Course Syllabus

Contact Information

Course Director: Mary Gowin, PhD, MPH

Assistant Professor, Department of Health Promotions Sciences, Hudson College of Public Health

Office Hours: By Appointment (in person before/after discussion sessions or via Zoom)

Email: mary-gowin@ouhsc.edu

Instructor: Sara King, MPH, CHES

Adjunct Faculty, Department of Health Promotions Sciences, Hudson College of Public Health

Office Hours: By Appointment (in person before/after discussion sessions or via Zoom)

Email: Sara-King@ouhsc.edu

Connection Details

Zoom Link:

https://oklahoma.zoom.us/j/94029902273?pwd=WFBFbS9GRWp4N3hXSWNKSHlQd3pYUT09

Meeting ID: 940 2990 2273

Password: PHCH3613

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Course Details

Course Meeting Times & Location

Day: Tuesday/Thursday

Time: 3:15pm-4:30pm

Location: Zoom

Course Prerequisites 

ENGL 1213 or EXPO 1213

PHCH 2113 Introduction to Public & Community Health

Course Description

This course explores key social determinants of health including: socioeconomic status, race/ethnicity, neighborhood environments, social relationships, and political economy. Mechanisms through which these factors are hypothesized to influence health, such as stress and access to health resources and constraints, will be discussed as well as the ways in which these mechanisms can operate across the life course.

Course Goals
The primary goal of this course is to introduce students to the primary determinants of health and to help students become familiar with how health is impacted across the life course by these determinants.

Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course, students will be able to:

1. Describe the primary determinants of health with a focus on the determinants of health that have the biggest impact on health outcomes.
2. Critically evaluate evidence for determinants of health and identify gaps in knowledge.
3. Reflect on how determinants of health contribute to health inequities/disparities.
4. Identify population groups who experience health inequities/disparities.
5. Identify and discuss strategies for altering the determinants of health and reducing health inequities/disparities.

Texts and Materials

There are no required textbooks for this course. Readings, videos, and other materials will be posted on Canvas or will be accessible online.

Teaching Philosophy

In this course we will use a variety of teaching techniques including: 1) direction (e.g. providing explanations of complex topics and specific guidance on how to conceptualize these topics through lectures), 2) delegation (e.g. assigning activities designed to facilitate learning and critical thinking), and 3) discussion (e.g. facilitating conversations about public health topics that help students organize their beliefs and defend them).

Expectations

Attendance: Attendance is expected for all class sessions and is vital to the successful completion of the course. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, we will be having class via Zoom until further notice.

Preparation: You are expected to be prepared for each class session by completing all the pre-discussion assignments. You should also be prepared to have conversations with us and your peers about complex and sometimes difficult topics. You are responsible for any and all material covered on any days you may be absent and will not receive credit for attendance exercises for those days.

Engagement: You are expected to fully engage in class session activities by being prepared, keeping an open mind, having fun, and being respectful of each other. This includes basic common courtesies you already know such as refraining from talking to your classmates during inappropriate times, not being on your phone during class, using your computer for class activities only, etc.

Timeliness: Students are expected to be on time for all class sessions, and any scheduled one-on-one meetings with the instructors. In some cases attendence exercises may be given at the beginning of the class. If you arrive late and the exercise is finished you will not be able to do a make-up. The same principles apply to leaving class early.

Correspondence: You are encouraged to communicate with us as frequently as you wish. Talk to us before/after your class session, email us, set-up a one-on-one with us. We want to talk to you, get to know you, and help you be successful in this class and in your future careers. All email correspondence should reflect the professional nature of the professor/student relationship. In order to ensure a timely response to emails include your name and the course number so that we can provide you with the appropriate information. Students should contact the instructors via the emails provided in the syllabus. In order to get a timely response please send your email to Dr. Gowin (Mary-Gowin@ouhsc.edu) with a copy to Ms. King (Sara-King@ouhsc.edu). We will typically respond to your email within 24 hours during regular work days/hours (Monday-Friday, 8-5) and will respond the next work day to emails sent over the weekend. For example, if you send an email on Friday after regular work hours (e.g. after 5:00pm) do not expect an email back until Monday morning after 8:00am. If you do not receive a response in that time frame then you should send a follow up email.

Respect: Students are expected to be respectful in conversations and dialogue with the instructors and their peers. The topics we will cover in this course are sometimes political in nature and some of the topics and activities may be uncomfortable for you and/or your peers.

Learning Activities, Assignments, & Assessments

Student progress in the course will be evaluated through preparation quizzes, attendance exercises, exams, and a research paper. Late assignments will NOT receive points, but may be evaluated (when appropriate) to provide feedback to the student. 

