Read: Textbook, Chapter 3; articles on
D2L; portfolio prospectus due (D2L)
October 9
HIA screening and
scoping
In-class discussion
Read: Textbook, Chapters 12 and 13;
articles on D2L
October 23
Programs addressing
urban problems:
food insecurity and
poverty
Field trip to Atlanta
Community Food Bank
Read: Textbook, Chapter 6; articles on
D2L
October 30
HIA assessing risks
and health data
In-class discussion
Read: Textbook, Chapters 8; articles on
D2L
Topic: injury
November 6
Public Health
Services in the City
Field trip to Fulton County
Health Department
Read: Textbook, Chapter 15; Frieden, IJE
2008 (D2L)
November
13
HIA developing
recommendations
In-class discussion
Read: Textbook Chapters 10 - 11; articles
on D2L
Stakeholder engagement in
HIA
Read: Textbook Chapter 5; articles on D2L
Topic: Infectious
disease
November
20
HIA: Reporting and
recommendations
Topic: safety net
health care
November
27
Holiday- NO CLASS
December 4
Healthy cities: where
do we go from here?
Group presentations; in-class
discussion
Read: Textbook Chapters 14 and 16
Portfolio
Presentations
Individual visual
presentations
Written portfolios due by December 12
December
11
Group presentation reports due at the
end of class period
*Activities and assignments subject to change. Check D2L regularly for the most up to date version of
the syllabus.