COURSE SYLLABUS
Instructor
Information: Dr. F. Stephen Bridges
Professor of Community Health Education
Office: Bldg. 72, Rm 258
Email: fbridges@uwf.edu
Phone: 474-2051
Fax: 474-2106
Webpage: http://uwf.edu/hlsd/bridges.htm
Office Hours: My virtual office hours are Monday and Wednesday, 10:00 to
12noon and Tuesday 1:00 to 3:00 pm. I will also be available online during
these days/times to answer emails ...usually within 48 hrs or less.
If you want to speak with me in-person or by telephone, then please call
474-2592 (HLES main office) to make an appointment to get on my schedule
for these days and times above.
PLEASE NOTE:
1) As a courtesy since all my classes are online... please put your "First & Last Names"
& the "Name of the Course" in the SUBJECT LINE of any EMAIL to me... if you expect a
response. I have many students and do not always immediately recognize which class or
classes you are enrolled in ok? I can also help you faster when you do this...thanks:>)
2) I do not respond to students questions about exam questions until 4 business days after
the exam due date. This give you time to check the answers after the due date per exam
directions. Feel free to look up answers in the CAH textbook.
3) I do not use the PAGER tool in your online course(s).
If you have technical difficulties or problems with eLearning, contact the
UWF Help Desk at 850.474.2075 or helpdesk@uwf.edu
Textbook: COMMUNICATING ABOUT HEALTH: Current Issues and
Perspectives (CAH), 3rd ed., Dr. Athena du Pre', University of West
Florida, 2010 ISBN 978-0-19-538033-0 pbk.
Go to http://www.oup.com/us/?view=usa and enter the name of the book
in the SEARCH box. Alternatively, go to the book directly at
http://www.oup.com/us/catalog/general/subject/Communication/SpeechCo
mmunication/~~/dmlldz11c2EmY2k9OTc4MDE5NTM4MDMzMA==
It can also can be purchased at UWF in person or by mail from the UWF
bookstore. If you are not local then you may want to contact the UWF
Bookstore at 850.474.3096 / email Mr. Danny Worden [dworden@uwf.edu]
to arrange for purchasing this textbook (paper format only).
Lastly, the textbook for the course HSC 5135 1031 is available for students
as a rental title. Rental titles from the UWF Bookstore can save your
students on Average 55% off the cost of a new textbook. These textbooks
can be purchased in store or via our website, and only at the UWF Bookstore
do your students have the option of purchasing their textbooks with their
Nautilus card or Financial Aid.
For more information on Rent-A-Text please visit http://www.rent-atext.com or their website at http://www.uwf.bkstr.com.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact:
Danny Worden
Textbook Manager
UWF Bookstore
850-474-3095
dworden@uwf.edu
CAH textbook (2nd Ed. ; however, students need to obtain the 3rd Edition ASAP)
Chapters 1-4 have been scanned into the course for your
convenience.
Click open Links between Content and Discussions at the top of your screen.
Links: Hlth Guidance textbook
Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 1 - Part 1
Chapter 1 - Part 2
Chapter 2 - History and Current Issues
Chapter 2 - Part 1
Chapter 2 - Part 2
Chapter 3: Patient-Caregiver Communication
Chapter 3 - Part 1
Chapter 3 - Part 2
Chapter 4: Caregiver Perspective
Chapter 4 - Part 1
Chapter 4 - Part 4
This was done especially for those purchasing a CAH textbook online where
there may be a 3-5 day shipping time period or possibly longer. Do not wait
to start obtaining a CAH textbook; please do so the first day of the course.
The chapters are viewable after clicking open "Links" at the top of the page
next to "Classlist." To view be sure you have Adobe Acrobat (AA) which
can be downloaded for free in the 'Course Orientation' section of this course
under 'Content'....once in 'Course Orientation' scroll to the bottom of the
page.
If you have technical difficulties or problems with eLearning, contact the
UWF Help Desk at 850.474.2075 or helpdesk@uwf.edu
Course Description using Desire to Learn (D2L):
HSC 5135 Health Guidance is taught using the Desire to Learn (D2L) format
that allows for a dynamic and interactive exchange of information available
on the Internet. D2L is a web-based courseware application that allows
professors to post their course-related information for students and conduct
courses online in a secure environment.