Grading Scale: Grades will be determined based on the scale in the table below. Your grade will be based solely on the number of points you earn in the class, not on your percentage points. Therefore you should consider that every point you earn is important to your final grade.

Assignment	Total Points Available	Grading Scale
Attendance Exercises	200	540-600 points = A
Reflection Exercises	100	480-539 points = B
Midterm Exam	100	420-479 points = C
Final Exam	100	360-419 points = D
Research Paper	100	< 359 points    = F
Total Points Possible	600

Attendance Exercises: Attendance is expected for each class session. In order to encourage your attendance, there will be exercises assigned during each class session. These exercises will vary throughout the semester and may include quizzes, worksheets, group activities, participation in a discussion, and/or other forms of class engagement. There will be at least 27 attendance exercises over the course of the semester. Each of the exercises will be worth 8 points each. Your two lowest attendance exercise grades will be dropped.

Reflection Exercises: Over the course of the semester you will complete 5 reflection exercises related to topics from the class. Reflection exercises will be submitted to the instructors via Canvas by the deadlines outlined in the class schedule and on Canvas. Exercises submitted after the deadline will not earn any points. There will be a total of 5 reflection exercises worth 20 points each.

Exams: There will be two exams total over the course of the semester. These exams will be a combination of multiple choice, matching, short answer, and essay questions. The exams will be administered through Canvas and will be timed. There will be a total of 2 exams worth 100 points each.

Research Paper: You will choose a specific population and a health issue. You will research the specific population, the health issue, the social determinants of health that are influencing this health issue, and the health disparities that exist as a results of the social determinants of health. After you have provided an overview of these topics you will then provide an overview of public health interventions that are addressing the health issue. You will critique these interventions, and provide recommendations on what types of interventions should be used to address the health issue in the specific population you have chosen to research. There will be one research paper worth 100 points.

Final Grade: Your grade in this class is based solely on the points you earn in the class. Therefore, you should consider every point as important to your final grade in the class. Your final grade in the course will be determined by how many points you earn. There is no rounding up in this system of grading. For example if you earn 540 points or more then you will have earned an A in the course. If you earn 480-539 points you will have earned a B in the course.

Additional Support for Learning: You are encouraged to utilize campus resources such as the Academic Calendar, the Library, the Writing Center, and other resources to help you complete assignments and have a successful semester. https://www.ou.edu/web/current_students

Course Policies

COVID-19 Attendance Policy: A temporary university policy has been established to protect the OU community by ensuring that students who are ill or required to isolate feel encouraged to remain at home. Missing a class session or other class activity due to illness or isolation will not result in a penalty for the absence, and the student will not be asked to provide formal documentation from a healthcare provider to excuse the absence. This policy is based on all students and faculty adhering to the principles of integrity, honesty, and concern for others. 

Students who are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, including cough, fever, shortness of breath, muscle pain, headache, chills, sore throat, loss of taste or smell, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, or diarrhea or who have been in close contact with others who have symptoms should: 

• Remain at home to protect others 
• Ensure that any needed screening has been conducted (COVID-19 Screening and Reporting Tool) and any needed treatment obtained 
• Contact the instructor prior to absence or inability to participate, if possible, and provide an honest report of the reason for which you cannot attend class or complete a course activity 
• Continue to complete coursework to the extent possible, using Canvas, zoom, and other online tools 
• Submit assignments electronically to the extent possible and as directed by the instructor 

Communicate with the instructor to arrange modifications to deadlines or work requirements or reschedule exams or other important course activities, when it is necessary.

Non-Illness Related Attendance Policy: When not related to an illness, attendance is expected for all discussion sessions. However, we understand that everyone may experience times when they need to miss a session for reasons other than illness. The way the discussion sessions are set up, you may miss two learning exercises over the course of the semester without an impact to your learning exercise grade (see learning exercise description). If you need to miss your discussion session you should alert the instructors to your absence via email. It is your responsibility to communicate to the instructor(s) if you have missed or will miss more than 2 class sessions for non-illness related reasons.

Late Assignment Policy: Late assignments will generally not receive any points. Assignments are late if they are not submitted prior to the deadline outlined in your syllabus and on canvas. Students are strongly encouraged to submit assignments well in advance of the deadline in order to ensure that the assignment is submitted on time. Technology issues are not a good excuse for submitting an assignment late as these issues can typically be resolved in a timely manner if the student does not wait until the last minute to submit.

