Syllabus
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Health 1110
- Stress Management
Syllabus
CREDIT: 3 credit
hours
PREREQUISITES: None
INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Michael Olpin
Course Description
Course Purpose
The purpose of this course is to teach students the basic
principles, theories and relaxation techniques to effectively manage
personal stress. Students will gain a greater understanding of the
mind-body relationship, learn to employ a holistic approach to stress
and adopt effective cognitive, coping and relaxation techniques.
Ultimately, students will experience a more effective approach to
optimal lifelong health. The learning activities of the course are both
theoretical and experiential.
Rationale
More than 80% of all diseases and illnesses have a stress
component. More than 90% of Americans deal with stress
ineffectively. As health care costs continue to rise, more
emphasis will be placed on each individual to accept the responsibility
for his or her health. The application of effective strategies for
stress reduction is a very important component of optimal health.
Required Materials
-
Stress management for life: A research based experiential approach. Olpin, M. & Hesson, M. (2007). Belmont,CA: Thomson Learning.
- Stress Relief DVD. Olpin, M. (2005) (Included with the textbook)
Click HERE to order the textbook (When you get to the page, type "Olpin" in the searchbox. You should be able to find the book from there).
The Stress Relief DVD should be found inside your textbook. You will need the DVD to complete many of the activities in the class.
Course Objectives: The student will
have the opportunity to:
Understand the holistic nature (mind-body-spirit) of stress management
and comprehend the mind-body connection of the stress and disease
process
Master the basic understanding of the physiological mechanisms
responsible for the fight-or-flight response and subsequent
manifestations of various symptoms of target organ dysfunctions.
Understand the importance of using effective coping skills to resolve
stressful perceptions and gain a sense of wholeness and inner peace by
using these skills.
Learn about and experience several relaxation techniques and learn to
integrate these techniques into your daily living habits to help you
control stress and tension.
Participate in online class discussions.
Throughout the course we will treat
the following topic areas:
The nature of stress including the physiology of stress and how stress
affects human conditions
Psychological aspects of stress
The two main emotions of stress: fear and anger
Spiritual aspects of stress
Coping strategies
Values, goals and life direction
Cognitive restructuring
Behavior modification
Humor Therapy
Time Management
Exercise and Nutrition
Leisure
& hobbies
Relaxation Techniques:
-
Relaxing breathing
-
meditation
-
yoga
-
guided imagery
-
music therapy
-
progressive muscle relaxation
-
autogenic training
-
mindfulness and childlikeness
Major Class Activities During the Semester
(Check the Assignments & Schedule Page for the Semester Schedule and Due Dates)
Personal Mission Statement -
Developing Your Own Constitution
Students will go through the process of developing their own mission
statement.
Time Management Program
Students will learn and use an effective time management
program.
Chapter Assignments
Each week of the semester students complete assignments for each
chapter. These assignments will require reading the appropriate
chapters and answering the questions. The assignments must be done
during the week posted or earlier. They will not be available to
complete after the week they are scheduled. They may be
completed early.
Stress Relief DVD Deep Relaxation Exercises
You will use the Stress Relief DVD to practice deep
and effective relaxation techniques. The dates for doing these
can be accessed from the Assignments and Schedule page.
Book
Review
A review of a book relating to stress management, mental, emotional,
and/or spiritual health will be due by Lesson 12. The book will be
chosen from the book list provided below, or you may present a book to
the instructor for his approval.
The review will be submitted in the submission box in the book review assessment of Lesson 12. You will followthe the criteria listed below in your word processor and then paste it in the submission box.
The review should be in the following format: 3-4 typed pages, double-spaced, with one-inch margins. It should also include a cover page stating the title of the book, the author of the book, the date the book was published, the student's name, and the student's I.D. number.
Books you have to read (or have read) for other classes will not be permitted for this book review.
The content of the review should include a thorough analysis of the following:
-
Main ideas of the book
-
Why you chose the book
-
How the author(s) of the book approaches stress management, mental, emotional and/or spiritual health
-
Information that you learned
-
Ideas you thought were interesting
-
To what audience is the author writing
-
How you have changed after reading the book
-
If you would, or would not recommend this book to others, and why or why not
-
Any other appropriate and interesting things you might include
The book review will be graded for completeness on the book and for grammar and spelling. You will be asked which book you have chosen by the third week of the class.
The Booklist can be found inside Lesson 2 and by clicking here:
http://faculty.weber.edu/molpin/healthclasses/1110/greatbooks.html
Stress Relief Final Paper
As part of the lesson 15, a final paper will be written primarily
summarizing your experience of the relaxation techniques practiced
during the semester and the other activities you participated in. The
criteria for this paper can be found by following the link from the
final week's assignments page.
Evaluation
Your grade will be calculated by the accumulation of points from the
following items:
|
Personal Mission Statement |
20 points |
| Total | 450 points |
Grades are based on a percentage of the
total possible points earned in the class.
The following total number of points are associated with the final
grades.
|
93% and above A |
73% C 70% C- 67% D 63% D 60% D- less than 60% E |
Dive In!
A word about the nature of this class. Albert Einstein said, "Stupidity is most clearly demonstrated by the person who ridicules something he knows nothing about." Many topics and ideas in this class may be rather new and different from the thinking and activities you have grown up with. I will not be asking you to believe anything new in this class. I will ask you to suspend judgment about the things you see and hear, and the things that we discuss. Just let the ideas work in you and see what value they have for you. Regardless of how strange the ideas and activities might seem, they have been found to be useful in reducing stress, gaining greater control of our lives, and attaining greater levels of inner peace. If you choose to take this course, please allow yourself to dive in and get really wet. My commitment to you is that if you do, it may be the most valuable course you will ever take.
Important Information:
Taking an online course requires independent study and
self-motivation. Students who take this course are advised to follow
the guidelines carefully to complete the coursework ON
TIME. Since you are not meeting in a classroom setting, you
will be required to complete the class AT THE PACE DIRECTED ON THE
SCHEDULE. Do not let yourself get behind. There is no extra credit
and late work will not be accepted. (I don't know how to emphasize
this more emphatically.)
Expect to spend the same amount of time working on this on-line course as you would an in-class course (this includes the time you would have actually spent in-class).
Late Work: No late work will be accepted. Any of the chapter's work may be completed earlier than the week scheduled on the syllabus. If you don't complete an assignment by the due date it will show up as a "0".
Extra Credit: No extra credit happens in this class.
Academic Dishonesty: Any individual caught cheating on quizzes, plagiarizing or copying another person's homework will receive an automatic "E" for their final grade. Furthermore, a letter will go into the student's file describing the situation.
Students with Disabilities: "Any student requiring accommodations or serviced due to a disability must contact Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) in room 181 of the Student Services Center. SSD can also arrange to provide course materials (including the syllabus) in alternative formats if necessary."
Dr. Michael Olpin.
Copyright 2007
Weber State University.
All rights reserved.