The course examines the role(s) of Health Educators in providing health
guidance and an advanced study of the agencies and organizations providing
health education and services.
In addition, this course will provide you with a variety of learning
opportunities designed to make you aware of factual information concerning
health communication. Students will learn about the research and theory of
health communication. The course offers practical advice and examples that
allow students to further develop their own skills in health communication.
The text provides balanced coverage (it includes doctor and patient
perspectives), a strong emphasis on the history of health care, an
examination of culture's role in health and healing, and a look at the current
issues and challenges facing health care in contemporary society.
About this Course: This course is delivered completely online. You must
have consistent access to the Internet. Learning at a distance may be a very
different environment for many of you. You will generally set your own
schedules, participate in class activities at your convenience, and work at
your own pace. You may spend some additional time online during the first
few weeks while you become acclimated to the online class format and you
may feel overwhelmed. You should also be prepared to spend approximately
6 - 8 hours per week online completing lessons, activities, and participating
in class discussions.
Finally, you may want to incorporate these tips to help you get started:

Set yourself a schedule -- check the course web site early in the class
week to see what tasks you'll need to work on for the week.

Become very familiar with the site and how to use it. It is a tool to help
you learn!

Team up with your classmates to discuss class assignments and
questions you might have. Check the “Classlist” link ? for biography info
and email addresses.
 If you have technical difficulties or problems with eLearning, contact the
UWF Help Desk at 850.474.2075 or helpdesk@uwf.edu
 Ask questions when you need answers. If you have problems, contact
your instructor ASAP! I will help you come up with a solution.
General Course Objectives: At the conclusion of the course the student
will be able to:
1. To demonstrate a knowledge of the history of health care.
2. To demonstrate an understanding of culture's role in health and healing.
3. To demonstrate a knowledge of current issues including information on
how managed care, telemedicine, financial reform, the Internet, and other
factors are changing the nature of health communication.
4. To demonstrate an understanding of issues of diversity.
5. To demonstrate an understanding of cultural diversity in terms of thinking
about health and healing, and how gender, age, race, and language
differences influence health communication.
6. To demonstrate that students can examine their styles of communicating
about health.
7. To demonstrate that students can enhance their critical thinking skills.
8. To demonstrate a knowledge of the latest issues and concerns in health
communication, ranging from topics about ethical considerations to tips for
patients and caregivers.
Course Requirements:
1. Weekly reading and Homework Assignments
2. Four on-line sectional Exams
You will be given you sufficient time to complete the exams once you
login. You may login only once and are expected to complete the exam
then.
3. Electronic 'Health Communication' Activity Portfolio
See details in Course Assignments section under Important Course
Information heading.
Method of Evaluation/Grading:
1. Four sectional exams (60 points each) - 240 points (40.0%)
2. 13 Weekly reading and graded homework assignments - 195
points (32.5%)
(includes DROPBOX & DISCUSSION assignments of variable worth or variable point value)
3.
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Electronic 'Health Communication’ Activity Portfolio - 165
points (27.5%)
Portfolio Evaluation:
The minimum criteria necessary to secure your desired grade for the Portfolio is as
follows:
o QUALITY: Appropriate material is used; writing style and grammar
o COMPREHENSIVENESS: The thoroughness of your work; followed directions.
o FORMAT: Activities must be submitted in an organized manner -- in numerical
order as the activities are listed above (plastic ringed binder notebook with
section dividers is required).
o NEATNESS: Typing only will be acceptable.
PORTFOLIO BREAKDOWN:
1. Quality
65
2. Comprehensiveness
65
3. Format
20
4. Neatness
15
TOTAL
165 pts
Any written assignments for this Portfolio need to be typed and follow APA format with 1”
margins, doubled-spaced and appropriate use of references.
There is 30pt optional extra credit activity available with the portfolio.