Make-Up Policy: Generally speaking make up assignments, exams, etc. will not be given. If you are unable to complete an assignment, exam, etc. on time for any reason then you should communicate with the instructors to determine the course of action. University policies will be considered when determining the course of action. If you are allowed to make up an assignment, exam, etc. then you should be prepared for the assignment, exam, etc. to be a new/different version of the activity. For example, a multiple choice exam may be changed to a fill in the blank/essay exam. Learning assignments are generally not eligible for consideration for make-up and thus you will be able to drop your two lowest grades.

Coursework Submission Policy: You are expected to complete all assigned course work prior to the deadlines established in the syllabus and on Canvas. All coursework should be submitted via Canvas. Emailed assignments will not be accepted. Late work will not receive any points. All assignments will be checked for originality and any assignment determined not to be an original work will receive no points.

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University Academic Policies

Masking Policy

As outlined by the University of Oklahoma's Chief COVID Officer, until further notice, employees, students, and visitors of the OU community will be mandated to wear masks (1.) when they are inside University facilities and vehicles and (2.) when they are outdoors on campus and social distancing of at least six feet is not possible. For the well-being of the entire university community it is important that everyone demonstrate the appropriate health and safety behaviors outlined in the University Mandatory Masking Policy (https://www.ou.edu/coronavirus/masking-policy). As this mandate includes all campus classrooms, please make sure you are wearing your mask while in class. If you do not have a mask or forgot yours, see the professor for available masks. If you have an exemption from the Mandatory Masking Policy, please see the professor to make accommodations before class begins. If and where possible, please make your professor aware of your exemption and/or accommodation prior to arriving in class. If a student is unable or unwilling to wear a mask and has not made an accommodation request through the ADRC, they will be instructed to exit the classroom

Copyright Policy

Sessions of this course may be recorded or live-streamed. These recordings are the intellectual property of the individual faculty member and may not be shared or reproduced without the explicit, written consent of the faculty member. In addition, privacy rights of others such as students, guest lecturers, and providers of copyrighted material displayed in the recording may be of concern. Students may not share any course recordings with individuals not enrolled in the class, or upload them to any other online environment. It is illegal to download, upload, reproduce, or distribute any copyrighted material, in any form and in any fashion, without permission from the copyright holder or his/her authorized agent. The University of Oklahoma expects all members of its community to comply fully with federal copyright laws. If such laws appear to have been violated by any user, the university reserves the right (1) to terminate that user’s access to some or all of the university’s computer systems and information resources and (2) to take additional disciplinary actions as deemed necessary or appropriate. Repeat offenders will be sanctioned and their privileges terminated.

Academic Misconduct/Academic Integrity

In addition to the course conduct policies outlined by your professor in the Course Syllabus in the online classroom, please review the Student Handbook. It is the responsibility of each student to be familiar with the definitions, policies, and procedures concerning academic misconduct. The Student Code is available from the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, and is contained in the Student's Guide to Academic Integrity. This site also defines misconduct, provides examples of prohibited conduct, and explains the sanctions available for those found guilty of misconduct.

Cheating is strictly prohibited at the University of Oklahoma, because it devalues the degree you are working hard to get. As a member of the OU community it is your responsibility to protect your educational investment by knowing and following the rules. For specific definitions on what constitutes cheating, review the Student’s Guide to Academic Integrity at http://integrity.ou.edu/students_guide.html

Unless the instructors provide you with instructions to the contrary, work on exercises, exams, etc. must be yours and yours alone. You may not receive outside help. Should you see someone else engaging in this behavior, we encourage you to report it to us or the Office of Academic Integrity Programs. Be aware that it is our professional obligation to report academic misconduct, which we will not hesitate to do. Sanctions for academic misconduct can include expulsion from the University and an F in this course, so don’t cheat. It’s simply not worth it.

Plagiarism is the most common form of academic misconduct at OU. There is basically no college-level assignment that can be satisfactorily completed by copying. OU's basic assumption about writing is that all written assignments show the student's own understanding in the student's own words. That means all writing assignments, in class or out, are assumed to be composed entirely of words generated (not simply found) by the student, except where words written by someone else are specifically marked as such with proper citation. Including other people's words in your paper is helpful when you do it honestly and correctly. When you don't, it's plagiarism. 

For more information about plagiarism, watch this video and then take this short course offered by University Libraries.

Religious Observances

It is the policy of the University to excuse absences of students that result from religious observances and to provide for the rescheduling of examinations and additional required classwork that may fall on religious holidays without penalty. It is the responsibility of the student to make alternate arrangements with the instructor at least one week prior to the actual date of the religious holiday.

Reasonable Accommodation Policy

The University of Oklahoma is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for all students with disabilities. Students with disabilities who require accommodations in this course should contact their professor as early in the semester as possible.

Students with disabilities must be registered with the Disability Resource Center prior to receiving accommodations in this course.