TOTAL POINTS in the course possible - 600 points (100%)
Grading Scale: A 94 - 100% (564-600)
A- 90 - 93.9% (540-563.9)
B+ 87 - 89.9% (522-539.9)
B 83 - 86.9% (498-521.9)
B- 80 - 82.9% (480-497.9)
C+ 77 - 79.9% (462-479.9)
C
73 - 76.9% (438-461.9)
C- 70 - 72.9% (420-437.9)
D+ 67 - 69.9% (402-419.9)
D 60 - 66.9% (360-401.9)
F
0 - 59.9% (0-359.9)
Required Materials:
Internet Access
Email Account @ UWF
Please note that the attendance/participation policy for this class is
based on the information found online in the 2008/2009 University Catalog
(see directly below) or go to
http://uwf.edu/catalog/acad2.cfm#acadattendance.
The University expects students to take full responsibility for their academic
work and academic progress. To progress satisfactorily, students must meet
the requirements of each course for which they are registered. Successful
work depends to a large extent on regular class attendance [fsb: and
participation in online courses].
Class attendance is regarded as an academic matter. Each faculty member
will provide a written attendance policy to each class within the first week of
classes. The use of attendance records in grading and handling of any
excuses for absences is left to the discretion of the faculty member
responsible for the course, subject to the guidelines given below:
A. Students will be excused from class to observe religious holidays of
their faith. No major test, major class event, or major University
activity will be scheduled on a major religious holiday.
B. Absences for imposed legal responsibilities (e.g., jury duty, court
appearance) will be recognized as excused absences.
C. Absences resulting from participation in extracurricular activities in
which students are official representatives of the University will be
recognized as excused absences.
D. Absences for serious illness, death or serious illness within the
student’s immediate family, military obligations, or other sound
reasons offered by the student may be accepted as excused absences.
It is the responsibility of students to know the attendance policy of each
course they are taking. Students must inform their instructor(s) of absences
from classes prior to or as soon as possible after the absence [Dr B: 3 day
limit]. Instructors have the right to request verification for all excused
absences. Students are held accountable for all assignments in each course,
whether or not the assignments were announced during an absence. Faculty
are encouraged to provide opportunities for students to make up
examinations and other work missed because of an excused absence.
Reserve/National Guard Duty
To fulfill a reservist or National Guard military obligation of no more than two
weeks concurrent with a normal academic semester at UWF, students must
receive written permission for such absences from the instructors and
departmental chairpersons for each course in which they are enrolled. The
approval is not automatic but is discretionary with the instructors and
departmental chairpersons.
Academic Honesty – Expectations for Academic Conduct and
Plagiarism Policy:
As members of the University of West Florida, we commit ourselves to
honesty. As we strive for excellence in performance, integrity—both personal
and institutional—is our most precious asset. Honesty in our academic work
is vital, and we will not knowingly act in ways which erode that integrity.
Accordingly, we pledge not to cheat, nor to tolerate cheating, nor to
plagiarize the work of others. We pledge to share community resources in
ways that are responsible and that comply with established policies of
fairness. Cooperation and competition are means to high achievement and
are encouraged. Indeed, cooperation is expected unless our directive is to
individual performance. We will compete constructively and professionally for
the purpose of stimulating high performance standards. Finally, we accept
adherence to this set of expectations for academic conduct as a condition of
membership in the UWF academic community.
Academic Conduct Policy: (Web Format) | (PDF Format) | (RTF Format)
Plagiarism Policy: (Word Format) | (PDF Format) | (RTF Format)
Student Handbook: (PDF Format)
ASSISTANCE:Students with special needs who require specific examinationrelated or other course-related accommodations should contact Barbara
Fitzpatrick, Director of Disabled Student Services (DSS), dss@uwf.edu,
(850) 474-2387. DSS will provide the student with a letter for the instructor
that will specify any recommended accommodations.
Classroom/Online Behavior: "University of West Florida faculty are
responsible for establishing and implementing appropriate academic
standards as well as reasonable behavior standards for each class.
Disruptive classroom conduct, a violation of the UWF Student Code of
Conduct, is defined as individual or group conduct of a nature that interrupts
or interferes with educational activities, infringes upon the rights and
privileges of others, results in the destruction of property or is otherwise
prejudicial to the maintenance of order. Violations should be reported to the
Office of Student Affairs for adjudication through the Student Conduct
System." (pg. 47)
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(Source: University Student Life Handbook... see pages 46-49).