If you have a disability and you would like to make a request for reasonable accommodation, please see the Graduate Student Handbook or get in touch with the Accessibility and Disability Resource Center.

Title IX Resources & Reporting Requirements

For any concerns regarding gender-based discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, stalking, or intimate partner violence, the University offers a variety of resources, including advocates on-call 24/7, counseling services, mutual no contact orders, scheduling adjustments, and disciplinary sanctions against the perpetrator. Please contact the Sexual Misconduct Office at 405-325-2215 (8-5, M-F) or OU Advocates at 405-615-0013 (24/7) to learn more or to report an incident. Also, please be advised that a professor/GA/TA is required to report instances of sexual harassment, sexual assault, or discrimination to the Sexual Misconduct Office. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies can be directed to University Equal Opportunity Officer and Title IX Coordinator at 405/325-3546 or smo@ou.edu . For more information, visit http://www.ou.edu/eoo.html. 

Adjustments for Pregnancy/Childbirth Related Issues

Should you need modifications or adjustments to your course requirements because of documented pregnancy-related or childbirth-related issues, please contact me as soon as possible to discuss your options. Generally, modifications will be made where medically necessary and similar in scope to accommodations based on temporary disability.  Learn more about the rights of pregnant and parenting students by consulting the FAQ sheets provided by the Institutional Equity Office.

Final Exam Preparation Period

Pre-finals week will be defined as the seven calendar days before the first day of finals. Faculty may cover new course material throughout this week. For specific provisions of the policy please refer to OU’s Final Exam Preparation Period policy (https://apps.hr.ou.edu/FacultyHandbook#4.10).

Student Support

Course Catalog 

Search the OU Course Catalogue.

Student Handbook

Please familiarize yourself with the OU Student Handbook.

Online Library

Access digital materials and other resources at OU Libraries.

Registration and Withdrawal

If you choose to withdraw from this course, you must complete the appropriate University form and turn the form in before the deadline. If you stop attending the course and doing the coursework without doing the required paperwork, your grade will be calculated with missed homework and examination grades entered as zero. This could result in receiving a grade of F in the course. Deadlines are shown in the Academic Calendar, which is available from the Office of the Registrar.

Student Grievances

In addition to any policies outlined related to submitting an informal or formal grievance by your professor in the Course Syllabus in the online classroom, please review the Graduate Student Handbook for more information about the process of submitting a formal grievance.

Mental Health Support Services

If you are experiencing any mental health issues that are impacting your academic performance, counseling is available at the University Counseling Center (UCC). The Center is located on the second floor of the Goddard Health Center, at 620 Elm Rm. 201, Norman, OK 73019. To schedule an appointment call (405) 325-2911. For more information please visit http://www.ou.edu/ucc.

Emergency Protocol

During an emergency, there are official university procedures that will maximize your safety.

Severe Weather

If you receive an OU Alert to seek refuge or hear a tornado siren that signals severe weather 1. LOOK for severe weather refuge location maps located inside most OU buildings near the entrances 2. SEEK refuge inside a building. Do not leave one building to seek shelter in another building that you deem safer. If outside, get into the nearest building. 3. GO to the building’s severe weather refuge location. If you do not know where that is, go to the lowest level possible and seek refuge in an innermost room. Avoid outside doors and windows. 4. GET IN, GET DOWN, COVER UP. 5. WAIT for official notice to resume normal activities.

Link to Severe Weather Refuge Areas , Severe Weather Preparedness - Video

Armed Subject/Campus Intruder

If you receive an OU Alert to shelter-in-place due to an active shooter or armed intruder situation or you hear what you perceive to be gunshots:

1. GET OUT: If you believe you can get out of the area WITHOUT encountering the armed individual, move quickly towards the nearest building exit, move away from the building, and call 911. 2. HIDE OUT: If you cannot flee, move to an area that can be locked or barricaded, turn off lights, silence devices, spread out, and formulate a plan of attack if the shooter enters the room. 3. TAKE OUT: As a last resort fight to defend yourself.

For more information, visit http://www.ou.edu/emergencypreparedness.html

Shots Fired on Campus Procedure - Video

Fire Alarm/General Emergency

If you receive an OU Alert that there is danger inside or near the building, or the fire alarm inside the building activates: 1. LEAVE the building. Do not use the elevators. 2. KNOW at least two building exits 3. ASSIST those that may need help 4. PROCEED to the emergency assembly area 5 ONCE safely outside, NOTIFY first responders of anyone that may still be inside building due to mobility issues. 6. WAIT for official notice before attempting to re-enter the building.

OU Fire Safety on Campus